ES2670708T3 - Connecting device of a ceiling suspended in a tray - Google Patents

Abstract

Suspension device (1) of a false ceiling structure on a roof slab (5), comprising: - a rod (2), - at least one bracing means (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) fixed so removable on the rod (2), the bracing means being defined by an edge (30A, 30B, 30C, 30D), said upper edge, a surface or support area, intended to rest against the slab (5) of the fixed roof , characterized in that the bracing means is composed of at least two rigid bracing elements (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D), fixed on the rod (2), each of the bracing elements (3A, 3B, 3C) comprising , 3D) two free longitudinal edges (or ends) (31A, 32A; 31B, 32B; 31C, 32C; 31D, 32D), whose edge (31A, 31B, 31C, 31D), called the proximal edge, is likely to be coupled with the proximal edge of at least one other element, the coupled edges making a tubular element (4) capable of receiving the rod (2).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Connecting device of a ceiling suspended in a tray

The present invention relates to a joining device between a roof of a construction, generally formed by a concrete slab, and a suspended structure, located in a plane parallel to the ceiling and at a distance from it.

The device of the invention is intended for the construction field, for the manufacture of structures of the type of suspended ceiling or false ceiling, comprising hangers that join the ceiling slab, in a suspended structure, which may be composed, for example, of series of straight section profiles in several ways: in C, in omega, in I, in L, etc. in which insulation or plaster slabs are fixed. This structure called false ceiling is suspended in the slab.

The invention relates more particularly to the joining device between the fixed slab and the suspended structure, a device called hanger.

The most commonly used hangers consist of metal rods, generally threaded rods, one end of which is fixed on the slab by means of a wedge, and the other end is fixed on profiles of the suspended structure thanks to a generally piece of complementary form to the profile on which the hanger is fixed.

The space between the ceiling slab and the suspended structure, also called the air chamber, has a variable height. The rigidity of the hanger rods located in this space to join the fixed ceiling slab to the suspended ceiling, must adapt to the dimensions of the suspended ceiling and, especially, to the distance that separates it from the slab.

In fact, it is accepted that, for suspended ceilings located at a relatively small distance, generally less than a threshold value of the order of 30 cm, from the ceiling slab, the rigidity of the hanger rods does not pose any particular problem.

However, the greater the distance and, in particular, greater than the distance of the previous threshold, the more necessary it is to stiffen the hanger rods, which, by default, would present risks of deformation.

Certain known types of installation, such as suspended medical devices, require the use of specific hangers whose rigidity allows the suspended ceiling to support the weight of said devices. The hangers therefore consist of profiles whose cross section is of the same order of magnitude as the profiles that constitute the suspended structure. In this way, hangers are extremely rigid, allowing heavy medical devices to be suspended.

The main drawback of this known system is the cost generated by the manufacture of such hangers, and the weight they add to the suspended ceiling.

In addition, these known hangers are oversized compared to the suspension needs of a suspended ceiling of a building for housing or offices, whose structure is generally made of aluminum.

The prior art DE2343713B1 describes a suspension device according to the preamble of claim 1.

In order to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks, the invention proposes a lightweight, easy-to-manufacture, low-cost, detachable suspension device that has a greater rigidity to prevent it from being deformed and so that its fixation to the slab is reliable also allowing its rigidity to withstand relatively heavy appliances.

To this end, according to the invention, the suspension device of a false ceiling structure in a ceiling slab comprises:

- a rod,

- at least one bracing means removably fixed on the rod, the bracing means being defined by an edge, said upper edge, a surface or support area, intended to rest against the fixed roof slab,

characterized in that the bracing means is composed, at least, of two rigid bracing elements, fixed on the rod, each of the bracing elements comprising two free longitudinal edges (or ends), whose edge, called the proximal edge, is liable to be coupled with the proximal edge of at least one other element, forming the coupled edges making a tubular element adapted to receive the rod.

