FR2734339A1 - Structure in form of network of links for construction of raised podium - Google Patents

Abstract

The structure forming a network of links, consists of several interconnection pieces (1) forming link nodes and several tubular elements (2) interconnecting the interconnection pieces. The tubular elements are provided at each of their ends with a joining piece (3) designed to cooperate with the interconnection pieces. The joining pieces are joined at the ends (20) of the tubular elements by a method of pivoting. Also the interconnection pieces contain several longitudinal slots (12) into which the end lip (34) of the joining piece can engage and be anchored by a spring loaded blocking piece (310).

Description

 The present invention relates to a mesh network structure used as a floor or floor support structure or even as a ceiling structure for fixing various accessories. This type of structure more commonly called "fishnet" finds a preferential application for the construction of raised podiums or supporting framework of lighting devices such as one can meet in the rooms of spectacle, exhibition or representation .

 A very simple and widespread technique used for assembling such nets consists in forming a network structure of meshes from tubes and connecting nodes. The structure, related to a crystal structure, consists of a juxtaposition of identical meshes. A frequently used mesh geometry is that in the shape of a pyramid. Each node must therefore include eight connection points for the interconnection of eight tube ends.

 A mesh of the prior art provides connecting nodes in the form of a cylindrical stud provided with eight longitudinal grooves extending over the height of the stud. As for the tubes, their two ends are flattened and hemmed so as to form a terminal excess thickness or flange. The tubes can be engaged by longitudinal sliding in the grooves of the connecting nodes.

 However, to form a pyramid structure, it is necessary to provide two kinds of tubes. For the square base of the pyramid, the tubes of the tubes must be oriented perpendicular to the tube while to form the edges of the pyramid, the tubes must be inclined at 450. This type of mesh therefore requires the manufacture and use of two different types of tubes.

 In addition, this mesh has another drawback which manifests itself during assembly. Indeed, the link node placed at the top of the pyramid is particularly difficult to set up. Since the tubes are just slid into the groove, this mesh technique provides locking discs screwable at each end of the nodes to close the open ends of the grooves through which the tubes are introduced. However, for the establishment of the nodes arranged at the top of the pyramid, that is to say which do not rest on the ground at the time of the assembly of the mesh, it is necessary to engage both the four strands pyramid ridge tubes and the four base tubes of the four adjacent pyramids arranged upside down, so it is necessary to position eight tubes and hold them in place before the locking discs can be screwed. This operation is in practice very delicate and very long.

 The object of the present invention is to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art by defining a mesh structure, the tubes of which are standard and identical and the connection nodes of which are easily installed by a single person.

 To do this, the present invention relates to a structure forming a network of meshes, comprising a plurality of interconnection members forming mesh nodes and a plurality of tubular elements interconnecting the interconnection members, said tubular elements being provided at each of their ends with interconnection means adapted to cooperate with the interconnection members, characterized in that the interconnection means are connected to the ends of the tubular elements by articulation means. Thus, with a single model of tubular elements, it is possible to form both the base of the pyramids and their edges. The additional cost possibly generated by the introduction of articulation means is offset by the fact that all the tubes are now identical and can therefore be produced in double quantity. According to one embodiment, the articulation means consist of a pivot point allowing a rotary movement of the interconnection means in a plane. It suffices that the interconnection means can pivot 45 "around the axis of the tubular element to allow the latter to be used to form the edges of the pyramid.

 According to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the present invention, the interconnection members comprise a plurality of longitudinal grooves having a narrowed opening and open ends, said interconnection means being provided with hooking means adapted to engage in the grooves interconnection grooves, the interconnection means further comprising blocking means to prevent the hooking means from disengaging from the grooves by longitudinal sliding. Thus, the difficulties encountered with the previously mentioned mesh knots of the prior art are eliminated. Each tubular element can be individually secured to the interconnection member, while the locking discs of the prior art perform the collective securing of the eight tubes which interconnect it. The separate blocking of the tubular elements considerably facilitates the setting in place interconnection members arranged at the top of the pyramid. According to one embodiment, the blocking means of an interconnection means comprise blocking members adapted to engage in front of each open end of a groove, thus preventing any longitudinal movement of the hooking means in said groove. By obstructing, if only partially, the open ends of the grooves, the attachment means are blocked in the grooves.

