FR2712046A1 - Support section, seal interacting with such a section and assembly comprising the section and the seal - Google Patents

Abstract

The support section (1) has a closed hollow transverse profile of polygonal external overall shape. Two outer portions (8a-c) of its profile each have at least one relief (7) comprising two sides (10a, 10b). These two sides are orthogonal to this portion, or substantially undercut with respect to it, and face each other. All the reliefs (7) of the section are identical. The section is targetted at the construction of furniture and partitions, and it allows these to be erected and dismantled in very varied configurations.

Description

"Support profile, packing cooperating with such
profile and assembly comprising the profile and the
garnish"
The present invention relates to a support profile, in particular for the manufacture of furniture and partitions. It also relates to a lining cooperating with such a profile and to an assembly comprising the profile and the lining.

 Many attempts have been made to design modular elements intended for the production of furniture. However, most failed because the sets of elements created had too many drawbacks.

 Indeed, the specifications of such sets include many positions. The elements must be easy to assemble and just as easy to disassemble. They must be able to be arranged according to a very large number of different configurations in order to vary the models created as much as possible. Conversely, the number of different modular elements must be reduced so as not to increase the cost of the system and keep it all its flexibility. The furniture created must meet the safety standards applicable in terms of furniture. The assembled furniture must be compatible with elements of furniture foreign to the whole. Finally, and these are essential commercial conditions, fitted furniture must be functional and comfortable and must have an attractive aesthetic.

 The object of the present invention is to meet all of these conditions. For this, it offers a support profile intended to constitute the framework of each of the furniture or partitions created.

 The present invention therefore relates to a support profile, in particular for the assembly of furniture and partitions, this profile having a hollow transverse profile, closed, of general polygonal exterior shape.

 According to the invention, the profile is characterized in that two external portions of its profile each have at least one relief comprising two sides, these two sides being orthogonal to this portion, or substantially undercut relative to this and being face, all said reliefs of the profile being identical.

 The profile can be extruded or machined. These reliefs form grooves or longitudinal projections on the surface of the support profile. These can be used as a location for drilling or tapping holes intended to allow the fixing by screwing to the profile of other modular elements or of removable fixing means of other modular elements.

 The unused reliefs or the parts of the tapped reliefs offered to the view once the piece of furniture or the wall mounted can receive a trim according to the invention as will be seen below.

 The arrangement of the reliefs on different portions of the profile allows the choice of using the corresponding faces of the profile to connect the other modular elements, thus varying the shapes of the furniture created. The reliefs previously tapped and now unused can be masked by fittings. This produces a support profile allowing mounting according to various configurations.

 The support profile according to the invention allows the mounting of furniture, partitions and furniture fixed to the partitions or partially embedded in them.

 According to an advantageous version of the invention, at least one face of the polygon has at least two reliefs.

 This increases the number of potential configurations by allowing the attachment of several elements on the same face of the profile or by allowing the withdrawal or on the contrary the advancement of the support profile relative to the other elements.

 According to a preferred version, the polygon includes five reliefs per face.

 According to an advantageous version of the invention, the reliefs of the same face are arranged symmetrically with respect to the perpendicular bisector of this face.

 According to a preferred version of the invention, the polygon is a square.

 The square profile provides four orthogonal faces between them allowing the modular elements to be associated with the profile according to a usual right angle configuration in terms of furniture and this by reducing as much as possible the unused or visible surfaces.

 According to a preferred version of the invention, the relief is a dovetail outline.

 According to an advantageous version of the invention, the internal profile of the profile has a generally polygonal shape.

 This version makes it possible to design elements fixed to the end of the profile as shutters, these elements being supported by the polygonal internal profile of the profile.

 According to a preferred version of the invention, at least one inner face of the profile has a longitudinal rib parallel to the axis of the profile.

 This rib, which may have a very small thickness, makes it possible to immobilize at one end of the profile a shutter having a part matching the interior profile of the profile. The rib causes a slight tightening of the shutter which is enough to hold it in place.

 The present invention also relates to a profiled packing.

 According to the invention, the lining is adapted to cooperate with a profile according to the invention in which the sides of the relief are undercut and the bottom of the relief is flat, to be fixed to said relief by being introduced in a substantially orthogonal direction to the axis of the profile and to be immobilized therein so that the lining extends externally from one side of the relief to the other, the lining comprising means for fixing by clipping.

 As stated above, this trim makes it possible to fill the space between the two reliefs or to hide it. This produces a covering of the relief improving the aesthetics of the furniture and the fitted partitions.

