FR2763381A1 - Modular pliant construction panel - Google Patents

Abstract

The panels each have , on two opposing parallel side edges, folds (2) or grooves which form rebates or flanges. The adjacent folds of two panels (1) can be held together by clips pr clamps. The panels can have further folds or grooves perpendicular to the first to allow folding of the panels. The width of each of the folds can represent between one and ten percent , preferably two to seven percent , or preferably five percent of the width of the panel. The panel can be made of paper cardboard or a composite material formed of extruded or expanded polymer.

Description

Folding modular constructions obtained by assembling La panels

  the present invention relates to modular folding constructions obtained by assembling lightweight panels which may themselves be folding and by means of

  clips, allowing very easy and quick assembly and disassembly.

  The concept of modular folding constructions is widely known and has already

is the subject of numerous patents.

  Thus, US-A-5,125,505 describes such constructions making it possible to obtain a large display surface, in the unfolded state, while offering a reduced bulk for transport. These constructions are in fact made up of a network of interconnected bars, which must be unfolded and blocked to form the frame of the desired panel. The patents US-A-4,809,471 and US-A-4,512,097 respectively present a diagonal reinforcement system for the type of reinforcement described above and the clips

  attachment ensuring the cohesion of the frame.

  In US-A-4,276,726, it is also a question of metal reinforcement

  having a flat surface on which a display panel can be hung.

  Although these types of construction offer a reduced bulk when folded, they nevertheless have many major drawbacks: * the frame and the display surface are dissociated, * the weight is high,

  * complexity of assembly and disassembly, etc ...

  * 2- The purpose of the present invention is to provide a new system of modular folding constructions, easily assembled and removable, without frames, whether or not metallic, the construction coheslon being removed by the

  panels themselves and the clips for hanging the panels together.

  Another aspect of the invasion resides in the fact that the constructions, in the state

  fold back6, present a very small footprint.

  Another aspect of the invention is also that the constructions have a very low weight. Another aspect of the present invention is the ease of assembling different panels together, thus allowing the appearance of the constructions to be modulated at last. , The assembly of said panels being carried out using clips or clips which

  no nl require the presence of qualified personnel nl the use of tools.

  Compared to the prior art, the pr6sonte Invention therefore offers many advantages and in particular: * reduced transport costs due to the very low weight and volume of the constructions according to the invention, * labor costs ot stay of qualified staff, weak or even nonexistent, only one unskilled or even unskilled person being sufficient for assembly and disassembly, * the ease and speed of setting up constructions with the information they need to present, this information can possibly be

  printed directly on the panels.

  The present invention therefore responds to crucial needs on the part of companies or individuals who use modular folding constructions, and which are therefore: * the search for savings in all areas, combined with * the imperative need to reinforce communication through greater

  dissemination of information media.

  * the miso at the disposal of all public of light and folding modular constructions, of compact dimensions and of easy construction, - 3-

  In the following description, references are made to the figures appended in

  Annex. These figures are intended to assist in understanding the description of this

  invention and can in no way be considered as limiting it.

  More particularly, the present invention relates to modular folding constructions comprising one or more basic elements, the basic element (Figure 1) consisting of a panel (1) of which two of the opposite and parallel sides have been folded or notched on part of the thickness of the material, for example over half of

  the thickness (notch to half-flesh), so as to form folds or flaps (2).

  These flaps (2) ensure the rigidity of the entire construction and allow

  also assembly with one or more other panels.

  The width of these folds or flaps is large enough to keep the panel in a vertical position and may represent, for example, from 1% to 10%, preferably from 2% to 7%, for example 5% of the width of the panel. For exemple,

  for a panel one meter wide, each of the flaps will be 5 cm wide.

  When the size of the panel is considered too large, another notch or another fold (3) perpendicular to the other two can be made to allow folding

of the said sign.

  When the assembly of two or more panels (1) between them is desired, this is carried out using clips or clips. The clip models presented under the number (4) constitute an example of assembly means, but it is understood that all the types of pliers or clips known to those skilled in the art and intended for this type of assembly may be suitable . For example, and depending on the nature of the material constituting the panels to be assembled, these clips or clips can be clips of all shapes and sizes, such as clothespins, "crocodile" clips, paper clips, etc. made of wood, paper,

  metal, plastic or any combination of these materials.

  Other assembly means such as staples, thumbtacks, needles, pins, glue, rivets, tamper-evident clips, etc. are also usable and included in the scope of

the present invention.

  Particularly preferred means of assembly are the clips (4) such as those presented in FIG. 2, the notch (5) of which allows two or more

several panels between them.

  -4- The preferred assembly clips will be in a light material so as not to weigh down the modular constructions. Preferably, the clips will consist of the same

  material that the constituent panels the constructions.

  The most suitable shape for these clips and the circle, but any other geometric shape (ellipse, rhombus, square, rectangle, etc.) is also suitable.

