FR2964683A1 - Coating structure for coating e.g. masonry wall, has elastic contact part arranged to cooperate with one of retaining surfaces from sets of retaining surfaces by being resiliently biased against retaining surface - Google Patents

Abstract

The structure has a casement including a core bordered by a frame to define retaining edges. A wall tile is mounted removably on the retaining edges. The casement is fixed to a wall. The frame includes two sets of retaining elements (60), where one of the retaining elements from the sets of the retaining elements is an elastic retaining element with an elastic contact part that is arranged to cooperate with one of retaining surfaces (41, 43) from sets of retaining surfaces by being resiliently biased against the retaining surface.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of coating structures, in particular those intended to cover a wall. Document US 2009/0313919 A1 already discloses a covering structure comprising a frame which has at least one cell bordered by a frame projecting from the frame to form a first joining member which defines a pair of retaining surfaces at least a covering tile which is adapted to be removably mounted on the frame and which is retained by its rear face relative to the frame in at least a first direction, wherein, to retain the tile in the first direction, a second joint member; protrudes from the rear face of the tile and defines a pair of retainers respectively adapted to cooperate with each of the two retaining surfaces of the pair of retaining surfaces. According to this known type of coating structure, it is provided that each of the two retaining members of the pair of retaining members comprises at its distal end a clipping element, and that each of the two retaining surfaces of the pair of surfaces. retaining device has a clipping recess in which the corresponding clipping element is able to engage when the tile is mounted on the frame. Thus, according to this known type of cladding structure, the clipping element is at rest by being engaged in the corresponding clipping recess of the frame when the tile is mounted on the frame, which means that the clip element is not elastically biased by the corresponding retaining surface of the pair of retaining surfaces when the tile is mounted on the frame. As a result, to dismount the frame tile, it is necessary to remove each of the two clipping members of the pair of retaining members from its rest state by biasing elastically so as to dislodge its clipping recess , which necessarily involves a user intervention from the rear of the frame, that is to say from the side opposite to that from which the front face of the tile is visible when the latter is mounted on the frame. This manipulation proves difficult and tedious, if not impossible if the rear of the chassis is not accessible to the user. The present invention proposes to substantially remedy this disadvantage.

More particularly, a coating structure according to the present invention comprises at least one frame having at least one cell bordered by a frame so as to define at least one retaining circumference at least one covering tile which is adapted to be removably mounted on a least the retaining circumference and which is adapted to be retained by its rear face at least with respect to the retaining circumference in at least a first direction, in which, to retain the tile in the first direction, a first of the elements constituted by the rear face of the tile and the retaining periphery comprises at least one pair of projecting retaining surfaces which are spaced in the first direction, while the second of said elements comprises at least one pair of retaining members respectively adapted to cooperate by friction with each of the two retaining surfaces of the pair of retaining surfaces at two opposite edges of the a retaining structure, the covering structure being characterized in that the frame is adapted to be fixed to a wall and in that at least one of the retaining members of the pair of retaining members is an elastic retaining member comprising an elastic contact portion which is configured to cooperate with one of the retaining surfaces of the pair of retaining surfaces by elastically biased against said retaining surface. With the present invention, the elastic contact portion of the resilient retaining member is configured to cooperate with the corresponding retaining surface of the pair of retaining surfaces by resiliently biased against said retaining surface when the tile is mounted on the frame, so that the elastic contact portion remains permanently in a state of elastic bias when the tile is mounted on the frame. It follows that thanks to the present invention, it suffices for a simple amplification of the elastic bias which is exerted permanently on the elastic contact portion to disassemble the frame tile, which the user can easily perform by manipulating the tile from the front of the chassis. Therefore, thanks to the present invention, the tile can be not only very easily mounted on the frame and effectively retained on the latter, but also be very easily removed from the front of the frame. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the frame is adapted to be fixed to a wall. By this expression is meant that the frame is able to be fixed, directly or via any spacing element, for example an additional frame distinct from the covering structure, on any wall, that the latter is vertical, inclined relative to the vertical, or even horizontal in the case for example of a floor or a ceiling, and that the latter is a masonry wall, a wall, a partition, a simple separation or other, provided only that the frame can be immobilized in position. According to the present invention, the coating structure comprises at least one frame. It is thus understood that a coating structure according to the present invention may comprise one or more frames which are advantageously but not necessarily analogous to each other. According to the present invention, the chassis comprises at least one cell surrounded by a frame. It is thus understood that a frame according to the present invention may comprise one or more cells which are advantageously but not necessarily analogous to each other. According to the present invention, the coating structure comprises at least one coating tile. It is thus understood that a coating structure according to the present invention may comprise one or more tiles which may be but not necessarily analogous to each other. According to the present invention, a cover tile is to be understood as having any shape having a thickness which is not necessarily constant, the only imposed constraint being that the tile has a face which is not necessarily continuous but suitable for defining a backside. suitable for holding at least in relation to the retaining circumference. Preferably, the shape of the tile is substantially that of a straight prism, for example of low height so that the tile has a small thickness, having two bases, one of which defines the rear face of the tile. said two bases being of arbitrary polygonal shape, for example a circle or a regular polygon, preferably a square, a rectangle, a triangle, or the like. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the tile may be made of any material or any composition of materials, for example at least partially made of plastic, metal, wood, cement, or other, provided only that the tile is sufficiently rigid to be able to be mounted and retained on the frame, which does not exclude that the tile may have some flexibility. According to the present invention, the coating structure comprises at least one pair of retaining surfaces and at least one pair of retaining members. It is thus understood that a coating structure according to the present invention may comprise one or more pairs of retaining surfaces advantageously but not necessarily analogous to each other, and one or more pairs of retaining members advantageously but not necessarily analogous to each other. . It should further be understood that a coating structure according to the present invention does not necessarily have a number of pairs of retaining surfaces equal to the number of pairs of retaining members, provided only that the coating structure comprises at least one pair of retaining surfaces and at least one pair of retaining members respectively adapted to cooperate with each of the two retaining surfaces of said pair of retaining surfaces. According to a first advantageous configuration of the invention, the retaining circumference is defined by the frame bordering the cell. It is thus understood that any edge that has the frame necessarily defines an edge of the retaining periphery, so that the two opposite edges of the retaining periphery, at which the two retaining members of the pair of retaining members are respectively capable frictionally engaging each of the two retaining surfaces of the pair of retaining surfaces are defined by two opposite edges of a single frame.