 You can insert or remove the trim as you wish during the assembly and disassembly of the furniture.

 According to a preferred version of the invention, the means of fixing by clipping comprise two fins fixed on two respective opposite lateral sides of the lining so that each fin is located opposite one of said sides of the relief when the lining is installed, the base of the fins being near the same face of the lining, each fin being oriented substantially in the direction of said respective side.

 In this way, the lining is put in place by introducing it from the front into the relief. The orientation of the fins does not oppose any obstacle to this introduction. On the other hand, it prevents the natural exit of the lining, the fins resting on the sides in undercut of the relief.

 According to a preferred version of the invention, one face of the lining has at least two perforations aligned along the axis of the lining and spaced apart by 32 millimeters.

 The location of the fixings provided on the other modular elements can be chosen to correspond to this spacing. The gasket then serves as a template to easily identify the exact vertical and lateral location of the holes or tappings to be made on the profile. The relief and the lining having predetermined dimensions, this marking is carried out with the greatest precision simply by inserting and then removing the lining once the marking has been carried out. However, the trim can also be left in place on the profile. In addition, the spacing of 32 mm corresponds to international standards for spacing fasteners for furniture, which makes the profiles compatible for the possible fixing of elements foreign to the assembly according to the invention.

 According to an advantageous version of the invention in which the lining cooperates with a profile whose reliefs are in dovetail and flat bottom, the thickness of the lining is substantially equal to the depth of the relief and the outer face of the trim is substantially flat.

 The trim thus makes it possible to restore a flat surface on the relief, thus improving the comfort of use and the aesthetics of the furniture or of the final partition.

 According to a preferred version of the invention, the outer face of the lining has a facing.

 This facing which can be of any kind (veneer in wood, metal, colored plastic, fabrics, etc ...), allows the personalized dressing of the profile to further facilitate the integration of furniture and partitions created, within existing furniture.

 The present invention also relates to a set of modular elements, in particular for the manufacture of furniture and partitions.

 According to the invention, this assembly is characterized in that it comprises a profile and a lining according to the invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the description which follows of a preferred embodiment. In the appended drawings given by way of non-limiting examples:
- Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a profile according to the invention associated with other modular elements of the assembly according to the invention;
- Figure 2 is a perspective view of the profile of Figure 1;
- Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the plane III-III of the profile of Figure 2;
- Figure 4 is a perspective view of a gasket according to the invention fixed to the profile of the previous figures;
- Figure 5 is an elevational view of the lining of Figure 4;
- Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along the plane VI-VI of the packing of Figure 5; and
- Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along the plane VII-VII of the profile and the trim of Figure 4;
Referring to Figure 1, the present invention relates to a set of modular elements, in particular for the manufacture of furniture and walls.

 This set includes several copies of a support profile such as profile 1, positioned horizontally or vertically to serve as a framework for the furniture and mounted walls or to interconnect various modular elements of the assembly such as walls 2, 3 , a shelf support 4 or another identical support profile 5.

 With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, this profile is extruded and has a hollow, closed transverse profile, of general polygonal exterior shape. Here, the interior profile of the profile also has a general polygonal shape.

 In the present example, the profile has a generally square profile.

 Certain external portions of its profile each have at least one relief 7. In the present example, the square includes five reliefs 7 per face 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d of the square.

 On each face of the square, the reliefs are arranged symmetrically with respect to the perpendicular bisector 9 of this face. Thus, a relief is located in the center of the face and two pairs of reliefs are located symmetrically on either side of it.

 Each relief 7 has two sides 10a and 10b.

The two sides of each relief 7 are substantially undercut relative to the face of the square which carries them, and the two sides face each other.

 However, alternatively, these sides 10a, 10b can also be orthogonal to the portion or the face of the square which carries them.

 All the reliefs 7 of the profile 1 are identical.

 In the present example, each relief is a dovetail contour, the two sides 10a and 10b constituting the characteristic flanks of this type of contour which is very conventional in itself.

 As an indication, the profile can be given the following dimensions: the profile has an external width of 100 millimeters (overall length of the face of the square). The depth of each dovetail contour 7 is 2 millimeters. The internal width at the bottom of a contour is 12.10 millimeters.

The outside width at the edge of the contour is 10.10 millimeters. The contours adjacent to the central contour of each face have their outer edge 6.90 millimeters distant from the outer edge closest to the central contour. Likewise, the last two contours of each face (the contours furthest from the perpendicular bisector 9) are 13.40 millimeters apart from each adjacent contour.

