FR2516570A2 - Modular constructional section for indoor or outdoor use - is U=shaped with perforations in both sides to receive fixing screws - Google Patents

Abstract

The modular section is for indoor or outdoor architecture, particularly for furniture, for assembling parts together. The section is U-shaped (13,16) with a length (L) a multiple of a base section. The sides (14,18) of the section have perforations (15,19), into which fit fixtures.

Description

the present addition relates to improvements to the main patent, which describes a modular element for indoor or outdoor air conditioning, as well as a set of interior or exterior architecture, produced by means of an assembly of these elements.

 In interior architecture and decoration, these modular elements can be used for the manufacture of wall panels, ceilings, storage, shelves, office fixtures, living rooms, exhibition stores, floors , podiums, furniture, this list is not exhaustive.

 The main patent describes means for fixing the U-shaped profiles constituting the modular elements, such as rivets and angles, making it possible to secure the elements to a floor or to a wall.

 The purpose of this addition is to propose a number of more sophisticated fixing means, making it possible to assemble several modular elements together, and to fix some of these elements to surfaces which are no longer accessible after installation of said elements, ctest- ie in particular ceilings and floors.

 The object of the addition is also to produce support shelves which can be positioned in various ways between the vertical wings of the modular elements, in order to serve as shelves for receiving various objects or even as information supports, for example in office or exhibition hall layouts.

 According to the main patent, the set of interior or exterior architecture comprises an assembly of a series of modular elements whose widths and lengths of the wings are variable, this assembly being provided with means for fixing the elements. modular to each other by their wings.

In accordance with this addition, the wings of
certain modular elements being juxtaposed end to end
in the same plane, the fixing means comprise
flat plates, arranged on at least two wings placed
in the same plane and drilled with screw receiving holes
or plate assembly rivets to the wings of the elements.

These plates allow, depending on the number of holes
drilled in them, to maintain assembled two, three
or four vertical wings of modular elements, faciliti
so much the realization of a very high number of combi
reasons for these elements.

According to another improvement provided by the pre
feel addition, modular U-shaped elements have
vertical wings in each of which are formed at least vertically edged with perforations, and these elements are
fitted with shelves with lateral edges projecting towards the
bottom and in which are adapted notches
to receive assembly parts to the wings of the elements,
such as bolts or screws coming to engage in the per
wing holes, the shelves extending over a length
distance equal to the interval between the two vertical wings
of each item.

The notches on the side edges of the shelves are
distributed between the ends of these in such a way
that the shelves can be assembled between the wings in
taking steep inclinations between the horizontal and the
vertical, preferably three vertical rows of perfo
rations being provided in the wings of the modular elements.

This arrangement therefore makes it possible to make the ta
chard various angular positions between the horizontal or
they can receive various objects, and the vertical where
they can serve as panels carrying information intended for people passing in front of the elements to which the shelves are fixed, for example in an exhibition hall.

 According to another important characteristic of the addition, the means for fixing the modular elements include parts arranged to fix these elements on inaccessible surfaces after installation of these elements, such as floors, walls, ceilings, and each of these parts comprises a base pierced with a hole for receiving a retaining member on said surface, as well as at least two springs adapted to clamp between them at least one wing of a modular element to hold it in place by a latching means.

 It is understood that once these parts fixed to the surface which becomes inaccessible after installation of the modular elements, they can be subjected to said part simply, by simply sliding their wings between the elastic clamps formed by the springs.

 Other features and advantages of the addition will become apparent during the description which follows, given with reference to the accompanying drawings in which several non-limiting embodiments of the addition have been shown.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a set of ar
interior design including elements
modular, one of which has several ta
Swiss chard according to the bill.

Figure 2 is a partial elevational view with arra
showing a plate ensuring the assem
blage of the four wings of four elements in
the same vertical plane according to the addi
tion.

Figure 3 is a partial elevational view with arra
wing of a U-shaped element, provided
several tablets made according to the addi
tion.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing
a variant of the verti wing
wedge and shelves.

Figure 5 is a half-sectional mid-elevation view of a part
used to fix modular elements on
surfaces not accessible after installation of these
elements, such as floors, walls, etc.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the part at
level of the base of the springs.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the base
forming part of the part of figures 5 and 6.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the part of the
Figures 5 and 6,
comprising four springs each of which is
provided with two suitable snap-on members
to hold the wings of modular elements.