 According to a first embodiment, the attachment means can be engaged in a groove by longitudinal sliding from one end of said groove.

 According to a second embodiment, the hooking means can be engaged in a groove by subsidiary introduction through the narrowed opening of said groove.

 Advantageously, the locking members are pivotally mounted to allow the introduction of the attachment means in the groove. As a variant, the blocking means are translatable and elastically biased in front of the open ends of the groove. It is thus possible to temporarily erase the locking means, the time to engage the attachment means in the groove. The blocking means are then brought back translatively by rotation to the operative blocking position.

 According to a practical embodiment, the locking means are in the form of a pair of jaws, each jaw of which is disposed respectively in front of an open end of the groove. Thus the two open ends of a groove are concealed simultaneously.

 According to another advantageous characteristic, the hooking means comprise a hook member having a maximum thickness less than the narrowed opening of the groove so that the hook member is insertable into the groove through its narrowed opening. Locking means are provided for wedging said hook member in the groove, in the form of a blade insertable in the groove. The cumulative thickness of the blade and the hook member is greater than the narrowed opening of the groove. Preferably, the locking means are integral in displacement with the locking means. Thus, the locking and blocking of the hooking means operate simultaneously.

 The invention will be described more fully with reference to the appended drawings giving, by way of nonlimiting example, two embodiments of the invention.

On the drawings
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mesh network structure according to
the invention,
- Figure 2 is a sectional view illustrating the end of a tubular element in
taken with a mesh knot according to a first embodiment,
- Figure 3 is a side view of the end of the tubular element engaged with
the knot according to the first embodiment,
- Figure 4 is a side view of the end of the tubular member of Figure
3 in the forced insertion position,
- Figure 5 is a sectional view of the end of the tubular member of the
FIG. 2 in the forced insertion position,
- Figure 6 is a sectional view illustrating the end of a tubular element in
taken with a mesh knot according to a second embodiment, and
- Figure 7 is a side view of the end of the tubular element engaged with
the knot according to the second embodiment.

 Figure I is an overview of a mesh network structure according to the invention. The structure or mesh consists essentially of three different types of elements. Tubular elements 2 connect mesh nodes 1 by forming a pyramid mesh pattern. The pyramid motif is a motif commonly used for the formation of such fishnets. In the drawing, the mesh comprises two pyramids at the place and six inverted pyramids. Each pyramid base at the place consists of four tubular elements 2 connecting four knots of mesh 1. The edges of the pyramids at the place also consist of four tubular elements each connecting a node of summit mesh. The bases of the inverted pyramids consist of 4 aluminum profiles commonly used for the construction of light structures. The mesh nodes 1 are all identical, as are the tubular elements 2.

 Figures 2 to 5 show a first embodiment of the invention while Figures 6 and 7 show a second embodiment. The representative figures of these two embodiments represent only one end of a tubular element which may or may not be engaged with a mesh knot. The invention relates to the connection of the ends of the tubular elements on the mesh nodes. This is why a single end of a tubular element is sufficiently representative to understand the invention.

 Whereas in the prior art, several different types of tubular elements were required to form a mesh of pyramidal structure, the present invention provides only one type of tubular element for the formation of a mesh having the same structure , as shown in FIG. 1. To do this, it is provided that the interconnection means which make it possible to connect the ends of the tubular elements to the mesh nodes are connected in an articulated manner. The interconnection means designated as a whole by the reference numeral 3 in the two embodiments, are pivotally mounted on the flattened end of the tubular elements 2. The pivoting function is provided by a rivet 23 which passes through the flattened end of the tubular element 2 as well as the interconnection means 3. Thus, the interconnection means can perform a rotary movement which is part of a plane.

The tubular element 2 must be able to rotate at least 45 "on either side of the horizontal. An angular position suitable for the formation of a pyramid edge is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 7. The fact that the articulation means 3 are now articulated relative to the ends of the tubular elements 2 allows the use of the tubular elements to form both the bases of the pyramids and their edges. now there is no need to worry about the number of tubular elements for the formation of bases and edges.

