FR2790045A1 - Device for fastening panels together comprises female part with deformable cap above split sheath and male part with shaft which expands sheath and deforms cap to lock device - Google Patents

Abstract

Device comprises female part (2) inserted into holes (30, 40) in panels and male part (1) inserted into female part. Female part consists of elastic clip with cap (20) with central opening (24) connected to split sheath (21). Male part has shaft (10) which, when inserted, expands sheath and deforms cap to lock device.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for fixing two panels

  or the like, such as sheets, formed of two cooperating parts, a male part and a female part, intended to be inserted into openings made in these panels. Fixing devices are already known comprising two cooperating parts intended to be locked together to ensure the fixing of the two panels and which can be unlocked to release the

panels.

  However, these fixing devices are not always satisfactory with regard to the effectiveness of the locking or of the resistance to tearing and therefore, the solidity of the fixing. In addition, unlocking such devices is not

always easy to make.

  The object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a device for fixing two panels or the like having a good resistance to tearing when it is locked on the panels and which can moreover be easily

  unlocked to release the panels.

  Thus, the invention relates to a device for fixing two panels or the like, formed of two cooperating parts, a male part and a female part, intended to be inserted into openings made in said panel, characterized in that the male part is a rod and in that the female part is an elastically deformable clip in the general shape of a T, comprising a cap with an orifice for the passage of the rod, intended to come to bear on one of said panels after the device has been put in place, and a hollow foot in the extension of said orifice consisting of at least two legs which extend from said cap, the free end of the two legs being inclined towards the inside of the foot, in the direction of introduction of said rod, so that after insertion of the rod into the clip, the free end of the foot cooperates with the rod to

  oppose the tearing of the fixing device.

  Preferably, the male part is a threaded rod, the free end of the foot being intended to be inserted into the thread of the rod. This threaded rod advantageously comprises at least two smooth parts, each forming an axially extending flat, these smooth parts making it possible to unlock the fixing device according to the invention.

by rotation of the rod.

  Preferably, the rod comprises a head intended to come to bear on the cap of the clip when the device is locked on said panels, to

  create a constraint between the panels.

  The device according to the invention advantageously comprises at least one elastic tongue in the orifice of the clip for retaining the rod in the clip,

  before locking the device on said panels.

  Preferably, the outer surface of the staple foot corresponds to the shape of the openings made

in said panels.

  Finally, the clip of the device according to the invention is

  advantageously made of hardened steel.

  The invention also relates to an assembly consisting of a fixing device according to the invention and of two panels or the like in which openings are made and in which: the cumulative thickness of said panels is between 0.5 and 3 mm while the diameter of said openings is 7.7 mm, or the cumulative thickness of said panels is between 3 and 4.5 mm, while the diameter of said openings is 8.2 mm; - or the cumulative thickness of said panels is between 4.5 and 6 mm, while the diameter of said openings is 8.7 mm, - or the cumulative thickness of said panels is between 6 and 7 mm, while the diameter

of said openings is 9.2 mm.

  The invention will be better understood and other objects, advantages and characteristics thereof will appear

  more clearly on reading the detailed description

  which follows and refers to the appended drawings, given only by way of examples, and in which: - Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the fixing device according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 which shows the device according to the invention, during mounting on panels; - Figure 3 is an axial sectional view of the fixing device illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, once mounted on the panels; - Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a fixing device according to the invention, in the locked position on the panels; and - Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the fixing device according to the invention in

unlocked position.

  The elements common to the different figures will be

  designated by the same references.

  Figure 1 shows that the fixing device according to the invention consists of two cooperating parts, a male part 1 having the shape of a metal rod for example, and a female part 2 which constitutes an elastically deformable staple, also metallic. In the examples illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the rod 1 has a thread 10. However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment and the rod 1

can also be smooth.

  Furthermore, in the various appended figures, the male part comprises a head 11, the advantage of which will be described later. However, the fixing device according to the invention could comprise a part

  male consisting of a headless rod.

  Clip 2 has a general T-shape, the horizontal bar of which is the cap 20 and the bar

vertical, foot 21.

  The cap 20 is preferably constituted by a metal blank 22, partially hollowed out, and the edges 22a and 22b of which are folded. This makes the hat

20 elastically deformable.

  In the blank 22 is made an orifice 24 for the

passage of the rod 1.

  The cap 20 is extended by the foot 21 which is

  hollow and is located opposite the orifice 24.

  In the example of embodiment of the clip 2 which is shown in the figures, the foot 21 consists of two legs 23 and 25. Each of these legs 23, respectively 25 extends from a folded edge 22a, respectively 22b of the cap 20. In practice, the foot 21 and the cap 20 can be obtained from the same metal blank. However, the invention is not limited to

  this embodiment of clip 2.