FIG. 9 is a plan view similar to FIG. 8,
showing the eight latching members of the
piece engaged in the wings of four elements
modular ensuring the assembly of these.

Figure 10 is a half-sectional mid-elevation view showing
a spring fixing piece, in which
are introduced two parallel wings of two
Adjoining modular elements.

Figure 11 is a half-sectional mid-elevation view similar to
Figure 10, but also showing a mode of
fixing to a surface such as a ceiling,
the snap retainer
modular elements.

Figure 12 is a mid-sectional mid-elevation view showing the
fastener of Figures 5 to 7, receiving
a wing of a modular element and itself
secured to a surface such as a plane
expensive.

 FIG. 1 shows an assembly of interior architecture in accordance with the main patent, and comprising an assembly of modular U-shaped elements, formed of vertical elements 1,2,3,4, assembled together by angles such as 5. This set also includes a pair of vertical modular elements, generally designated by the reference 6, the two U-shaped elements being nested one inside the other and assembled by means of plates 7 each pierced with two holes receiving screws or bolts not shown. We also see in Figure 1 a pair of horizontal modular elements 8 whose vertical wings are nested one inside the other and which are secured together as well as to the modular elements contiguous by parts not shown.

 The vertical wings of the elements 1, 3, 4 are each pierced with two vertical rows of perforations 9, the modular summer 1 being provided with two horizontal shelves 11. A horizontal shelf 12 is also disposed between one of the vertical wings of element 2 and a vertical wing of element 3, the latter being housed between the two vertical wings of element 2 and fixed to one of said wings. The shelves 11 and 12 are held by screws or bolts, not shown, engaged in the holes 9 under the shelves 11,12.

 According to a first improvement provided by the addition, the modular element 3 is provided with several shelves 13,14,15, each provided with a front edge 16 bent upwards. The shelves 13,14,15 extend over the interval between the vertical wings 3a of the element 3, the upper shelf 13 being arranged vertically, while the lower shelves 14 and 15 are inclined.

 It can be seen in FIG. 4, on which only two shelves 14.15 have been shown, that each of these is equipped with two lateral edges 17 at its ends, projecting downwards at right angles to the plane of the corresponding shelf . In each folded edge 17 are arranged notches 18, 4 in number at a rate of 2 at each end in the example shown. Each of these notches 18 is adapted to receive an assembly piece with a wing 3a, such as a screw or bolt, not shown, passing through a hole 9 corresponding to the notch 18.

By engaging two screws in two notches 18 and in two corresponding perforations 9, and this for each of the folded edges 17 of a shelf, it can be assembled with the vertical wings 3a, either horizontally as illustrated for the shelf 15, or in an intermediate angular position between the horizontal and the vertical, as shown for the shelf 14. Of course, the intervals between the perforations 9 and between the notches 18 are determined to allow such positioning of the shelves. It will be noted that the rear edges of the shelves 14, 15 are provided with folded projections or flanges 20 similar to the folded flanges 16, but folded in the opposite direction.

 The tablet 13 can between held vertically in the same way, by choosing the two notches 18 which are separated by a distance equal to the interval between two contiguous perforations 9 and located one above the other. The screws or bolts pinch the bent edges 17 against the wings 3a, which holds the shelf 13 in place, this vertical positioning can obviously also be achieved for any of the other shelves 14,15.

 There is shown in Figure 3 an alternative embodiment of the shelves and the corresponding vertical wings 3b, which are provided with three vertical rows of perforations 9. Correspondingly, each shelf 19 has two side edges 21 folded down, and each provided with 'A series of notches 22 suitably distributed between the ends of the folded edge 21. In the example described, these notches 22 are four in number, their positioning being determined in correspondence with the horizontal and vertical spacings between two consecutive perforations 9 for allow placing a shelf 19 in any angular position, between the vertical and 11 horizontal. In Figure 3 we thus see three possible angular positions of the shelf 19 between the horizontal and 450. In the horizontal (shelf 19 at the bottom), three notches 22 are used, in the intermediate position between the horizontal and 450, only the two terminal notches 22a.

are used, while in the tilted position at 450, only a middle notch 22 and the upper notch are used.

 It is noted that the median notches 22 have a V-shaped section, while the terminal notches 22a have a different, flat-bottomed section, 23.

 As in the previous embodiment, each shelf 19 is provided with a front edge folded upwards 24 and a rear edge folded downwards 25.