 Another characteristic of the invention common to the two embodiments provides for interconnection means 3 provided with blocking means making it possible to secure the interconnection means on the mesh nodes without it being possible for the means of interconnection does not disengage knots of mesh by longitudinal sliding for example.

 Indeed, the mesh nodes designated as a whole by the reference numeral 1 in the two embodiments, are constituted by sections of polygonal profile, for example octagonal in the embodiments shown.

The profile sections comprise a hollow core 1 1 around which are provided grooves 12 with narrowed opening. The narrowing of the grooves 12 is carried out by flanges 13 which partially close the grooves 12. For an octagonal profile, there are eight grooves 12. The section of profile forming a knot of mesh 1 has a height which can vary between a few centimeters and 20 centimeters about. The grooves 12 of the knot 1 have each of the two open ends. It should be noted that the mesh knot used in the present invention actually consists of a section of a conventional aluminum profile commonly used for the construction of light structure. The cost price of such a knot is therefore very low.

 While in the prior art, specially designed knots are provided, the present invention provides knots made from an already finished commercial product, which is cut to the desired length.

 For the actual securing of the interconnection means in the grooves 12 of the mesh nodes, the interconnection means 3 are provided with hooking means 34, 37; 34 adapted to engage in the grooves 12 of the nodes. The attachment means have a part whose thickness is greater than the difference existing between the flanges 13 forming the narrowed opening of the groove 12. Thus, the attachment means cannot disengage from the groove 12 by the narrowed opening of the latter. The tubes of the prior art tubes perform the same function by being engaged in a narrowed opening groove. However, while in the prior art, the tubes can disengage from their respective grooves by longitudinal sliding, the locking means 39 in the present invention precisely prevent the hooking means from disengaging from the grooves by longitudinal sliding. This longitudinal sliding blocking function is achieved in the prior art by the locking discs slid at each end of the mesh nodes. These discs perform a collective blocking of the eight tubes connected to the mesh nodes. Unlike the prior art, the blocking means 39 of the interconnection means act individually for each interconnection means. Thus, each tubular element 2 is individually blocked on its respective mesh node. The tubes of the same mesh node can therefore be mounted on the node consecutively without worrying about the longitudinal sliding blocking of the tubular elements already mounted.

 Referring now more specifically to Figures 2 to 5, there will be described a first embodiment of the invention. for the sake of simplification, the tubular element which can in practice take any elongated solid or hollow shape will be designated subsequently by the term tube. According to a practical embodiment, the tube 2 can be a hollow aluminum tube. As shown in Figure 2, the end of the tube 2 is flattened so that the inner walls of the tube are contiguous. The flattened end part of the tube 2 is designated by the reference numeral 20.

The flattened end 20 is provided with a hole 32 in which a rivet 23 is inserted. Any other means allowing a pivoting junction to be made is of course conceivable without thereby departing from the scope of the invention. The rivet 23 also passes through an end part of the interconnection means.

 The interconnection means 3 essentially consist of three distinct elements, namely a hook member designated as a whole by 300, a key designated as a whole 310, and a spring 30.

 The hook member 300 has a rear end part 31 in which a hole 32 is made through which the rivet 23 passes. The rivet 23 does not therefore have to be fitted in the hole 32 in the rear end part 31. The hook member 300 has a front end portion 34 which forms a hook. The hook 34, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 to 5, is formed with an insertion channel 340 adapted to receive a flange 13 of a groove 12. In addition, the hook member forms a housing 33 in which receives a spring 30.

 The key 310 partially surrounds the hook member as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. In cross section, the key has a U shape. The key is integral with the rivet 23 with its end part 36 located on the opposite side to the end part 31 of the hook member 300 with respect to the flattened end 20 of the tube 2. the key is therefore secured to the rivet 213, but can however carry out a translational movement from front to back, that is to say from left to right and from right to left in FIGS. 2 to 5. To allow this limited translational movement, the key is pierced with an oblong hole 362 through which the rivet 23 passes. Of course, the rivet 23 does not wedge with its head the end part 36 of the key against the flattened end 20 of the tube 2. The U-shaped key is located with its core 37, 36 on the side opposite to the channel 340 of the hook 34 of the hook member 300. The key extends with its b lateral ranches 39 on the sides of the hook member 300. In FIGS. 2 and 5, the lateral branches are represented by dotted lines. The key is formed with a blade 37 located at the end opposite to the part 36. This blade 37 when the interconnection means are engaged in a groove, is inserted into the groove 12 as shown in FIG. 2. The key is also formed with a flap 38 which is inserted into the spring 30.