Thus, according to the first advantageous configuration of the invention, the coating structure comprises at least one frame having at least one cell surrounded by a frame; at least one covering tile which is adapted to be removably mounted on at least the frame and which is adapted to be retained by its rear face at least in relation to the frame in at least a first direction, in which, to retain the tile in in the first direction, a first one of the elements consisting of the rear face of the tile and the frame has at least one pair of projecting retaining surfaces which are spaced in the first direction, while the second of the elements comprises at least one pair of retainers respectively adapted to frictionally engage each of the two retaining surfaces of the pair of retaining surfaces at two opposite edges of the frame, wherein the frame is adapted to be attached to a wall and wherein at least one retaining members of the pair of retaining members is an elastic retaining member having an elastic contact portion which is configured to cooperate with one of the retaining surfaces of the pair of retaining surfaces being biased resiliently against said retaining surface. According to this first configuration of the invention, the frame bordering the cell may have any shape, provided only that the retaining edge that it defines is able to retain the rear face of the tile in at least a first direction, that two retaining members of the pair of retaining members can cooperate with one of the two retaining surfaces of the pair of retaining surfaces at a first edge of the frame, and that the other retaining member of the pair of retaining members may cooperate with the other retaining surface of the pair of retaining surfaces at a second frame edge which is opposed to the first one. Such a first configuration is particularly advantageous when the facing tile has dimensions of substantially the same order of magnitude as those of the frame because it allows the retention of the rear face of the tile with respect to a single frame. However, it may be advantageous to use a second configuration when the cladding tile has dimensions substantially greater than that of the frame.

