ES2961157A2 - Slat fence with improved bracing (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Slat fence with improved bracing. The invention relates to a fence (C) comprising posts (100a, 100b), slats (200) and braces (300), said posts (100a and 100b) being preformed profiled elements with at least one vertical recess (110a), which stands out in that the brace (300) is preformed with male and/or female shapes for clamping fixation to the lower longitudinal edge (220) of the slat (200) arranged above and to the upper longitudinal edge (230) of the slat (200) arranged below, and in which the brace (300) and the flanges (220, 230) are dimensioned in such a way that the width of the assembly made in the vicinity of the brace (300), between the brace (300) and the two edges (220, 230) between which it is inserted, is greater than the distance of the vertical edges (111a, 112a) of the recess so that it creates a horizontal restriction on said vertical edges (110a, 112a). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Slat fence with improved creep

Scope of application of the invention

The invention is related to the field of fences built with rigid elements that include slats and posts, and more specifically its purpose is certain adaptations that allow optimizing the union between the slats and the competition of said slats with the posts.

Description of previous art

In the field of fences built with rigid elements consisting of slats and posts, it is known that the slats are placed between the pre-installed posts by sliding the ends of said slats into vertical grooves or recesses arranged in the posts.

It is also known that braces are used to ensure the positioning and distance between the slats.

These struts can be preformed to accommodate the edge of the slat and/or to orient the latter.

Document JP2001295510 describes a fence whose structure comprises simple or preformed braces with slots on its upper and lower surface in which the low and high longitudinal edges of the slats are respectively positioned in order to place them, for example, in blinds. To do this, the slot provided on the upper surface is preformed at the opposite end of that to which the slot provided on the lower surface is preformed.

Document WO2007140516 describes a barrier system consisting of a plurality of slats and slats and a plurality of retaining elements or posts. Each retaining element has a vertical channel to receive the ends of the slats and has a plurality of interposition elements or struts, each being positionable between adjacent slats, the interposition elements being configured to obtain a desired angle of the slats and act as a support for a rear slat, so that, when the barrier is assembled, the separation of the interposition elements by the slats presents a series of slits that fix the slats in place inside the channel without the need for fixing accessories. additional fixings.

However, this type of design has the drawbacks described below.

The assembly operation consists of systematically alternating the sliding of the slats on the posts already placed, on the one hand, and the sliding of the two braces on the posts, on the other hand, before fitting the next slat, and so on. . The ends of the slats and braces slide into the vertical slots or recesses made in the posts. The positioning of the slat with respect to the brace or vice versa results in long assembly times. Furthermore, once the elements slide onto the posts, assembly with matching shapes is not easy.

Sliding is therefore necessary for assembly and increasing the clearance can facilitate operations, but has the disadvantage of leaving the ends of the slats without a means of fastening, which can cause noise when the assembled fence is exposed to the wind.

The variability of the dimensions of the different elements that work together increases the phenomenon of clearance between the slats and clearance between the slats and the posts.

Even when slack is not present during assembly, it can occur through expansion or retraction when the assembled fence is exposed to the vagaries of the weather.

A solution to solve this problem consisted of manufacturing the constituent elements of the fence with stricter dimensional restrictions, which had the effect of increasing costs without the result being guaranteed.

Another solution was to use a gluing medium or an additional fixing medium such as a screw to ensure it stayed in position, which increased the cost and time of assembly.

Brief description of the invention

In view of this, the applicant carried out research with a view to solving the drawbacks of prior art fences.

These investigations led to the conception and realization of a fence that solved not only the problems of assembly time, but also those related to the clearance necessary for assembly.

According to the invention, the fence comprises posts, slats and braces;

said posts are preformed profiled elements with at least one vertical recess, the recess having a defined opening for two vertical profile edges,

The slats are elongated elements with two lateral ends and comprising a lower longitudinal edge and an upper longitudinal edge, the slats slide between two posts,

The lateral ends of the slats are positioned in the recess of the posts, the thickness of the slats allows them to slide between the vertical edges of the recess opening,

A brace is inserted between each end of the slats.

This fence stands out because

The brace has a lower surface and an upper surface and is preformed:

of male and/or female shapes on its upper surface for clamping fixation to the lower longitudinal edge of the slat arranged above the brace and

of male and/or female shapes on its lower surface for clamping fixation to the upper longitudinal edge of the slat arranged below the brace and in which

The brace and the edges of the slats are sized in such a way that the width of the assembly produced in the vicinity of the brace, between the brace and the two longitudinal edges between which it is inserted, is greater than the distance of the vertical edges that They define the opening of the recess so that a horizontal restriction is created on said vertical edges, guaranteeing the fastening of the assembly in the recess.