  Furthermore, the foot 21 could include a

different number of legs.

  According to the invention, the free end 23a, 25a of the legs 23 and 25 is inclined towards the inside of the foot 21, in the direction of the introduction of the rod 1 into the clip

  2, that is to say from top to bottom in FIG. 1.

  In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the blank 22 also includes two tongues 26, 28

which extend into the orifice 24.

  The free end edge 26a, 28a of each of these tongues 26, 28 has a concave shape corresponding to the external shape of the rod 1, these two free end edges defining a passage whose dimensions are slightly smaller than the diameter of

the rod 1.

  Thus, even before mounting the fixing device on the panels 3 and 4, the screw 1 can be slightly engaged in the opening 24 of the clip 2 and be held there, thanks to the cooperation of the tabs 26 and 28 with the thread 10 of the rod 1. The fixing device according to the invention can thus be in the form of two parts, already made integral. This pre-assembly of the rod 1 and the clip 2 saves time when the fixing device according to the invention is put in place on the

panels 3 and 4.

  The two panels 3 and 4 on which the fixing device is intended to be mounted each comprise

  an opening 30, 40, which are arranged opposite

  screws when the panels are stacked.

  Of course, the diameter of the rod 1 and of the foot 21 of the clip 2 are chosen so that they

  can be inserted into these openings 30 and 40.

  The mounting of the fixing device according to the invention on the two superimposed panels 3 and 4 will

  now be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

  Referring firstly to FIG. 2 which shows the fixing device during assembly, the clip 2 has been inserted into the orifices 30, 40 by its base 21. The edges 22a and 22b of the clip are therefore in contact with the top panel 3, while the foot

21 extends beyond the panel 4.

  The rod 1 is then inserted into the opening 24, by its tip 12. As indicated above, if the rod 1 and the clip 2 have been pre-assembled, it will suffice to exert pressure on the head 11 for

  press the rod into the foot 21 of the clip.

  When the rod 1 is sufficiently pressed into the foot 21, it spreads the legs 23 and 25 outward due to the cooperation between the free ends 23a and 25a of the legs and the rod 1, which realizes the assembly of the panels 3 and 4. In addition, the cooperation between the free ends and the rod prevents any

stem extraction.

  Indeed, the free ends 23a and 25a are inclined towards the inside of the foot 21 and therefore come into contact with the rod 1 to block it, even if it is smooth. In the example shown in the figures, the rod 1 has a thread 10 and the free ends 23a and

a fit into the net.

  In addition, the ends 23a and 25a of the legs are

  inclined in the direction of introduction of the rod.

  Thus, they do not oppose the insertion of the rod 1 into the foot 21 but they oppose any tearing force which would tend to leave the rod of the

the clip.

  Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which illustrates the fixing device according to the invention mounted on the

panels 3 and 4.

  From the relative position of the rod 1 and the clip 2 illustrated in FIG. 2, the rod 1 has been pushed further into the clip 2, until its head 11 comes to bear on the clip . Clip 2 deforms elastically under the effect of the pressure exerted

by rod 1.

  The rod 1 puts the clip 2 under stress, which makes it possible to immobilize the panels 2 and 3 better and, in

  in particular, to avoid vibration phenomena.

  As previously indicated with regard to FIG. 2, the free ends 23a and 25a of the legs are inserted into the thread 10 of the rod 1 and therefore oppose any force which would tend to extract the rod 1 from

clip 2.

  The fixing device according to the invention is therefore then in the locked position, ensuring a

solid fixing.

  When it is desired to separate the panels 3 and 4, it suffices to unscrew the rod 1, for example by

  to a suitable tool which engages the head 11.

  The fixing device according to the invention can thus be easily unlocked. An alternative embodiment of the fixing device according to the invention will now be described in

reference to Figures 4 and 5.

  The fixing device according to the invention always comprises a rod 5 and a staple 6 in the form

  general of T and elastically deformable.

  The rod 5 differs from the threaded rod 1, in that it comprises two flats 50 and 51 diametrically

opposite and extending axially.

  Thus, the rod has two smooth parts which are connected to each other by threaded parts 52, 53. Furthermore, the rod 5 always has a head 54. The clip 6 comprises, like the clip 2 illustrated in

  Figures 1 to 3, a hat 60 and a foot 61.

  The cap 60 is formed from a strip of

  sheet metal hollowed out and folded back to make the hat elastic.

  It is extended by two legs 63 and 65 which form the

foot 61.

  Furthermore, the hollow foot is indeed in the extension of the opening 64 formed in the cap 6,

for the passage of the rod 5.

  Figure 4 shows the device according to the invention mounted on the panels 3 and 4, being inserted in the

  openings 30 and 40 of these panels.