 The shelves 13, 14, 15, 19 can receive various objects when they are placed horizontally or in an inclined position, for example books, shoes, or serve as information carriers when they are arranged vertically.

 FIG. 2 shows a flat plate 26 of square shape, drilled in the vicinity of each of its vertices with a hole 27 for receiving screws or bolts or rivets, not shown. This plate is applied to 4 ails28 of four modular elements arranged in the same plane, and the ends of which are partially covered by the plate 26. After introduction of fixing members such as screws, bolts, etc. in the holes 27, and in corresponding perforations of the wings 28, these four wings 28, arranged in the same plane, for example vertical, can easily be assembled between them by means of the plate 26.

 Other fasteners can be used in the architectural assembly according to the invention, such as flat plates with two holes or three holes, or angles not shown, each consisting of three plates located in three perpendicular planes and drilled each of one or more holes.

 A description will now be given, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, of an embodiment of a part produced according to this addition, for fixing one or more modular elements to non-accessible surfaces after installation of these elements, such as floors, walls. , ceilings or to keep several of these elements together.

 The part 29 comprises a base or base 31 of circular shape, and at least two springs 32, preferably diametrically opposite, fixed by one of their ends to the base 31, these springs 32 being adapted to be able to clamp between them at at least one wing of a modular element and to hold it in place by a snap-fitting means.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7, the part 29 comprises four springs 32 arranged at angular intervals of 900 around base 31, which is pierced on its periphery with a series of holes 33 which can receive bolts 34 passing through the ends of the springs 32, in order to fix these to the base 31. This fixing is completed by the introduction of the ends 35 of the springs 32 into corresponding recesses or notches 36 formed at the base of a central ring 30 of the 'base 31, pierced with a central opening 37.

 Each spring 32 consists of a curved elastic blade 38, the two ends of which join to form the end portion 35. The blade 38 encloses a block 39, held resiliently above the central ring 30, with, between two blocks 39, an interval e (FIG. 5) substantially equal to the width of a wing of a modular element.

 However, the elasticity of the leaf spring 38 naturally allows the blocks 39 to move away from one another if a part whose width is greater than e is introduced between them.

 We see in Figure 8, which is a top view of the entire part of Figures 5 and 6, that each block 39 has two perpendicular faces which are each provided with a latching means 41 consisting of a lug 42 secured to an elastic part 43 in L, visible more clearly in FIGS. 10 and 12. The upper branch 44 of the elastic part 43 is fixed to the upper surface of the corresponding block 3.9, for example by welding.

The lug 42 normally projects outside the block 39 towards the center of the base 31 (lug 42 on the right in FIG. 10). However, the elasticity of the vertical branch of the part 43 allows it to return at least partially inside the block 39 when sliding between the two blocks 39 opposite a wing of a modular element.

 Thus, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the part 29 is provided with four pairs of latching members 41, the lugs 42 of each pair being placed one opposite the other and projecting between two adjacent blocks 39.

 The implementation of this part 29 is easily understood. In the first example of use shown in FIG. 10, two contiguous wings 45,46 of two corresponding modular elements 47,48 were introduced between -two contiguous retaining blocks 29, the wing 45 having a recess 49 of corresponding shape to that of the lug 42, while the wing 46 is pierced with an opening 51 adapted to receive the corresponding lug 42. When the wings 45, 46 pressed against each other between the blades are introduced springs 32, these stéeartententastically, as well as the lugs 42 which are snapped into the recess 49 and the opening 51 respectively, by locking in place the wings 45,46 and the elements 47, 48. The opening 51 and the recess 49 are positioned on the wings 45, 46 so that the ends of these come to bear on the ring 30 when the locking by the pins 42 is achieved.

 In FIG. 11, the fixing part 29 holds the wings 52, 53 of two modular elements locked by snap-fastening by means of a pair of lugs 42 as in the case of FIG. 10, but moreover this part 29 is itself fixed to a surface 54 (wall or ceiling or floor) by an intermediate member 55 crossed by a threaded tie rod 56.

The latter crosses the central opening 37 of the base 31, the part 55 and is screwed into the surface 54. Nuts 57, 58 secure the rod 56 to the base 31 and to the intermediate member 55, the latter being constituted in this example, of two U-shaped sections fitted one on the other and secured together by bolts 59.