This feature is particularly advantageous in that it avoids alternating between the assembly of the slats and the assembly of the braces. The braces are mounted directly on the slat before sliding, making it easy to install. The assembly procedure, which consists of fixing the braces on the slat before sliding the assembly on the posts, avoids the separate sliding of the braces on the posts between each sliding of the slat. Therefore, assembly takes less time.

The brace is attached to the two slats between which it is sandwiched.

Therefore, the slats are held together thanks to the braces independently of the posts.

Furthermore, the way the slats are held in position on the posts has been particularly judiciously designed, proposing the creation of a horizontal restraint once the two slats are mounted on the brace.

Therefore, the fixation of the slats to the posts occurs through this horizontal restriction on the vertical edges of the recess. The sum of the horizontal dimensions of the assembly of slats and braces, being greater than the distance of the vertical edges of the recess, guarantees locking. This feature does not prevent easy and quick assembly, it is already done when two slats (lower and upper) work with the brace.

The greatest sum of the dimensions can be obtained by using one or more elements of dimensions such that their sum exceeds that of the distance or by deforming the cooperating elements so that, once deformed, the sum of the dimensions dimensions of the deformed elements exceed that of the distance. This greater addition or this deformation takes place not only at the level of the brace, but also in its vicinity, that is, in the vicinity of the latter.

In this way, the sliding of the lower slat plus strut assembly is possible and the restriction of keeping it in position is not created until the next assembly slides in the recesses or in their vicinity.

This technical feature allows us to solve the clearance problem inherent to the variability of the dimensions of the different elements that work together.

The fence of the invention is rigid and no element is susceptible to movement after final assembly, for example, during exposure to wind.

Therefore, its assembly procedure stands out in that it ensures a fastening operation by placing the upper slat on the assembly formed by the lower slat and the already assembled struts.

In most situations, the brace does not work directly with the post. The hollow volume of the recess that houses, in most situations, the brace is considerably greater than that of the brace itself. Therefore, the assembly formed by the brace associated with the slat slides very easily in the recess to reach its final position on the board or panel formed by the stacked slats. This also provides a high degree of tolerance in the positioning of the braces on the slat before sliding the assembly onto the posts.

Another effect of this design is that the brace may not be visible from the outside once mounted, as it is hidden in the recess. The brace can be placed outside and in the vicinity of the recess, maintaining the same technical effects. However, according to a preferred feature, said braces are sandwiched between the lateral ends and are positioned in the recesses of the posts.

In order to facilitate assembly, the male/female forms working together between the slat and the brace are oriented vertically so that the vertical translational movement during sliding of the slat ensures the cooperation of the lower longitudinal flange with the brace and causes the creation of the horizontal constraint that guarantees its position.

This blockage that is generated with each sliding of an upper slat with the braces installed on the upper edge of the slat immediately above creates a horizontal restriction that takes care of expansions. However, in order to have identical expansion, the brace is manufactured, according to a preferred embodiment, from the same material as the slats. According to another embodiment, the brace, the slats and the posts are made of the same material. According to one embodiment, the brace is made of a plastic material. According to a preferred embodiment, the brace is made of aluminum.

Therefore, positioning tolerances can be larger and manufacturing costs are reduced.

The brace can work with tubular or non-tubular slats, whether arranged in a blind or not.

According to a preferred embodiment, the slats are not tubular and have upper and lower longitudinal edges offset so that they present an inclined median surface.

According to another preferred embodiment, the slats are not tubular and have coplanar upper and lower longitudinal edges so that they have a vertical median surface.

Of course, other slat profiles are possible.

The use of non-tubular slats is more economical, since there is only one fabric.

According to another particularly advantageous feature of the invention, the brace is a profiled element with a quadrilateral section.

whose lower side is preformed with a lower horizontal extension at whose distal end a vertical portion protrudes upwards,

whose upper side is preformed with an upper horizontal extension in the opposite direction to the lower horizontal extension at whose distal end a vertical portion protrudes downwards.

According to a preferred embodiment, the profile of the brace has a central symmetry. It is understood that this configuration allows this brace to be used on both sides and avoids the creation of specific braces to the right or left of the slat or to the profile oriented to the recess of the post.

According to another particularly advantageous feature of the invention, the lower and upper longitudinal edges of the slats adopt a U-shaped profile into which the vertical portions of the brace are inserted during assembly. Thus, once assembled, the slats can hide the braces, allowing the following feature to be provided without affecting the aesthetics.