 With reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 7, each dovetail contour 7 comprises a longitudinal groove 15 parallel to the axis 16 of the profile 1, this groove 15 being located equidistant from the two sides 10a and 10b of the contour 7 .

 This groove makes it easy to identify the perpendicular bisector of the contour. We can thus mark without hesitation the horizontal position of the drilling or tapping locations. These grooves are masked by the gasket once it is installed in the contour.

 In addition, inside each contour 7, the profile comprises two grooves 18 parallel to said groove 15 and arranged symmetrically on either side of this groove 15.

 We thus identify points located in the immediate vicinity of the middle groove and on either side of the latter. This is advantageous when using more complex fasteners or elements of association which require the identification of several points.

 Similarly, for each pair of contours 7 situated on either side of the median contour of each face of the square, the profile comprises between the two contours a longitudinal groove 17 parallel to the axis 16 of the profile and located at equal distance from these two contours 7.

 Similarly, this groove allows this time to locate without hesitation the points located at equal distance from the two contours in order to facilitate the marking of drilling or tapping locations or the alignment of the axis of the profile with other modular elements.

 Between these two contours 7, the profile also comprises four grooves 19 parallel to said groove 17 and arranged symmetrically on either side of this groove 17 to form a series of five equidistant grooves in all.

 The faces of the square 20 constituting the interior profile of the profile are generally smooth in appearance, with the exception of at least one interior face of the profile which has a longitudinal rib 21 parallel to the axis 16 of the profile.

 In the present example, each face of the interior square 20 has four ribs 21 distributed two by two in the vicinity of the edge of the faces.

 As an indication, the depth of the grooves 15, 17, 18 and 19 and the thickness of the aforementioned ribs 21 can be 0.30 millimeter. In each contour 7, the distance between two adjacent grooves 15, 18 is 1 millimeter. The distance between two adjacent grooves 17, 19 between two contours 7 is 2 millimeters.

 In the present example, the profile 1 is made of extruded aluminum.

 With reference to FIGS. 4 to 7, the assembly according to the invention also comprises a profiled lining 25 adapted to cooperate with the profile 1 according to the invention in order to be fixed to the contour 7.

 The filling has the general shape of a flat elongated rectangular parallelepiped. It is adapted to be introduced in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis 16 of the profile 1 and to be immobilized therein so that the lining 25 externally occupies all the space between the two sides of the contour 7.

 To this end, the lining 25 comprises means for fixing by clipping, the sides of the contour being undercut.

 However, if the sides of the relief were orthogonal to the face of the profile, the lining could include clamping means of a known type.

 The means for fixing by clipping comprise two fins 26a and 26b fixed on two respective opposite lateral sides 27a and 27b of the lining.

 Each fin 26a, 26b is located opposite a respective side 10a, 10b of the contour 7 when the lining 25 is installed, the base of the fins being located near the same face 28 of the lining and each fin 26a, 26b being oriented substantially towards the respective side.

 In this way, the fins 26a and 26b press on the sides 10a and 10b in a direction substantially normal to these respectively.

 The fins are profiled and are formed at the same time as the lining.

 The description which has just been made relates to the general constitution of the linings. However, more specifically, the following two specific types of packing can be used.

 According to a first type, the lining 25 is made of PVC and a face 29 of the lining has perforations 30 aligned along the median axis 35 of the lining.

 The perforations 30 are here chosen so that they are spaced apart from each other by 32 millimeters, this spacing corresponding to international standards for the spacing of fixings for furniture. This type of packing will be designated here by template packing.

 According to another type of lining, the contours 7 having a flat bottom, the lining 25 is such that the thickness of the lining is substantially equal to the depth of the contour 7. In addition, the outer face 29 of the lining 25 is substantially plane.

 The external face of the lining 25 has a facing of any type in harmony with the environment provided for the piece of furniture or the partition.

The body of the lining may be made of PVC, the facing being for example made of an added material.

Alternatively, the PVC may itself be colored or decorated.

 The assembly according to the invention will include, for example, twenty profiles of various lengths and as many fittings as necessary to adorn these profiles. It also includes walls and means for fixing the walls by direct screwing on the profiles or by screwing intermediate fastening elements.

 The profiles and fittings are used as follows.

 Each profile being devoid of trim, the holes or tappings necessary for the production of the piece of furniture or the partition are made on the surface of the profile. Whether the walls are fixed at the edge or in the middle of the faces of the profiles, it will be advantageous to make these holes or tappings at the bottom of the contours 7 by locating the middle of these with the grooves 15 and 18.