  The size of the notch (5) will depend on the number of panels to be assembled.

  This size will always be at most equal, preferably slightly less, to the thickness

  total of the panels to be assembled, so as to ensure effective and lasting support.

  The notch (5) can be of the most diverse forms, its sole function being the effective and lasting maintenance of two or more panels (1) between them. Thus the notch can be for example of rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, circular or ellipsoid shape. Preferably the shape of the notch will be rectangular or trapezoidal. The notches best suited for the clips of modular constructions according to the invention have a trapezoidal shape, that is to say that the bottom of the notch has a width slightly greater than the opening thereof, of

  so that the clip, engaged by force, ensures the clamping of the panels.

  In addition, the number of notches per clip may be greater than one, depending on the type of assembly to be performed. Clips (4 ') comprising two notches are for example entirely suitable for types of construction requiring "edge to edge" assemblies.

  edges "such as those shown in Figure 3.

  It is understood that the number of notches per clip as well as the thickness of each of these notches will depend on the type of assembly desired and will be

  left to the appreciation of the skilled person.

  Thus, the number of notches per clip will be 1 2, 3 or 4, but it may very well be envisaged clips with a larger number of notches, the shape of the clip being

  then adapted to maintain the rigidity necessary for said clip.

  In general, the concept of the clip is left to the appreciation of the person skilled in the art who can adapt its shape and its use for each of the types.

  of assemblies he will have to perform.

  Thus, the clips can also be folded, re-cut, glued, stapled, etc.

  on all or part of their surface, each of these specific features can be used alone or

  in combination with one or more others.

  -5 'Finally, the assembly means present in a modular construction can be different. We can by oxomple use a combination, depending on the complexity

  of the construction, all the assembly means defined above.

  The pannoaux, basic elements of the modular constructions according to the invention, can also be folded, curved, rounded, plied, etc., in order to give the modular modular constructions any possible shape, for decorative purposes or aesthetic or combined or not to Rigidity and / or coheslon Imperatives of the said

modular construction.

  Finally, any means enabling Io to hold the various panels together and / or with the aid of the previously defined clips is included in the field of the invention. It is thus possible, for example, to make notches, cutouts, slots, otc. .. in the different panels in order to pormottro the passage of one or more clips and / or another

  pannoau, in part or in its entirety.

  The modular constructions according to the invention, formed from panels comprising a fold or flap on each of soft parallel and opposite sides, may

  take all the geometric shapes compatible with the type of material used.

  The present Invontion also concerns the modular constructions formed

  of several modular constructions of identical or different geometric shapes.

  Examples of geometric shapes that can be taken from the constructions according to the invention are the flat surfaces (by circle, square, rectangle, etc.), the prisms of rectangular, square, triangular, trapezoidal section, etc. , the cylinders, of circular or ellipsoid section these circular or ellipsoid sections being able to be arcs of a circle or an ellipse, for example semicircles to form semi-cylinders

(Figure 4).

  When the material has too great a rigidity to give a rounded shape to the panels, it may be practiced on them with marks of pilings facilitating

  the miso one forms ratcheted roundings.

  Likewise, any type of folding mark can be made on the panels

  to facilitate their desired shaping.

  In addition, the modular constructions may contain panels assembled in a non-parallel manner between holes. They can thus be positioned 6- orthogonally, in order to form back covers or backs,

tablets, etc ...

  Cortaines constructions or parts of constructions that can be bisoautored and

  behaving elements which are not nl parallels nl orthogonal between them.

  The nature of the material constituting the panels used6 for modular constructions according to the invention is such that ello sleeps the creation of folds or flaps (2) by

  plage or by notch of said material, for example notch to ml-flesh.

  The nature of the material must be adjusted so that the folds or flaps (2) can be folded and unfolded a large number of times without causing deterioration of the material, such as breakage at the fold or notch, Alnsl, pannoaux used for the modular constructions according to the invention will be preferably sheets of single, double or triple fluted cardboard, thick and stiff papler, laminated papler and cardboard laminates, and composite laminates comprising

  from the eVou papler or from the cardboard or plastic matibros.

  Due to their performance, the materials used are preferably composite laminates. A typo do matérlau quite suitable for modular constructions according to the invention ost a composite material consisting of an expanded and extruded polymer, such as polystyrene, optionally covered on one or two dc sos faces by bundles or papler films, cardboard, plastic films, metallic films, magnetic or not, fabric or any other

  material may be in the form of sheets or films.

  Co type of material to be mixed, that is to say to be made of expanded polystyrene or extruded sandwiched between two excavations or films cll cl above, of nature

different.

  The sheets or films defined above will advantageously be able to present an Inscripliblo surface on which the desired information will be directly drawn, Printed,

screen-printed, etc.

  The taillo back panels permitting the realization of constructions according to

  lI'invention will be such that olle allows, in the rolled state, easy transport.