According to another particularly advantageous feature of the invention, the fence comprises at least one additional brace arranged between the two ends of the slat in order to prevent the bending of these elongated elements and to increase the rigidity of the panel formed by the slats. The presence of this intermediate brace facilitates the use of non-tubular slats. In addition, it allows a greater distance to be used between posts or allows the presence of a post to be avoided without compromising aesthetics, since it remains hidden as it is covered laterally by the projections of the slats.

According to another particularly advantageous feature of the invention, the fence comprises a profile with a vertical projection that is fixed between the posts to the support on which the posts are fixed and with which the lower longitudinal edge of the first slat fitted into the posts works. . This low fixation profile ensures the interface between the board formed by the slats and the support on which the posts are fixed. This guarantees good fixation and good rigidity of the board. It is an alternative that is simpler to fix and more economical compared to using the brace for this same purpose.

According to another particularly advantageous feature of the invention, the vertical recess of the post comprises a preformed bottom with a reception area in which the width is defined so that an elongated brace can be fixed by fixing the last slat fitted to the posts. in the same position as the previous slats, with the objective of preventing the upper part of this last slat from tilting towards one side or the other of the recess under the action of the wind in the absence of guaranteed mechanical resistance. This feature contributes to both the fixation and the rigidity of the board, by using the same brace profile but of different lengths. Being longer, this brace will not only ensure the horizontal restriction described above on the edges of the recess, but will also fix itself to the bottom of the recess preformed for this purpose, something that the other shorter braces do not do, to avoid any obstacle. during the sliding and placement of the first slats.

According to another particularly advantageous feature of the invention, said reception area houses slats with different profiles. This reception area is not exclusively intended to accommodate elongated braces, but can also accommodate different slats, which makes the posts, and therefore the fence, multipurpose. Thus, to form certain boards, there is no need to use a brace. This is the case, for example, when the slats are tubular with a rectangular section placed on top of each other. The slats can then be longer and work directly with said reception area.

The assembly obtained is precise and without play. In fact, being at the bottom of the recess, this reception area has more precise dimensions with tighter tolerances than those that define the distance between the vertical edges that constitute the opening of the recess.

According to a particularly advantageous feature of the invention, at least one post includes an upright and a fixing base associated with its lower end, an additional vertical profile that is associated with said upright, which is preformed vertically over its height by male and/or female shapes. or female with which the additional vertical profile works as reinforcement. This feature makes it possible to propose, when necessary, a reinforcement on the post so as to avoid any deformation in the event of high restriction linked to the wind resistance of the fence.

The fundamental concepts of the invention have been set forth above in their most elementary form, other details and characteristics will become clearer upon reading the following description and in relation to the attached drawings, which give, by way of non-limiting examples, ways of realization of a fence according to the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing of an exterior perspective view of a fence section according to the invention;

Fig. 2a is a schematic drawing of a profile view of an embodiment of the brace according to the invention;

Fig. 2b is a schematic drawing of an exterior perspective view of said brace;

Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective drawing of a fence slat on which two braces have been mounted;

Fig. 4 is a schematic drawing of a profile view of the fence slat on which two braces have been mounted;

Fig. 5a is a schematic drawing of a profile view of the fence slat on which two braces sliding on a post have been mounted;

Fig. 5b is a schematic drawing of a top view of the end of the fence slat of Figure 5a slid onto a post;

Fig. 5c is a schematic drawing of a top view of the end of the fence slat of Figure 5a slid onto a reinforced post;

Fig. 6a is a schematic drawing of a profile view of two fence slats working together with the same brace and sliding on a post;

Fig. 6b is a schematic drawing of a profile view of the cooperation of a brace with two slats;

Fig. 7 is a schematic drawing of a partial sectional view along a median plane of the rear part of the fence section housing the low fixing profile and the intermediate brace;

Fig. 8a is a schematic drawing of a top view of the upper part of the fence board that houses the elongated brace;

Fig. 8b is a schematic drawing of a perspective view of the upper part of the fence board that houses the elongated brace;

Fig. 9 is a schematic drawing of a profile view of the fence board that houses a straight slat.

Description of preferred embodiments

Figure 1 illustrates a section of a fence called C as a whole and which is a fence of rigid elements that comprises:

-posts, of which two 100a and 100b are illustrated,

-horizontal slats 200, and

-braces (not illustrated in this general figure because they are not directly visible from the outside)

As illustrated for the post 100a in Figures 5a and 5b, said posts are profiled elements preformed by at least one vertical recess (here two) 110a, the recess having an opening 120a defined by two vertical profile edges 111a and 112a.

As illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the slats 200 are elongated elements with two lateral ends 210a and 210b and comprise a lower longitudinal edge 220 and an upper longitudinal edge 230.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the slats 200 slide between the two posts 100a and 100b.

As illustrated for the post 100a and for the end 210a in Figure 5b, the side ends of the slats 200 are positioned in the recesses (here the recess 110a of the post 100a).

As illustrated in Figure 5a, the thickness of the slats 200 allows them to slide between the vertical edges 111a and 112a of the opening 120a of the recess 110a of the post 100a.

The brace 300 that is sandwiched between each end of the slats 200 and placed in the vertical recesses is illustrated from Figures 2a and 2b. As it appears in Figure 5b, it has dimensions that are vastly smaller than those of the recess that houses it.

As illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b, the brace 300 is a profiled element with a quadrilateral section in its middle part,

whose lower side 310 is preformed with a lower horizontal extension 311 at whose distal end a vertical portion 312 protrudes upwards,

whose upper side 320 is preformed with an upper horizontal extension 321 in the opposite direction to the lower horizontal extension 311 at whose distal end a vertical portion 322 protrudes downwards.

These vertical positions 312 and 322 constitute the male shapes with which the longitudinal edges of the slats 200 work.

To do this, as illustrated in Figure 4, the lower longitudinal edges 220 and upper 230 of the slats 200 adopt a U-shaped profile into which the vertical portions 321 and 322 of the brace are inserted during assembly. As illustrated, the U-shaped profile of the longitudinal flanges has sections of different lengths, the external section being longer so that once placed with the brace, the latter is hidden.

In order to propose a blind configuration, the slats 200 have upper 230 and lower 220 longitudinal edges displaced so that they present an inclined middle surface 240. However, this displacement allows the end 210a of the slat to slide in the recess between the vertical edges 112a and 111a.

Another embodiment of the slats according to the invention is illustrated in Figure 9 where the slats 200' have a straight and vertical shape. The brace 300 is the same, the slats 200' are simply oriented in opposition.

As illustrated, the male/female shapes that work together between the slat 200 and the brace 300 are oriented vertically so that a vertical translation movement (according to arrow F1) ensures the cooperation of said shapes. The fixation between the brace and the slats is carried out by clamping not only the vertical portions 321 and 322 in the U-shaped profiles of the longitudinal edges, but also the internal section of the U in the space that separates the vertical portion of the rest of the quadrilateral profile.

In order to facilitate cooperation, the ends of the U-shaped profile sections and the vertical portions are beveled.

As illustrated in Figures 6a and 6b, the brace 300 and the edges 220 and 230 of the slats are dimensioned in such a way that the width of the assembly made at the level of the brace 300 between the brace and the two longitudinal edges 220 and 230 between which it is inserted is greater than the distance of the vertical edges 111a and 112a that define the opening 120a of the recess 110a. Thus, when a slat 200 slides between the posts to position itself on top of another slat 200 provided with braces 300 already positioned, the vertical translation movement according to arrow F1 allows the male and female forms to work together. Their cooperation constitutes an addition of dimensions where the sum is greater than the dimension separating the vertical edges 111a and 112a from the recess. Thus, the assembly of the second flange on the brace 300 creates a horizontal restriction according to the arrows F2 on each side of the assembly, a restriction that assumes the retention of the slats on the posts.

As illustrated in Figure 7, to optimize the fixation and rigidity of the board formed by the slats 200, the fence comprises a support 400 with a vertical projection 410 that is fixed between the posts on the support S on which the poles. As illustrated, the lower longitudinal edge 220 of the first slat 200 embedded in the posts works with the vertical projection 410.

Furthermore, the fence comprises at least one additional brace 300 arranged between the two ends of the slat 200 in the middle part in order to prevent the bending of these elongated elements and to increase the rigidity of the panel or board formed by the slats.

As illustrated in Figures 8a and 8b, the vertical recess 110a of the post 100a comprises a preformed bottom of a reception area 130a, the width of which is defined so that an elongated brace 500 can be fixed to optimize the fixation of the last slat. 200 from the board. This reception area 130a is formed by two internal projections 131a and 132a whose distance allows a tight fit with the elongated brace 500.

The elongated brace 500 is made from the same profile as the brace 300, only changing its length.