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This bracing means makes it possible to guarantee the stability of the rod and prevent its deformation, by opposing the reaction forces exerted on the rod in a direction substantially parallel to the slab.

"Removable fixation" means the fact that the bracing means can be disassembled from the rod. The hanger is therefore stiffened by the bracing means, which can be removed or added during the installation of the suspended ceiling, as desired.

The bracing elements are mainly in the form of wings or plates that extend longitudinally and parallel to the suspended rod, one of whose longitudinal edges is provided with a folded part. The plates are diametrically opposed with respect to each other.

The bracing elements each comprise two free longitudinal edges (or ends), called proximal edge and distal edge with respect to the rod.

Advantageously, the coupling is such that the rotation around the rod of an element is blocked. This is called a self-locking system.

Preferably, each proximal edge of each bracing element collaborates with the proximal edge of each of the other bracing elements.

The tubular element thus formed has a length (along the longitudinal axis of the rod) of at least 5 cm, preferably greater than 10 cm and, even more preferably, greater than 15 cm. This length corresponds to the length of the bracing elements.

More precisely, the proximal edge of each bracing element capable of being coupled with the edge of another bracing element, comprises, at least three successive folded panels according to folding lines, so that they form an angle, at least 30 ° (preferably 90 °) from one panel to the next, the three panels of a first element being complementary to three panels of a second element in order to form the tubular element.

The width of a bracing element corresponds to the width of the last folding line moving away from the rod. This width corresponds to the radius of the total surface on which the device is inscribed and on which the slab is intended to rest.

It is understood by panels, flat parts of variable width, which constitute the different sides of the complementary ends of the flat elements.

Alternatively, the bracing elements are identical to each other, and comprise a terminal panel that extends in a transverse dimension to the tubular element (or the rod) at its free end, preferably forming a panel or plate, generally square or rectangular.

Therefore, preferably, the bracing elements are U-shaped, and, even more preferably, one branch is substantially longer than the others, to result in a J-shape.

Preferably, the complementary proximal edges of the bracing elements can freely engage with each other and around the rod.

By "coupling freely", it should be understood that the ends engage with each other without friction:

- between its panels and the rod: the rod is then able to slide in the tubular element formed in this way;

- between the different end panels: the bracing elements are capable of sliding longitudinally along the rod, with respect to each other.

Therefore, to disassemble the device, it is possible to slide the tubular element formed by the proximal edges of the bracing elements, along the rod, and then decouple the proximal edges by sliding them vertically with respect to each other. .

Preferably, the folds of the complementary proximal panels of each bracing element, according to a given angle, leave a space of greater width than the diameter of the rod, allowing said ends to engage the rod.

In this way, it is possible to remove each bracing element around the rod, after having them slide one after the other along the rod, so that the space necessary to remove it from the rod is created. In the case of suspension devices smaller than or equal to half the height of the air chamber, the device is removable even after it is installed in a suspended device.

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The suspension device advantageously comprises four bracing elements whose complementary proximal edges, in the orthogonal panels, are U-shaped, cross-sectional view, and preferably, one of the branches of each U (terminal panel) forms the mentioned panel or plate previously.

In this way, the four units fit into each other, forming an orthogonal mesh.

In one embodiment of the invention, the bracing elements are a metallic piece of sheet steel, preferably protected against corrosion, advantageously by galvanization.

Advantageously, the bracing elements have a thickness greater than or equal to 15 mm / 10 mm, and a height of 20 cm, and are coupled on rods of 6 mm diameter.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device of the invention is composed of a threaded metal rod, at least a part of its length, capable of being fixed at its upper end to the fixed slab, and at its lower end to the structure in suspension, the rigid bracing elements being arranged, which form the rod bracing system, near its upper end, and being intended to be in contact with the slab and to rest against the latter, said elements being immobilized, on the other part, on the rod, by at least one nut coupled on the rod.

The contact lines of the bracing elements with the slab form a bracing system, thus defining a surface capable of resting against the ceiling slab, which allows stabilizing the rod fixation in the slab and further stiffening the rod .