Thus, according to a second advantageous configuration of the invention, the frame has several cells each bordered by a frame, and the extreme edges of the plurality of frames thus formed define the retaining circumference. It is thus understood that having a chassis having a plurality of cells, the latter comprises a plurality of frames which each border a cell and which each comprise a number of borders. The set consisting of all these borders, without distinction of the frame to which they belong, then comprises a number of so-called extremal borders which are found in extreme positions relative to other edges of the set which are not. These extreme edges thus define the perimeter of restraint. It is thus understood that, according to this second advantageous configuration of the invention, the two opposite edges of the retaining periphery, at which the two retaining members of the pair of retaining members are respectively capable of frictionally engaging with each of the two retaining surfaces of the pair of retaining surfaces are defined by two extremal edges which are not necessarily facing each other and which may belong to both a single frame and two distinct frames, depending on the respective shape of the frames composing the plurality of frames and the relative positions of these frames together. According to this second configuration of the invention, each of the frames forming the plurality of frames may have any shape, provided only that the retaining periphery formed by the extreme edges of this plurality of frames is able to retain the rear face of the tile according to less a first direction, one of the two retaining members of the pair of retaining members may cooperate with one of the two retaining surfaces of the pair of retaining surfaces at a first edge of the retaining circumference and that the other retaining member of the pair of retaining members can cooperate with the other retaining surface of the pair of retaining surfaces at a second edge of the retaining circumference which is opposite the first one. Advantageously, the frame has a first cavity bordered by a first frame so as to define a first retaining circumference which is defined by the first frame, and a plurality of second cells each bordered by a second frame so as to define a second retaining circumference which is defined by the extreme edges of the plurality of second frames thus formed, it is thus understood that the frame may comprise simultaneously first and second retaining edges which are respectively configured according to the first and second previously described configurations. It is then possible to provide the retention of a tile, for example having very large dimensions, simultaneously on the first and second retaining edges.

Alternatively, it is then possible to provide the retention of a first tile, having for example small dimensions, on the first retaining rim, as well as the retention of a second tile, having for example larger dimensions, on the second perimeter of restraint.

It should thus be understood that, according to the present invention, the number of retaining edges that a chassis has is not necessarily equal to the number of tiles to be mounted on the chassis. Thus, the number of retaining rims can be advantageously greater than the number of tiles to be mounted on the frame, so that at least one tile can be removably mounted on at least two retaining edges and be retained by its rear face. relative to at least two retaining edges, which is better when the tile has large dimensions. It should further be understood that, according to the present invention, the second advantageous configuration according to which the retaining circumference is defined by the extreme edges of a plurality of frames, represents only a preferred solution for retaining a tile with respect to more than one frame, so that one could provide, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the realization of a retaining edge that would be defined using other edges than the extreme edges for any plurality of frames , provided only that the retaining circumference has at least two opposite edges. For example, one could provide for the definition of a retaining circumference that would consist of two adjacent edges that belong to two separate frames and that would be spaced in the first direction. Advantageously, the elastic contact portion comprises an elastic blade which has two ends integral with the resilient retaining member, which is a simple solution for producing a resilient retaining member in one piece, for example by molding. Advantageously, the elastic blade has at least one corrugation, preferably at least two, which in particular makes it possible to reduce the mechanical stresses exerted on the elastic blade when the latter is in a state of elastic biasing. Advantageously, at least one of the retaining members of the pair of retaining members is an insert on the second element, which simplifies the method of producing the coating structure by providing for a separate manufacture of said retaining member and said second element when the shape of the latter makes it difficult to manufacture in one piece.

Advantageously, at least the elastic retaining member of the pair of retaining members is an insert on the second element, which allows to provide a form for the elastic retaining member which is optimized to perform its function without the realization of this form does not affect the simplicity of manufacture of the second element.

Advantageously, the other retaining member of the pair of retaining members is a reference retaining member, whose cooperation with the other retaining surface of the pair of retaining surfaces defines a reference position of the tile relative to at the retaining edge in the first direction.

It has been previously stated that, according to the present invention, the tile may be made of any material, provided it has sufficient rigidity to be able to be mounted and retained relative to the retaining circumference. However, some materials, for example plastic materials, have a high coefficient of thermal expansion. Therefore, it is understood that by providing the definition of a reference position of the tile relative to the retaining perimeter in the first direction, any variation in dimension of the tile in the first direction resulting from a thermal expansion will be reflected almost completely. at the resilient retaining member which cooperating resiliently with the corresponding retaining surface will compensate for this thermal expansion, while the position of the tile relative to the retaining circumference will remain almost unchanged at the reference retaining member which defines by cooperation with the corresponding holding surface the reference position. It is thus understood that when the coating structure according to the present invention comprises a row of several tiles arranged in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, the overall aesthetics of these tiles will be better because they can be properly aligned with respect to a common line of reference positions that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction and whose location remains unchanged despite a change in temperature, even in the case where the tiles would have distinct values of coefficient of thermal expansion. It is also understood that when the coating structure according to the present invention comprises several rows of the type previously described, it is possible to provide a restricted joint space between the different rows thanks to the fact that the position of a tile relative to the periphery of retained remains almost unchanged at the reference retaining member which defines in cooperation with the corresponding retaining surface the reference position.