  Alnsl, the pannoaux will have a width ranging between 10 cm and 3 m, of

  preferably between 10 cm and a metro, and preferably one more meter.

  * 7- The length of these panels, which can be folded according to this dimension, will preferably be between 5 cm and 10 min, preferably between 20 cm and 5 m,

  preferably between 20 cm and 3 m.

  The thickness of the material will depend on its nature and the type of construction desired and will preferably be between 1 mm and 20 mm, more preferably between

  3 mm and 15 mm, and preferably between 3 mm and 10 mm.

  Likewise, the weight of the panels will depend on the nature of the material and the type of construction desired, but in any case it is sufficiently low to allow easy transport and handling. Alnsi, the pannel pold will preferably be between 100 g / m2 and 2500 g / m2, preferably between 100 g / m2 and 800 g / m2 and

  preferably oncore between 120 g / m2 and 400 g / m2.

  The constructions according to the invention will find, for example, their use in all the areas which require display panels, and in particular 10 areas do

  advertising on the place of vento and the area of the exhibition stand.

  Because of their great simplicity, modular constructions can also serve as tools for creating shapes in schools, educational centers,

  leisure, various training centers, otc ...

EXAMPLE

  By way of example and in order to illustrate the pre-invention, the construction presented

  in Figure 5 is explained below in detail.

  Cot exomple does not constitute any case do limit to the present invention mals should be interpreted as a help to the understanding of the subject of the present patent application, The modular construction presented in Figure 5 was made with a composite material of expanded and extruded polystyrene covered on each of its faces by Printable paplor. This material has a 3 mm weight and a 300 g / m2 pold. It has been cut out from co material: * 6 panels of 1 x 2 m, * 3 panels of 1 x 3 m, * 5 panels of 1 x 0.2 m, For each of the panels, 6 backs have been made entalile to ml- chalr at 5 cm back edges of the two opposite parallel sides ot 1 m apart. For the 2m - 8- and 3m panels, additional half-cut notches were made, perpendicular to the

previous and 1 m from the edges.

  In order to form the triangular section uprights, two notches for michair,

  parallel to the flaps were made 30 cm apart.

  From the same material as that used for the panels were then cut 28 circles of 10 cm in diameter in order to prepare the assembly clips. Rectangular notches with a depth of 5 cm are produced in these circles with different widths, namely: * 6 clips (4) with a notch of width slightly less than 6 mm, * 8 clips (4) with a notch of width slightly less than 9 mm, * 4 clips (4) with a notch of width slightly less than 12 mm, and * 10 clips (4 ') with two notches, each of slightly less width

at 3 mm.

  The construction thus produced can very easily be dismantled and reassembled by a single person. It has a display area of 22 m2 in total and weighs around 6.6 kg. When the construction is dismantled and folded, it occupies a

volume of 1 x 1 x 0.08 m.

99-

Claims (10)

  1. Folding modular constructions obtained by assembling panels characterized in that the panels have on two of their opposite and parallel sides a fold or notch so as to form folds or flaps, the folds or flaps of two contiguous panels being maintained   together using pliers or clips.   2. Modular constructions according to claim 1 characterized in that the panels optionally comprise one or more folds or additional notches perpendicular to the other two thus allowing the folding of said panels.   3. Modular constructions according to any one of claims 1   or 2 characterized in that the width of each of the folds or flaps represents from 1% to 10%, preferably from 2% to 7%, more preferably 5% of the width of the panel   4. Modular constructions according to any one of the claims   previous characterized in that the material is paper, cardboard or a composite material consisting of an expanded and extruded polymer, optionally covered on one or two of its faces by sheets or films of paper, cardboard, plastic films, metallic films magnetic or not, fabric or all   other materap which can be in the form of sheets or films.   5. Modular constructions according to claim 4 characterized in that the material is a composite material consisting of expanded and extruded polystyrene optionally covered on one or two of its faces by sheets or films of paper, cardboard, plastic films, magnetic metallic films or   no, fabric or any other material which may be in the form of sheets or films.   6. Modular constructions according to any one of the claims   previous characterized in that the panels are made of a material -10- having a weight between 100g / m2 and 2500 g / m2, preferably between 100   g / m2 and 800 g / m2 and more preferably between 120 g / m2 and 400 g / m2.   7. Modular constructions according to any one of the claims   previous characterized in that the panels are made of a material having a thickness between 1 mm and 20 mm, preferably between 3 mm   and 15 mm, and more preferably between 3 mm and 10 mm.   8. Modular constructions according to claim 1 characterized in that the assembly clips are made of the same material as the panels.   9. Modular constructions according to claims 1 and 8 characterized   in that the assembly clips have one or more notches whose width is slightly less than or equal to the total thickness of the panels that they have to assemble.   10. Use of modular constructions according to any one of   previous claims in the field of point-of-sale advertising,   in the area of the exhibition stand and as tools for creating shapes in schools, educational centers, leisure centers, and various training.