A bracing element therefore forms, by the upper edge, a support surface, which comprises a secondary portion associated with the tubular element, and a main portion associated with the wing.

Alternatively, the suspension device comprises two sets of bracing elements:

- a first set called superior, capable of leaning against the slab;

- a second set called lower, located below the first set, towards the suspended ceiling.

In this way, in the case of suspended ceilings arranged at distances greater than 30 cm from the fixed slab, the rigidity of the suspension rod is improved.

On the other hand, the invention solves the problem of the propagation of air currents, in the air chamber, between the slab and the suspended ceiling.

It is necessary to limit or impede the circulation of air in this volume, which implies a risk of promoting the spread of fires.

To this end, the device comprising at least two suspension devices (each including a rod and its associated bracing elements), further includes at least one network capable of being fixed on a respective bracing element of each suspension device, said net being therefore in a plane orthogonal to the slab and parallel to the rod.

According to one characteristic, this network has a height less than or preferably equal to the height of the air chamber, and a length equal to the distance between two adjacent hangers, and is adapted to be fixed at one of its ends to a bracing element. of a first hanger, and at its opposite end to a bracing element of a second hanger.

In this way, the network allows to cut the volume of the air chamber, which limits the air circulation and, therefore, limits the spread of fire.

Preferably, the device comprises a network for each bracing element of a device of the invention.

In this way, the networks are capable of being arranged in the air chamber orthogonally to the suspended ceiling, depending on whether they are parallel planes or diagonal planes.

Preferably, the networks for trimming the volume of the air chamber are plasterboard, cement or wood, even preferably plasterboard.

In view of the description, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "superior", "inferior", "above", "below", "proximal", "distal", "transverse", "longitudinal", mean qualifying elements of the elements within the framework of a suspension installation on a ceiling, the rod being oriented in a vertical direction.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will appear in the description that follows with the aid of only illustrative and not at all limiting examples of the scope of the invention, and from the accompanying drawings, in which:

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- Figure 1 is a partial schematic perspective view of a concrete slab in which a suspended ceiling structure is suspended, with the aid of suspension devices of the present invention, the slab being represented in section;

- Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the suspension device of the invention, fixed to a ceiling plate, the slab being represented in section;

- Figure 3 is a top view, schematic, in perspective, of an example of a suspension device of the invention, presenting four bracing elements, certain edges of the elements being represented in gray / dots for reasons of understanding;

- Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a bracing element of Figure 3, showing the different panels of the complementary end;

- Figure 5 is a schematic top view of an example of a suspension device of Figure 3, showing the coupling of the four bracing elements around the rod;

- Figure 6 is a top view, schematic, in perspective, of the device of Figure 3, the four bracing elements being longitudinally offset, and the rod being outside the tubular element;

- Figure 7 is a top view, schematic, in perspective, of the device of Figure 3, showing the complementary ends, capable of accommodating the rod, said rod being outside the tubular element;

- Figure 8 is a schematic perspective top view of a suspension device of the invention in which one of the bracing elements is being disassembled;

- Figure 9 is a partial schematic, top perspective view of a concrete slab in which a suspended ceiling structure is suspended, with the aid of the suspension device of the invention, which has two sets of four elements of bracing: upper set and lower set.

The figures are not represented to scale for easy understanding.

With reference to FIG. 1, a concrete slab 5 in which a suspended ceiling structure 11 is suspended is partially shown in perspective, with the aid of suspension devices 1 and 1 'according to the invention, being they are fixed to the slab 5 and to the suspended ceiling frame 11.

The false ceiling frame comprises parallel master beams called "main" 7 and 7 'and smaller profiles orthogonally fixed on the main ones orthogonally.

The suspension devices 1 and 1 'are arranged at a distance from each other, fixing respectively on the main 7 and 7'.

A panel or net 10, preferably of plaster, is fixed to the two suspension devices 1 and 1 'by two of their opposite ends 10A and 10B.