Advantageously, the first element is the rear face of the tile while the second element is the retaining rim. It is thus understood that the rear face of the tile comprises at least one pair of retaining surfaces, while the retaining periphery comprises at least one pair of retaining members.

According to an advantageous alternative, the first element is the retaining periphery, while the second element is the rear face of the tile. It is thus understood that the retaining circumference comprises at least one pair of retaining surfaces, while the rear face of the tile comprises at least one pair of retaining members.

Advantageously, at least one of the retaining members of the pair of retaining members is defined by one of said two edges of the retaining circumference. Advantageously, at least one of said two edges of the retaining periphery is covered at least in part with a coating of elastic material, for example rubber, which defines the elastic contact portion of the retaining member. Advantageously, at least one retaining surface of the pair of retaining surfaces is formed integrally with the rear face of the tile, preferably by molding. It is understood that one can thus achieve very easily and cheaply a tile adapted to be retained by its rear face on the frame. Advantageously, at least one retaining surface of the pair of retaining surfaces is ribbed.

It is thus understood that when such a retaining surface is made by molding a part, the latter will have local extra thicknesses which will serve as useful parts defining the retaining surface and which will stiffen the molded part, while the rest of the piece will have a minimum thickness so as to minimize the shrinkage (surface defects may appear during the cooling of the room under the effect of removal of the mold). Advantageously, at least one retaining surface of the pair of retaining surfaces is inclined relative to the perpendicular to the rear face of the tile when the latter is mounted on the retaining periphery, which makes it possible to amplify the frictional force. which is exerted between said one retaining surface and the corresponding retaining member of the pair of retaining members when the tile is retained relative to the retaining circumference. As a result, the tile is more firmly retained relative to the retaining circumference, so that inadvertent disassembly of the tile can be more effectively avoided.

Advantageously, the tile is adapted to be wedged relative to the retaining circumference in a second direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. It is thus understood that having the tile retained relative to the frame in the first direction and wedged relative thereto in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a single position of the tile relative to the frame is completely defined. In particular, it is thus understood that, when the covering structure comprises several tiles, it is then easier to mount the tiles independently of one another without the risk that the position of a tile previously mounted on the frame will impede the mounting of the tile. a tile being laid. Advantageously, to wedge the tile in the second direction, one of said first and second elements constituted by the rear face of the tile and the retaining periphery comprises at least one pair of projecting positioning surfaces which are spaced in the second direction, while the other element comprises at least one pair of wedging members respectively adapted to cooperate with each of the positioning surfaces of the pair of positioning surfaces abutting against it at two other opposite edges of the periphery of detention. It is thus understood that the retaining circumference has two opposite edges, and that one of the two wedging members of the pair of wedging members is adapted to cooperate with one of the two positioning surfaces of the pair of positioning surfaces. at a first of these two edges, and that the other wedging member of the pair of wedging members is adapted to cooperate with the other positioning surface of the pair of positioning surfaces at the level of the another edge of the retaining edge that is opposite to the first.

As previously described, the presence of a resilient retaining member having an elastic contact portion configured to cooperate with the corresponding retaining surface being elastically biased against the latter implies that the biasing of the elastic contact portion is amplified, advantageously by a manipulation of the tile from the front of the frame, to allow the dismantling of the tile. Thus, it is preferable that the tile is simply wedged with respect to the frame in the second direction, so that this amplification operation of the biasing of the elastic contact portion of the resilient retaining member is not hampered. by excessive frictional force exerted between the wedging members and the positioning surfaces. Advantageously, at least one of the wedging members of the pair of wedging members is an elastic wedging member comprising a bearing portion configured to be resiliently biased against one of the positioning surfaces of the pair of positioning surfaces.

Advantageously, the other wedge member of the pair of wedging members is a reference wedging member, whose cooperation with the other positioning surface of the pair of positioning surfaces defines a reference position in the second direction. relative to the retaining circumference, which makes it possible to obtain, in the second direction, the same advantageous effect as that previously described for the first direction in the case where the pair of retaining members comprises a reference retaining member. Advantageously, the coating structure comprises at least in one direction of the wall a plurality of frames adapted to be fixed together in pairs, which allows to adapt in a modular manner the dimensions of the coating structure to those of the wall to be coated. Advantageously, the coating structure comprises in a longitudinal direction of the wall at least two first frames adapted to be fixed together in pairs, and in a lateral direction of the wall which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction at least two second frames adapted to be fixed set two by two and able to be attached to the first frame. According to the present invention, the longitudinal and lateral directions may form a non-straight angle with the previously mentioned first and second directions.