 By fixing the template trim 25 beforehand by clipping into the outline 7 to be tapped, the mark of the locations to be tapped is easily obtained by guaranteeing between them the normal spacing of 32 millimeters. After drilling or tapping, the template trim can be removed. However, the template trim can also be left in place to form the final trim of the profile.

 If necessary, holes or tappings can be made between the contours 7, using the grooves 17 and 19 as a guide.

 We then proceed to the realization of the furniture by assembling the walls and the profiles and if necessary the other elements of the assembly necessary for the construction of the furniture or the partition.

 Before or after this assembly, the linings are fixed to the contours 7 by clipping. The fins 26a and 26b prohibit the output of the linings of the contours 7. This thus produces the covering of the profiles. In addition, the thickness of the lining being equal to the depth of the contour 7, the exterior face of the profile is restored to a practically smooth appearance masking the presence of the dovetail contours.

 The furniture or partition can then be dismantled by removing the walls and removing the fittings. We can then choose to mount with these same elements a different piece of furniture or partition. To do this, simply perform the new drilling or tapping that may be necessary. Advantageously re-use the holes or tapping already practiced. When the new piece of furniture or the new partition is completed, the unused holes or threads will nevertheless be perfectly invisible because they are hidden under the fittings.

 The profile and the trim according to the invention constitute essential elements of the assembly according to the invention. The profiles serve as the framework for a wide variety of furniture, walls and combinations thereof.

They can be reused indefinitely for the assembly and disassembly of furniture and walls of very varied configurations.

 Of course, many modifications and improvements to the invention can be made without departing from the scope thereof.

 We can in particular use the reliefs on the surface of the profile to fix clamps used to fix to the profile various elements such as walls, other profiles, etc.

 The profile, the trim and the assembly according to the invention, suitable for the production of furniture and partitions, can also advantageously be used for the production of very diverse structures, for example a building facade.

Claims (17)

 1. Support profile (1), in particular for mounting furniture and partitions, this profile having a hollow transverse profile, closed, of general polygonal exterior shape, the profile (1) being characterized in that two exterior portions (8a- c) of its profile each have at least one relief (7) comprising two sides (10a, 10b), these two sides being orthogonal to this portion, or substantially undercut with respect to it and facing each other, all said reliefs (7) of the profile being identical.  2. Profile according to claim 1 characterized in that at least one face of the polygon has at least two reliefs (7).  3. Profile according to claim 2 characterized in that the polygon comprises five reliefs (7) per face.  4. Profile according to claim 2 or 3 characterized in that the reliefs (7) of the same face (8ad) are arranged symmetrically with respect to the perpendicular bisector (9) of this face.  5. Profile according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that said polygon is a square.  6. Profile according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that said relief (7) is a dovetail outline.  7. Profile according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the inner profile of the profile has a generally polygonal shape.  8. Profile according to claim 7 characterized in that at least one inner face (20) of the profile has a longitudinal rib (21) parallel to the axis (16) of the profile.  9. Profile according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that the profile (1) is made of aluminum.  10. Profiled seal (25) characterized in that it is adapted to cooperate with a profile (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, the sides (10a, 10b) of the relief being undercut and the bottom the relief being flat, to be fixed to said relief (7) by being introduced in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis (16) of the profile and to be immobilized therein so that the lining (25) extends externally side (10a, 10b) of the relief to the other, the lining (25) comprising fixing means (26a, 26b) by clipping.  11. Lining according to claim 10, characterized in that the means for fixing by clipping comprise two fins (26a, 26b) fixed on two respective opposite lateral sides (27a, 27b) of the lining so that each fin is opposite on one of said sides (10a, 10b) of the relief when the lining is installed, the base of the fins (26a, 26b) being located near the same face (28) of the lining, each fin (26a, 26b) being oriented substantially in the direction of said respective side (10a, 10b).  12. A fitting according to claim 11, characterized in that the fins (26a, 26b) are profiled.  13. Trim according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that one face of the trim (25) has at least two perforations (30) aligned along the axis (35) of the trim and spaced apart from each other by 32 millimeters.  14. Trim according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the trim (25) is made of PVC.  15. Trim according to one of claims 10 to 14, this trim cooperating with a profile according to claim 9, characterized in that the thickness of the trim (25) is substantially equal to the depth of the relief and in that the outer face of the gasket is substantially flat.  16. Trim according to one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the outer face of the trim has a facing.  17. Set of modular elements, in particular for the manufacture of furniture and partitions, characterized in that it comprises a profile (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9 and a trim (25) according to one of claims 10 to 16.