The suspension device 1 is fixed to the slab 5 by means of a wedge 6 of known type, and to the main 7 by means of a connecting piece 9 of known type, in a complementary manner to said profile.

The suspension device 1 comprises a rod 2, preferably threaded along its entire length, four substantially flat and rigid elements 3A to 3D (only 3A, 3C and 3D shown in Figure 1), preferably in sheet steel, fixed of removable manner on said rod, and at least one nut 8 which allows to keep the flat elements 3A to 3D in a given position on the rod 2.

Alternatively, as shown in Figure 9, for suspended ceilings 11 arranged at distances greater than twice the length "1" of a flat element 3A to 3D of the slab 5, the suspension device 1 also comprises a second set of four flat elements 3E to 3H, called lower assembly, located below the first set of flat elements 3A to 3D, therefore called upper assembly, towards the suspended ceiling. The notions of "lower" and "upper" are understood in the installed position of the suspended ceiling, the rod being vertical.

This lower set of elements 3E to 3H is maintained in a given longitudinal position on the rod 2, by at least one upper nut 80A and at least one lower nut 80B.

In one embodiment of the invention, the lower assembly 3E to 3H is maintained in a given longitudinal position on the bar, being supported against the base of the upper assembly 3A to 3D and against at least one lower nut 80B. Thus, the upper edges 30E to 30H of the flat elements 3E to 3H of the lower assembly are in contact with the lower edges 33A to 33D of the flat elements in 3A to 3D of the upper assembly (only 33A and 33D are visible in the figure 9).

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The removable fixation of the flat elements 3A to 3D on the rod 2 is analyzed in more detail later.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the net 10 is generally rectangular in shape, the long sides being parallel to the slab 5, and is arranged in an orthogonal plane to the slab 5 and to the profiles 7 and 7 '. Advantageously, it has a height (short sides) equal to or less than the height H of the air chamber, and a length "d" equal to the distance between the two rods 2 and 2 'of the devices of the invention 1 and 1 '(rod 2 not being visible in figure 1).

The flat elements 3A and 3C of the suspension device 1 are arranged in planes perpendicular to the profile 7, while the flat elements 3B and 3D are in planes parallel to the profile 7.

In the same way, the same flat elements 3'A and 3'C, and 3'B and 3'D and of the same device 1 'are in planes respectively perpendicular and parallel to the profile 7' (only 3'C and 3 'D are visible in figure 1).

Alternatively, the suspension devices 1 and 1 'are fixed in such a way that the flat elements 3A to 3D and 3'A to 3'D are in diagonal planes with respect to the profiles 7 and 7'. The network 10 is then superimposed on the air chamber in a plane orthogonal to the slab 5, but diagonally with respect to the profiles 7 and 7 '.

Advantageously, the suspension devices 1 and 1 'comprise a network 10 for each flat element 3A to 3D and 3'A to 3'D.

The rod 2 is embedded in the wedge 6 by its threaded upper end 21, and fixed to the connecting piece 9 by its threaded lower end 22. The rod preferably has a length of 30 cm and a diameter of 6 mm. It extends longitudinally along the vertical axis Z (Figure 3), while the associated flat elements 3A to 3D extend transversely to the rod, along axes parallel to the orthogonal axes X and Y.

Figure 2 shows that the flat elements 3A to 3D are coupled on the rod 2, in the vicinity of its upper end 21, to the slab 5, so that the upper edges or edges 30A to 30D (only 30A and 30D are visible in figure 2) of said elements are in contact with and lean against the slab 5. The elements 3A to 3D are immobilized on the rod by the nut 8 coupled in the threading of the rod 2.

The upper edges 30A to 30D define a surface or support area capable of supporting the slab 5, which allows the stabilization of the fixation of the rod 2 on the plate, opposing the reaction forces exerted on the rod in a direction substantially parallel to the slab 5, and also the stiffening of the rod 2.