The invention will be better understood and its advantages will appear better on reading the following detailed description of embodiments given by way of non-limiting examples. The description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows a perspective front side view of a coating structure according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the coating structure shown in Figure 1; FIGS. 3 and 4 show respectively a perspective view on the front and rear side of a frame of the coating structure according to the present invention as it comes out of a production line; Figure 5 is a view of detail B of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a detail view C of Figure 4; Figure 7 shows a front view of a frame of the coating structure according to the present invention which illustrates the attachment of this frame directly to a wall; Figure 8 is a detail view D of Figure 7; FIGS. 9 and 10 each represent a front view of a frame of the covering structure according to the present invention, which illustrate the attachment of this frame to rails which are themselves fixed to a wall; Fig. 11 shows an exploded perspective view on the front side of two frames of the coating structure according to the present invention which are being fastened together; Figures 12A, 12B and 12C show three perspective views of a resilient retaining member of the coating structure according to the present invention; Figure 13 is a partial exploded perspective view illustrating for a coating structure according to the present invention the attachment of resilient retaining members on a frame; Figure 14 is a front plan view corresponding to the view of Figure 13; Fig. 15 is a detail view E of Fig. 14; Figs. 16A and 16B show respectively a perspective view of first and second variants of coating tiles of the coating structure according to the present invention; Figure 17 is a rear plan view corresponding to detail A of Figure 2; Figure 18 is a perspective view illustrating the mounting of two coating tiles respectively on retaining edges 20 arranged in first and second configurations. In Figures 1 to 18 there is shown a coating structure according to the present invention. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the covering structure 1 comprises a frame 10 provided with cells 12 which are each bordered by a frame 14, and several tiles 30 of different dimensions of coating which are each able to be removably mounted on at least one retaining circumference defined by the borders of one or more frame (s) 14. As particularly highlighted in FIG. 3, the frame 10 is generally of parallelepipedal shape. It has a length L in the first direction X of a Cartesian coordinate system, a width I in the second direction Y of the marker and a thickness e in the third direction Z of the marker.

The thickness e of the frame 10 is advantageously small in front of the length L and the width I of the latter, so that it comprises two main faces which are its front and rear faces. By front face is meant the face of the frame 10 which is parallel to the XY plane and on which the tiles 30 of coating are mounted. It is therefore the face that is intended to be visible by the user once the assembly structure 1 assembly. Conversely, the rear face is meant to designate the other face of the frame 10 which is parallel to the XY plane. In the figures, the front face has arbitrarily been chosen to be the one with the smallest coordinate along the Z axis and the back face as the one with the largest coordinate along the Z axis. As illustrated, the frame 10 has thirty-two cells 12 which are regularly spaced in the X and Y directions of the frame 10, so as to be distributed in eight rows which each comprise four cells 12, and which each extend in accordance with FIG. direction Y. Each cell 12 is bordered by a frame 14. According to the illustrated example, all the cells 12 and all the frames 14 are substantially identical to each other, so that only the frame 14 of a cell 12 will be described. Subsequently, the "edges" of the frame 14 will be referred to as the various edges of the latter which are formed in the frame 10 and as the "outline" of the frame 14, the shape defined by the intersection of the borders with the front face of the frame. 10. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the outline of the frame 14 is of rectangular shape and has two lengths a in the direction X and two widths b 25 in the direction Y. The frame 10 is able to be fixed to a wall. As previously stated, the term "wall-mountable" should be interpreted with a very broad meaning. Thus, according to a first example illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the chassis 10 can be fixed directly on a wall 2 alternately. Alternatively, according to a second example illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the chassis 10 is fixed on rails 3 forming an additional frame which itself is fixed on the wall 2. This solution is particularly advantageous because it makes it possible to use the presence of rails 3, which are initially installed in wall on the wall 2 for a completely different destination, by example so as to allow the installation of thermal insulation elements, for fixing the frame 10 on the wall 2.