In order to facilitate the fixation of the elongated brace 500 between the two projections 131a and 132a. The profile of the brace comprises the triangular projections 313 and 323 (see Figure 2a) in the extension of the lower sides 310 and upper 320 at the base of the associated vertical projections. The angle of the triangle forms an edge that is in contact only with the projections 131a and 132a.

As illustrated in Figures 5b and 5c, the post 100a includes a upright 140a and a fixing base 150a associated with its lower end (a configuration that is repeated in the different posts illustrated in the figures). When necessary, for example when the fence is subjected to large gusts of wind, an additional vertical profile 160a can be associated with the upright 140a. To do this, the profile of the upright 140a of the post 100a is preformed vertically with a slot 141a. This slot adopts a profile that proposes male and/or female shapes with which the female and/or male shapes proposed by the additional vertical profile 160a work as reinforcement.

It is understood that the fence described and depicted above has been designed with disclosure and not limitations in mind. Therefore, various changes, modifications and improvements can be made to the above examples, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (11)

1.- Fence (C) that includes posts (100a, 100b), slats (200) and braces (300); said posts (100a and 100b) are preformed profiled elements of at least one vertical recess (110a), the recess (110a) has an opening (120a) defined by two vertical edges (I l l a, 112a) of profiles, The slats (200) are elongated elements with two lateral ends and comprising a lower longitudinal edge (220) and an upper longitudinal edge (230), the slats (200) slide between two posts, The lateral ends of the slats are positioned in the recess (110a) of the posts, the thickness of the slats (200) allows them to slide between the vertical edges (I l la, 112a) of the opening (120a) of the recess (110a ), A brace (300) is inserted between each end of the slats (200), CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT The brace (300) has a lower surface and an upper surface and is preformed: of male and/or female shapes on its upper surface for clamping fixation to the lower longitudinal edge (220) of the slat (200) arranged above the brace (300) and of male and/or female shapes on its lower surface for clamping fixation to the upper longitudinal edge (230) of the slat (200) arranged below the brace (300), AND BY THE FACT THAT the brace (300) and the edges (220, 230) of the slats (200) are sized in such a way that the width of the assembly made in the vicinity of the brace (300), between the brace (300) and the two longitudinal edges (220, 230 ) between which it is inserted, is greater than the distance of the vertical edges (I l l a, 112a) that define the opening (120a) of the recess (110) so that they create a horizontal restriction on said vertical edges (110a, 112a) . 2. - Fence (C) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the male/female shapes that work together between the slat (200) and the brace (300) are oriented vertically so that the vertical translation movement during The sliding of the slat (200) ensures the cooperation of the lower longitudinal edge (220) with the brace (300) and causes the creation of the horizontal restriction. 3. - Fence (C) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT IT comprises at least one additional brace (300) arranged between the two ends of the slat (200). 4. - Fence (C) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the vertical recess (110a) of the posts (100a) comprises a preformed bottom of a reception area (130a) whose width is defined so that it is can fix an elongated brace (500) for fixing the last slat fitted to the posts (100a, 100b). 5. - Fence (C) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT IT comprises a profile (400) with a vertical projection (410) that is fixed between the posts (100a, 100b) on the support (S) on the to which the posts (100a, 100b) are fixed and with which the lower longitudinal edge (220) of the first slat fitted into the posts (100a, 100b) works. 6. - Fence (C) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the slats (200) are not tubular and have upper (230) and lower (220) longitudinal edges displaced so that they present a median inclined surface (240). ). 7. - Fence (C) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the brace (300) is a profiled element with a quadrilateral section whose lower side (310) is preformed with a lower horizontal extension in which distal end protrudes upwards a vertical portion (312), whose upper side (320) is preformed with an upper horizontal extension (321) in the opposite direction to the lower horizontal extension (311) at whose distal end a vertical portion (322) protrudes downwards. 8. - Fence (C) according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the lower longitudinal edges (220) and upper (230) of the slats (200) adopt a U-shaped profile into which the portions are inserted. verticals (312, 322) of the brace (300) during assembly, 9. - Fence (C) according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT said struts (300) are inserted between the lateral ends and are positioned in the recesses (110a) of the posts (100a), 10. - Fence (C) according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT said reception area (130a) houses slats of different profiles. 11. - Fence (C) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT at least one post (100a) includes a upright (140a) and a fixing base (150a) associated with its lower end, a profile additional vertical (160a) that is associated with said upright (140a), said upright (140a) being preformed vertically surmounted by male and/or female shapes (141a) with which the additional vertical profile (160a) works as reinforcement.