Referring to Figures 3 and 5, the flat elements 3A to 3D, referred to below as bracing elements, are identical to each other. They are preferably 15/10 mm thick, and each comprise an edge (or end) 31A to 31D, called a proximal edge with respect to the rod, an edge (or end) 32A to 32D, called a distal edge with respect to to the rod.

The edges 31A to 31D are complementary, so that they are capable of engaging each other to form a tubular element 4 (in this case, a substantially square section) to receive the rod 2.

The proximal and distal edges 31A to 31D and 32A to 32D preferably have a length "l" of 20 cm. The length of the tubular element 4, on the longitudinal axis of the rod 2, formed by the edges 31A to 31D, corresponds to the length "l" preferably 20 cm of the edge elements 31A to 31D.

Figure 4 illustrates an isolated element 3A of the suspension device 1.

The proximal edge 31A has three panels 310A, 311A and 312A. These panels are flat rectangular-shaped parts of length "l" of 20 cm formed by the successive folding of the steel sheet, with an angle at 90 ° from one panel to the next, leaving a space 300A of width L greater than the diameter of the rod 2 which allows coupling the element 3A of the rod 2 (not shown).

The width of each panel 310A, 311A and 312A, in a horizontal plane transverse to the rod, is such that the diameter of the tubular element 4 formed by the complementarity of the edges 31A to 31D (Figure 5), is slightly larger than the diameter of the rod. This width of each panel is different from one flat panel to the other, so they are capable of coupling (Figure 5) with panels 310B, 311B, 312B; 310C, 311C, 312C; 310D, 311D, 312D respectively, of the other flat elements 3B, 3C and 3D.

The panel 312A preferably has a width of 0.7 cm, the panel 311A has a width, preferably 1.2 cm, while the terminal panel 310A extends in a direction transverse to the tubular element 4 (or to the rod 2) , at its free end 32A, to form the flat rectangular element 3A, preferably 5.5 cm wide.

Figure 5 shows from above the rod 2 and the four bracing elements 3A to 3D, of figure 3, said elements 3A to 3D being coupled together, each in its three panels at 90 °, in the rod 2 by its ends 31A to 31D, to form a mesh of orthogonal sides.

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The tubular element 4 is, therefore, delimited by four orthogonal sides 40A to 40D, each being constituted by three parallel panels 3l0, 311 and 312, which belong to a different bracing element 3A to 3D. Panels 310, 311 and 312 of each bracing element 3A to 3D are not represented in Figure 5 for readability reasons.

Therefore, the side 40A is constituted, from the outside towards the inside, by the panels 310A, 311D and 312C; side 40B is constituted by panels 310B, 311A and 312D; side 40C is constituted by panels 310C, 311B, 312A; the 40D side is constituted by panels 310D, 311C, 312B.

Referring to Fig. 6, the bracing elements 3A to 3D are capable of sliding longitudinally with respect to each other along the longitudinal axis of the rod 2. They engage with each other freely, without friction.

Figure 7 shows that the rod 2 is also capable of sliding freely, without friction, longitudinally in the tubular element 4 (of substantially square cross-section) whose four internal faces are constituted by the proximal panels 312A, 312B, 312C and 312D.

The placement of the elements 3A to 3D on the rod is explained below with reference to Figure 6.

The element 3A is coupled in the element 3B by sliding them longitudinally with respect to each other, the panel 312A being parallel to the panel 311B, and the panel 311A being parallel to the panel 310B.

In the same way, element 3C is coupled to element 3B, panel 310C being parallel to panels 311B and 312A and panel 311C being parallel to panel 312B.

On the other hand, the 3D element is coupled to the element 3C in the same manner as before, panel 310D being parallel to panels 311C and 312B, and panel 311D being parallel to panels 312C and 310A.

The tubular element 4 is delimited by the panels 312A to 312D in the vicinity of the rod 2 and the panels 310A to 310D remote from the rod 2, the panels 311A to 311D being located between the two.

Thus, the coupling of the ends 31A to 31D on the rod 2 is such that the rotation around the rod of an element 31a to 31D is blocked. The system is called self-locking.