To achieve the attachment of the frame 10 directly to the wall 2 or the rails 3, the frame 10 comprises several primary and secondary screwing locations 16 and 16 which constitute means for fixing the frame to the wall. The primary screwing places 16 are formed in the front face of the frame 10, near the contour of the cells 12 and open into the rear face of the frame 10. They take the form of cylindrical bores and are each provided with a counterbore facing side front of the frame 10. The secondary screwing places 17 extend inside the cells 12 protruding from a border of their frame 14. They are shaped into oblong opening holes.

The fixation of the frame 10 on the wall 2 or on the rails 3 is carried out by introducing screws 100 into primary and secondary screwing places 16 of the frame 10 so that the screws 100 engage in the wall 2 or in the rails 3. The frame 10 is advantageously made of plastic by any conventional molding technique. The use of a molding technique offers the particular advantage of allowing low cost mass production of the frame 10 while leaving a great freedom of choice in the forms of the latter. In particular, it is possible through the use of a molding technique to realize in one piece (unitarily) the frame 10 with other parts that will be intended to be detached from the frame 10 to be used. More specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6, it is possible to mold the frame 10 so that said pieces to be detached are initially connected to the frame 10 by a small bead of material which will have to be broken in order to release and be able to use these pieces. The parts to be detached are molded with the frame 10 so as to be initially connected by a bead of material at the periphery of the secondary screwing places 17 and thus projecting inside the cells 12.

According to the illustrated example, the parts to be detached comprise several adjustment parts 110 and several connecting elements 120 described a little further. The adjustment pieces 110 are generally symmetrical of revolution and comprise a central bore. They are intended to be engaged in the chambered boring primary screwing places 16 which have a desired drilling diameter intentionally too large compared to the nominal diameter of the screws 100 to use. It is thus understood that by providing a useful diameter for the central drilling of the adjustment pieces 110 which is adjusted to the nominal diameter of the screws 100, it is then possible to precisely control the residual clearance between the screws 100 and the adjustment pieces. 110 and therefore position the frame 10 on the wall 2 or rails 3 with good accuracy despite the fact that the frame 10 is made by a molding technique and has large dimensions. As illustrated in Figure 11, the coating structure may comprise at least in one direction of the wall a plurality of frames 10 which are adapted to be fixed together in pairs. According to the illustrated example, two frames 10 are fixed together in a direction of the wall which is advantageously provided parallel to the direction Y. To allow the attachment of two frames 10 together, each frame 10 advantageously has a plurality of notches 18 which are formed in the thickness of the frame 10 on the longitudinal and lateral edges of the latter. Each notch 18 is open on the back side of the frame 10. According to the illustrated example, the position in the X direction of the notches 18 is identical on the two longitudinal edges of the frame and the position in the Y direction of the notches 18 is identical on the two side edges of the frame 10. It is thus understood that the notches 18 of one of the edges of a first frame 10 can come into correspondence with the notches 18 of the opposite edge of a second frame 10 when these two frames are abutted edge- on board. To fix the two frames 10 together, it suffices to engage a connecting element 120 of at least one of the pairs of notches 18 found in correspondence once the two frames 10 abutted edge-to-edge. The connecting element 120 may advantageously be in a cylindrical shape and comprise a central portion of diameter adapted so as to be introduced into the two notches 18 of the pair of corresponding notches, and two ends of diameter greater than the dimension of the notches 18 so as to keep the two frames 10 pressed against each other. Each tile 30 is adapted to be removably mounted on at least one retaining rim and adapted to be retained by its rear face 32 at least with respect to said retaining circumference. As illustrated in particular in Figures 14 and 17, the rear face 32 of the tile 30 comprises two pairs of retaining surfaces 41,43, while the frame 14 has two pairs of retaining members 50,60.