Under the effect of the spring 30, the key is therefore urged towards the hook 34. The rest position of the key 310 is therefore that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, which corresponds to the interconnection position.

 The key fulfills a double function: on the one hand, the side panels 39 which extend on either side of the hook member 300 fulfill the role of locking means because they extend on both sides other of the open ends of the groove 12 when the hook 34 is engaged in a knot as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. A part of the lateral branches 39 of the key therefore partially closes open ends of the groove 12 These branches 39 therefore play the role of locking jaws by preventing the hook 34 from moving longitudinally in the groove 12.

An individual blocking of each tube 2 is thus achieved. On the other hand, the key also plays the role of locking means with its blade 37. To better understand this locking function, reference will now be made to the four figures at the same time to illustrate the process of inserting the locking means. interconnection in a mesh knot groove. In FIG. 5, the key is shown when it has been moved translatively at the most towards the end 20 of the tube 2. In this position, the spring 30 is constrained to the maximum. The underside of the hook 34 designated by the reference numeral 35 is then no longer covered by the blade 37. The maximum thickness of the hook taken in the vertical direction in FIG. 5 is less than the distance existing between the flanges 13 d 'a groove 12. Thus, the hook 34 can be inserted in the position shown in Figure 5 in a groove 12 of a mesh knot 1. To do this it suffices to hold the key in the position shown in Figure 5 for the time of the introduction of the hook 34. Once the hook introduced into the groove 12, the key can be released and under the effect of the spring 30, it returns to its rest position, adjacent to the hook 34 as shown in the Figure 2. The blade 37 provides an extra thickness which is added to the thickness of the hook so that the cumulative thickness of the hook and the blade is greater than the gap between two adjacent flanges 13 of a groove 12. The blade 37 f therefore provides a locking means for the hook 34. The hook 34 is thus securely fastened to the groove. To disengage the hook 34, it suffices to remove the key towards the tube 2 to return to the position shown in FIG. 5 The withdrawal of the key 310 makes it possible on the one hand to extract the blade 37 from the groove 12, but also to release the open ends of the groove 12 masked by the end portions of the lateral branches 39 of the key. Thus, in one movement, the hook 34 can be blocked and locked, respectively, unlocked and unlocked. To facilitate gripping of the key 310, there are provided on the lateral branches 39 gripping surfaces 390 increasing the grip.

 It should be noted that in this embodiment, the hook 34 is introduced into the groove 12 in a facial manner, that is to say passing between the flanges 13 of the groove. I1 is therefore not necessary to introduce the hook 34 by longitudinal sliding from one of the open ends of the groove 12. This characteristic by facial introduction facilitates the engagement of the hook in the groove. In practice, for the introduction of the hook 34 into a groove 12, it suffices to press the hook 34 between the flanges 13 of a groove with sufficient force to push the end of the key by pressing the end of the blade 37 against a flange 13. As soon as the channel 340 of the hook 34 reaches the level of the flange, the latter automatically engages in the channel 340 and the blade 37 of the key can return to the rest position by engaging in the throat 12.

A simple and fast connection is thus achieved.

 The second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 also provides a rivet 23 to produce the articulation between the flattened end 20 of the tube 2 and the interconnection means 3. The mesh node 1 used is also the same as that of the first embodiment. In addition, the same reference numerals will be used for identical or similar constituent elements, or at least fulfilling the same function. The connection means according to this embodiment also comprise three distinct elements, namely, a hook member 300, a key 310 and a spring 30.

 The hook member 300 forms a housing 33 in which the spring 30 is received.