 To set up a device, first screw the tie rod 56 into the surface 54 through the member 55, introduce the head of the rod 56 into the base or base 31, and the latter is fixed to the rod 56 and to the member 55 by means of the nuts 57, 58; the wings 52, 53 can then be introduced between the leaf springs 32 to block them between them.

 In FIG. 12, a single wing 61 is locked in the part 29 by a lug 42, the retracted position of which has been indicated in phantom. The part 29 is fixed directly to the surface 62 by a screw 63 passing through the opening 37.

 In the mode of use of the part 29 shown in FIG. 9, four modular elements 64 have been introduced into the blocking part 29: namely, one wing 65 and the intermediate branch 66 between two parallel wings 65. Each wing 65 is pierced with an opening 67, and each branch 66 has a recess 68 which receives, as well as the opening 67, a locking lug 42. The part 29 allows in this case to keep four modular elements assembled in a cross.

 In the various possible use cases, the implementation of the fixing part 29 is therefore very simple, since it suffices to introduce the wings of the elements between the blocks 39 so that the locking is automatically achieved by elastic snap-fastening of the lugs 42 in the openings or recesses provided in correspondence in the wings of the modular elements.

 To erEever then, if necessary, these modular elements, it suffices to separate the elastic branches from the memory formed by a pair of leaf springs 32.

 The invention is not limited to the embodiments described and can include numerous variant embodiments. Thus the number of leaf springs 32 on a retaining piece 29 can possibly be reduced to two, diametrically opposite on the base 31.

It is noted that the base 31 is provided (fig. 6 to 8) with peripheral notches 40 in V, which serve as guides for squaring "the base 31 on a tracing with a cord made on a support (floor or wall);

Claims (5)

 1. Set of interior or laughing architecture, such as wall panels, ceilings, storage, shelves, arrangement of offices, living rooms and exhibition stores, floors, podiums, furniture, including, in accordance with claim 4 of the main patent, an assembly of a series of modular elements whose widths and lengths of the wings are variable, this assembly being provided with means for fixing the modular elements to each other by their wings, characterized in that , the wings (28) of certain modular elements being juxtaposed end to end in the same plane, the fixing means comprise flat plates (26) disposed on at least two wings placed in the same plane and pierced with holes (27) of receiving screws or rivets for assembling the plate (26) to the wings (28) of the elements.  2. architectural assembly according to claim 1 of this addition, characterized in that modular U-shaped elements (1,2,3s4) have vertical wings in each of which are formed at least two vertical rows of perforations (9) and these elements are equipped with shelves (13,14,15,19) with lateral edges (17,21) projecting downwards and in which are arranged notches (18,22) adapted to receive assembly parts to wings (3a, 3b) elements, such as bolts or screws coming to engage in the perforations (9) of the wings (3a, 3b), the shelves (13-19) extending over a length equal to the interval between the two vertical wings (3a, 3b) of each element.  3. An assembly according to claim 2 of the present addition, characterized in that the notches (18,22,22a) of the lateral edges (17,21) are distributed between the moths thereof so that, preferably three vertical rows of perforations (9) being provided in the wings (3b) of the elements (3), the shelves (13,14,15, 19) can be assembled to the wings (3a, 3b) by taking steep inclinations between the 'horizontal and vertical and these shelves (13,14,15,19) are provided with longitudinal bent edges (16,24) for retaining objects placed on the shelves arranged in an inclined position.  4. Assembly according to one of claims 1 to 3 of this addition, characterized in that the fixing means comprise parts (29) arranged to fix the modular elements (47,48,64,65) on surfaces ( 54,62) not accessible after installation of these elements, such as floors, walls, ceilings, or to hold several of these elements together, and each of these parts (29) comprises a base (31) pierced with a hole ( 37) for receiving a retaining member (63,56) at said surface (54,62) as well as at least two springs (32) adapted to pinch at least one wing (45,46,61) d 'a modular element (47,48,64,65) and to hold it in place by a latching means (41,42).  5. The assembly of claim 4, characterized in that each spring (32) comprises a curved elastic blade, secured (s) to the base (31) by fixing members such as bolts (34) and, on the side opposite the base (31), the spring (32) is provided with a latching means constituted by a lug (42) elastically biased in a plane perpendicular to that of the base (31), so as to be able snap into a perforation (51,67) or a corresponding recess (49,68) of the wing (45,46,61,65,66) of the modular element when this wing is inserted between the springs ( 32).