According to the illustrated example, all the cells 12 and all the frames 14 are substantially identical to each other, and each comprise at least one pair of retaining members 50, 60, so that such a frame 10 allows the mounting of tiles 30 of coating including the two configurations that will now be detailed.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, the first configuration allows the mounting of a tile advantageously having dimensions of the same order of magnitude as those of a frame 14. The first configuration provides the retention of the tile 30 by its rear face with respect to a frame 14 in the direction X. It is thus understood that, according to the first configuration, the retaining edge p1, relative to which the rear face 32 of the tile is adapted to be retained in the X direction, is defined by a single and unique 14. As a result, the restraint is carried out in such a way that each of the two retaining members 50, 60 of one and the same pair of retaining members that the frame 14 comprises are respectively capable of frictionally engaging with each other. each of the two retaining surfaces 41, 43, of a pair of retaining surfaces that comprise the rear face 32 of the tile 30, at two opposite edges of said frame 14 which, according to the illustrated example, are spaced apart by Thus, according to the first configuration, the retaining circumference p1 is such that the frame 14 comprises not only the first of the two retaining members 50 of the pair of retaining members which is able to cooperate by friction with a first of the two retaining surfaces 41 of the pair of surfaces retained at a first edge of the frame 14 defining a first edge of the retaining periphery p1, but also the other retaining member 60 of the pair of retainer which is capable of frictionally engaging the other retaining surface 43 of the pair of retaining surfaces at a second edge of said frame 14 which is opposed to said first edge and which defines a second edge of the retaining circumference p1.

The second configuration allows the mounting of a tile 30 advantageously having large dimensions relative to those of a frame 14. According to the example illustrated in Figure 18, the tile 30 has a length and a width that represent about four times the length a and width b of a frame 14, so that the tile 30 covers at least 4x4 = 16 frames when it is mounted on the frame 10. The second configuration provides the retention of the tile 30 by its back side relative a p2 retaining edge whose definition implements borders of twelve frames 14 among the sixteen raised each bordering a cell 12.

More precisely, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 18, the retaining circumference p2 is defined by the extreme edges of the plurality of frames 14 formed by the sixteen cells 12 covered by the tile 30 when the latter is mounted on the frame 10. It will thus be understood that, according to the illustrated example of the second configuration, the retaining circumference p2 is defined by certain borders of several frames 14. As a result, the restraint is made in such a way that a retaining member 50 comprises a first frame 14 is adapted to cooperate by friction with one of the two retaining surfaces 41 of the pair of retaining surfaces at a first edge of the perimeter retaining p2 which is defined by a first extreme edge belonging to the first frame 14, while another retaining member 60 that includes a second frame 14 separate from the first is adapted to cooperate by friction with the other retaining surface 43 of the pair of surf retaining aces at a second edge of the perimeter retaining p2 which is defined by an extreme edge belonging to the second frame 14 which is opposite the first edge and which, according to the illustrated example, is spaced from the first edge according to the direction X. As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the frame 14 of the cell 12 comprises a flange 20 which is substantially contained in a plane parallel to the XY plane and which has a thickness in the direction Z, thus creating a relief in the rear face of the frame 10. The rim 20 has generally a form of two-winged bracket 20a, 20b, with the first of the two wings 20a extending the frame 14 in the direction X at a first of two lengths a its contour, while the second of the two wings 20b extends around the frame 14 in the direction Y at a first of two widths b of its contour. The frame 14 is however not extended to the levels of the second length and the second width of its contour, so that it is delimited at these 10 levels by edges substantially parallel to the Z direction. Two holes opening 24 are formed in each of the two flanges 20a, 20b of the flange 20. As illustrated in FIG. 13, two elastic retaining members 50 are fixed on the second flange 20b of the flange 20 respectively via each of the two holes opening 24. Once in place, each of the two resilient retaining members 50 faces the border of the frame 14 which delimits the latter at its second width b. Said wall thus delimits two reference retaining members 60. Since the two reference retaining members 60 are formed at the level of the second width b, and since the second width b is opposite the first width b, the two members of FIG. 60 are respectively facing each of the two elastic retaining members 50. It is thus understood that the frame 14 comprises two pairs of retaining members 50, 60 which are each formed by an elastic retaining member 50 and 25 reference retaining member 60 facing it. Further, it is understood that the cooperation of each of the reference retaining members 60 with a corresponding retaining surface 43 defines a reference position PDX of the facing tile 30 with respect to a border of the frame 14 in the X direction (see FIG. 17). According to the illustrated example, the two elastic retaining members 50 are identical, so that only one of them will now be described. The resilient retaining member 50 has an elastic contact portion 56 which is configured to cooperate with a corresponding retaining surface 41 of the pair of corresponding retaining surfaces by resiliently biased against said retaining surface 41. As shown in Figs. 12A , 12B and 12C, the elastic retainer 50 comprises a base plate 52; a fixing pin 54 protruding under the base plate 52 substantially from the center of the latter two connecting portions 55 projecting respectively from an opposite edge of the base plate 50; and an elastic contact portion 56 shaped as an elastic blade comprising two ends 57 which are respectively integral with each of the two connecting portions 55.