On the other hand, the hook member 300 also forms a double tooth hook 34. The hook 34 engages with the two flanges 13 of a groove 12, and no longer with only one as in the previous embodiment. The hook 34 is therefore in the form of a harpoon. Consequently, for the introduction of the hook 34 into a groove 12, it is necessary to engage the hook 34 through one of the open ends of the groove 12 by longitudinal sliding. The locking function provided by the blade 37 of the key in the previous embodiment therefore has no reason to be in the present embodiment.

 The key 310 therefore only performs a function of blocking the hook 34 in the groove 12. The key 310 is in the form of a jaw having two jaws 39 and a central part 38 engaged in the housing 33 of the hook member 310. The key also extends through the hook 34 by dividing it into two parts, each having a tooth. The spring 30 is supported on the middle part 38 of the jaw by urging the latter away from the tube 2, like the key 310 in the first embodiment. However, the key 310 performs under the effect of the spring a pivoting movement and not a translational movement as was the case in the first embodiment. The pivoting of the key as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 7 makes it possible to release one end of the hook 34 in order to be able to introduce it by longitudinal sliding in a groove 12. This rocking movement of the key around the spring 30 makes it possible to temporarily erase the blocking means necessary for blocking the hook 34 in the groove 12. Once the hook 34 in position in the groove 12, the key 310 can be brought back to the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 7. The jaws 39 of the jaw 310 extend in this position in front of the open ends of the groove 12. The hook 34 can then no longer effect a longitudinal sliding movement in the groove 12. In practice, to introduce the hook into a groove 12 of a knot of mesh 1, it is necessary to t first tilt the key 310 to one side or the other to release the end of the hook 34. The hook can then be slid longitudinally in a groove 12. Once the hook 34 is perfectly in place in the groove 12, the key switches again so that its jaws 39 partially mask the open ends of the groove 12. An easy locking of the hook 34 in the groove 12 is thus achieved.

Claims (12)

Claims  1.- Structure forming a network of meshes, comprising a plurality of interconnection members (1) forming mesh nodes and a plurality of tubular elements (2) interconnecting interconnection members (1), said tubular elements (2) being provided at each of their ends with interconnection means (3) adapted to cooperate with the interconnection members (1), characterized in that the interconnection means (3) are connected to the ends (20) tubular elements (2) by articulation means (23).  2. Structure according to claim 1, in which the articulation means consist of a pivot point (23) allowing a rotary movement of the interconnection means (3) in a plane.  3.- Structure according to claim I or 2, wherein the interconnection members (1) comprise a plurality of longitudinal grooves (12) having a narrowed opening and open ends, said interconnection means (3) being provided with attachment means (34) adapted to engage in the grooves (12) of the interconnection members (1), the interconnection means (3) further comprising blocking means (310) to prevent the means from 'hooking (34) to disengage from the grooves (12) by longitudinal sliding.  4. Structure according to claim 3, in which the blocking means (310) of an interconnection means (3) comprise blocking members (39) adapted to engage in front of each open end of a groove ( 12), thus preventing any longitudinal movement of the attachment means (34) in said groove (12).  5.- Structure according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the attachment means (34) can be engaged in a groove (12) by longitudinal sliding from one end of said groove.  6.- Structure according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the attachment means (34) can be engaged in a groove (12) by facial introduction through the narrowed opening of said groove.  7.- Structure according to claims 4, 5 or 6, wherein the locking members (39) are pivotally mounted to allow the introduction of the attachment means (34) in the groove (12).  8.- Structure according to claims 4, 5 or 6, wherein the locking means (39) are translatable and resiliently biased in front of the open ends of the groove (12).  9.- Structure according to any one of claims 4, 7 and 8, wherein the locking means are in the form of a pair of jaws (39, 39) each jaw of which is disposed respectively in front of an open end of the throat (12).  10.- Structure according to claim 6, 8 or 9, wherein the hooking means comprise a hook member (34) having a maximum thickness less than the narrowed opening of the groove (12) so that the member hook (34) is insertable into the groove (12) through its narrowed opening, locking means (37) being provided to wedge said hook member in the groove (12).  11.- Structure according to claim 10, wherein the locking means comprise a blade (37) adapted to be inserted into the groove (12), the cumulative thickness of the blade (37) and the member of hook (34) being greater than the narrowed opening of the groove.  12.- Structure according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the locking means (37) are integral in displacement with the locking means (39).