  The rod 5 is inserted into the clip 6, so that its threaded parts 52 and 53 are in

  look of the two legs 63 and 65 of the foot 61.

  Thus, in this mounted position of the device, the free ends 63a and 65a of the legs are inserted into the thread of the threaded parts 52 and 53 of the rod 5

  and therefore oppose its extraction from the clip 6.

  In this variant embodiment, the fixing device according to the invention therefore provides effective locking. When it is desired to separate the panels 3 and 4, it suffices to turn the rod 5 by a quarter of a turn so that the smooth parts 50 and 51 are opposite the legs 63 and 65. The rod 5 can then be easily removed from clip 6, without it

need to be unscrewed.

  Of course, the rotation imparted to the rod 5 to unlock it depends on the structure of the rod and the foot and is not necessarily a quarter turn in

all cases.

  In this variant embodiment, the unlocking of the fixing device according to the invention is therefore faster than in the mode of

  embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.

  Generally, it is preferable that the external surface of the staple foot corresponds to the shape of the openings made in the panels 3 and 4, but this

it's not mandatory.

  The clip of the fixing device according to the invention is also advantageously made

in hardened steel.

  It has also been demonstrated that the same fixing device could be used for panels whose cumulative thickness varies, insofar as the diameter of the openings made in the

  panels is chosen appropriately.

  We can refer to the table below: cumulative thickness of 0.5 to 3 3 to 4.5 4.5 to 6 6 to 7 two panels (in mm) _ diameter of openings 7.7 8.2 8.7 9.2 (in mm) The invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described and it includes all their technical equivalents, as well as their combinations. In addition, the reference signs inserted after the technical characteristics appearing in the

  claims are intended only to facilitate the

  understanding of these and cannot limit them

the scope.

RE END I CATI OTNL

  1. Device for fixing two panels or the like, formed of two cooperating parts, a male part (1, 5) and a female part (2, 6), intended to be inserted in openings (30, 40) made in said panels (3, 4), characterized in that said male part (1, 5) is a rod and in that the female part (2, 6) is an elastically deformable staple in general T shape, comprising a cap (20 , 60) with an orifice (24, 64) for the passage of the rod (1, 5), intended to come into abutment on one of said panels after fitting of the device, and a hollow foot (21, 61) in the extension of said orifice (24, 64) consisting of at least two legs (23, 25; 63, 65) which extend from said cap, the free end (23a, 25a; 63a, 65a) of the two legs being inclined towards the inside of the foot, in the direction of introduction of said rod, so that after insertion of the rod into the clip, the free end of the foot cooperates e with the rod to oppose

  tearing of the fixing device.

  2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the male part is a threaded rod (1), the free end of the foot (21) being intended to be inserted

in the thread (10) of the rod.

  3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the threaded rod (5) comprises at least two smooth parts (50, 51) each forming a flat extending axially, these smooth parts making it possible to unlock the fixing device through

rotation of the rod.

  4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3,

  characterized in that said rod (1, 5) comprises a head (11, 54) intended to come to bear on the cap of the clip when the device is locked on said il panels (3, 4) to create a constraint between the signs.

  5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4,

  characterized in that at least one elastic tongue (26, 28) is provided in the orifice (24) of the clip (2) for retaining the rod (1) in the clip, before

  locking of the device on said panels.

  6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5,

  characterized in that the outer surface of the base (21, 61) of the clip (2, 6) corresponds to the shape of the openings (30, 40) made in said panels (3, 4).

  7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6,

  characterized in that the clip (2, 6) is made of

hardened steel.

  8. Assembly consisting of a fixing device

  according to one of claims 1 to 7 and two panels

  (3, 4) or the like in which openings (30, 40) are made, an assembly in which the cumulative thickness of said panels is between 0.5 and 3 mm,

  while the diameter of said openings is 7.7 mm.

  9. Assembly consisting of a fixing device

  according to one of claims 1 to 7 and two panels

  (3, 4) or the like in which openings (30, 40) are made, an assembly in which the cumulative thickness of said panels is between 3 and 4.5 mm,

  while the diameter of said openings is 8.2 mm.

  10. Assembly consisting of a fixing device

  according to one of claims 1 to 7 and two panels

  (3, 4) or the like in which openings (30, 40) are made, an assembly in which the cumulative thickness of said panels is between 4.5 and 6 mm,

  while the diameter of said openings is 8.7 mm.

  11. Assembly consisting of a fixing device

  according to one of claims 1 to 7 and two panels

  (3, 4) or the like in which openings (30, 40) are made, an assembly in which the cumulative thickness of said panels is between 6 and 7 mm,

  while the diameter of said openings is 9.2 mm.