Only panels 310D, 311C, 312B, and 310C, 311B, 312A are represented in Figure 6, for convenience.

Figure 8 illustrates the disassembly of the bracing system of a rod 2 whose length is at least twice the length "l" of the proximal edges 31A to 31D of the bracing elements 3A to 3D.

To disassemble the bracing system, the elements 3A to 3D are slid one after another along the rod 2 downwards (towards the false ceiling 11, not shown) after unscrewing the nut 8 of the rod 2.

When the element 3A is in the lower position (after having made it slide), a space 300A is created, which allows to decouple said element 3A from the rod 2. It is said that the bracing elements 3A to 3D are fixed so removable on rod 2.

Claims (8)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 1. Suspension device (1) of a false ceiling structure on a ceiling slab (5), comprising: - a rod (2), - at least one creeping means (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) removably fixed on the rod (2), the bracing means being defined by an edge (30A, 30B, 30C, 30D), said upper edge, a surface or support area, intended to rest against the slab (5) of the fixed roof, characterized in that the bracing means is composed of at least two rigid bracing elements (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D), fixed on the rod (2), each of the bracing elements (3A, 3B, 3C, comprising) 3D) two free longitudinal edges (or ends) (31A, 32A; 31B, 32B; 31C, 32C; 31D, 32D), whose edge (31A, 31B, 31C, 31D), called the proximal edge, is likely to be coupled with the proximal edge of at least one other element, the coupled edges making a tubular element (4) capable of receiving the rod (2). 2. Suspension device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said edge (31A, 31B, 31C, 31D) of each bracing element (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) capable of being coupled with the edge of another bracing element It comprises at least three panels (310A, 311A, 312A; 310B, 311B, 312B; 310C, 311C, 312C; 310D, 311D, 312D) successive bends along fold lines, so that an angle of at least 30 is formed °, preferably 90 °, from one panel to the next, the three panels of a first element being complementary to the three panels of a second element to provide the tubular element (4). 3. Suspension device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bracing elements (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) are identical to each other and comprise a terminal panel (310A, 310B, 310C, 310D) that extend according to a dimension transverse to the rod (2) by its free end (32A, 32B, 32C, 32D), preferably forming a panel or a plate, generally square or rectangular. 4. Suspension device according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the panel folds (310A, 311A, 312A; 310B, 311B, 312B; 310C, 311C, 312C; 310D, 311D, 312D) of the complementary ends (31A, 31B, 31C, 31D) of each bracing element (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D), according to a given angle, leave a space (300A, 300B, 300C, 300D) of width greater than the diameter of the rod, allowing said ends (31A, 31B, 31C, 31D) to engage on the rod (2). 5. Suspension device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises four bracing elements (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D), whose ends (31A, 31B, 31C, 31D) complementary to the panels (310A, 311A, 312A; 310B, 311B, 312B; 310C, 311C, 312C; 310D, 311D, 312D) orthogonal, U-shaped, cross-sectional view, and preferably one of the branches (310A, 310B, 310C, 310D ) of each U-shape forms the panel or plate mentioned above. 6. Suspension device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bracing elements (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) are a metallic piece of sheet steel, preferably protected against corrosion, advantageously by galvanization. 7. Suspension device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a metal rod (2) threaded at least a part of its length, capable of being fixed by one end (21) to the fixed slab (5) , and at its other end (22) to the suspended structure (11), the bracing elements (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) being arranged in the vicinity of its upper end (21), and being intended to be in contact with the slab (5) and to lean against the latter, said elements (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) being immobilized on the other hand on the rod (2) by at least one nut (8) coupled to the rod (2) . 8. Set of at least two suspension devices (1, 1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also includes at least one network (10) capable of being fixed on a bracing element (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D; 3'A, 3'B, 3'C, 3'D) of each respective suspension device (1, 1 '), said network (10) being therefore in a plane orthogonal to the slab (5 ) and parallel to the rod (2).