According to the illustrated example, the elastic blade 56 comprises two ends 57 of curved shape; two straight segments 58 respectively in the extension of each of the two ends 57; and a central segment 59 interconnecting the two straight segments 58. The central segment 59 comprises a substantially V-shaped central portion 59a at each end of which is connected an arcuate portion 59b. The end of each of the two arcuate portions 59b, which is opposite the end of said arcuate portion 59b which is connected to the central portion 59a, is connected to the end of the corresponding straight segment 58 which is opposed to the end of said straight segment 58 which is connected to the corresponding end 57.

It is thus understood that the elastic blade 56 has two corrugations by virtue of the presence of the two arcuate portions 59b. The resilient retaining member 50 as previously described is an insert which is fixed to the frame 14 of the frame 10 by cooperation of its fixing lug 54 with a through hole 24 of the second flange 20b of the flange 20 of the frame 14 As best illustrated in Figures 14 and 15, the resilient retaining member 50 is fixed on the flange 20 of the frame 14 on the front side of the frame 10 so as to have the apices of the two arcuate portions 59b directed towards the border of the frame 14. defining the reference retainers 60.

In FIG. 16A, there is shown a first variant of a coating tile 30, which is adapted to be removably mounted on a retaining periphery p according to the first configuration previously described.

The facing tile 30 is of parallelepipedal shape and has two larger surfaces, one of which defines the rear face 32 of the tile 30. Four identical salient elements 40 project from the rear face 32 of the tile 30. The first and second of them are disposed on the rear face 32 of the tile 30 so as to face the third and fourth of them being rotated at 1800 relative thereto. It is thus understood that the first and third projecting elements 40 allow the definition of a first pair of retaining surfaces 41, 43 which are spaced in the X direction of the frame 10 when the tile 30 is mounted on the retaining circumference p1 and which are configured to cooperate respectively with each of the two retaining members 50, 60 of one of the two pairs of retaining members of the frame 14, while the second and fourth projecting elements 40 form a second pair of retaining surfaces 41, 43 which are spaced in the X direction and which are configured to cooperate with the retaining members 50, 60 of the other pair of retaining members of the frame 14. One will now describe one of these four salient elements 40. The shape The base of the projecting element 40 is substantially that of a right prism which has two identical bases 44 in the shape of a right trapezium, and which is joined to the rear face 32 of the tile 30 by its face. atéral in correspondence with the edge of the small base of the trapezium rectangle. The lateral face of the right prism in correspondence with the inclined stop adjacent to the small base of the rectangle trapezoid defines the retaining surface 41, 43 previously described.

It is thus understood that the retaining surface 41, 43 of a pair of retaining surfaces is inclined with respect to the perpendicular to the rear face 32 of the tile 30. Since in the example shown it is the rear face 32 of the tile which has the pair of retaining surfaces, the retaining surface 41,43 is therefore also inclined relative to the perpendicular to the rear face 32 of the tile 30 when the latter is mounted on the frame 14 of the frame 12. The tile 30 is advantageously produced by molding, preferably by bi-injection so that the base material of the tile 30 may have properties different from those of the projecting elements 40.

It is thus understood that the retaining surfaces 41, 43 of the two pairs of retaining surfaces and the rear face 32 of the tile are formed in one piece. In order to minimize the shrinkage that may result from the manufacture of the tile 30 by a molding process, it is preferable that the thicknesses of the projecting member 40 be reduced to a minimum, which can easily be done by ribbing the retaining surface. 41.43. Once ribbed, the projecting element 40 comprises a straight wall 45 projecting from the rear face 32 of the tile substantially perpendicular to the latter; and advantageously four ribs 46 projecting from the right wall 45. Since the basic shape of the projecting element 40 is substantially that of a right prism whose two bases represent rectangle trapeziums, each rib 46 is substantially in the form of of a right triangle which is connected to the right wall 45 so that its hypotenuse constitutes a useful part of the retaining surface 41. According to the illustrated example, the tile 30, in addition to being able to be retained its rear face 32 relative to the retaining circumference in the X direction, is adapted to be wedged relative to the retaining edge in the direction Y. To do this, as shown in Figure 16A, the rear face 32 of the tile 30 comprises a pair of projecting surfaces 71,73 protruding which are spaced in the Y direction when the tile 30 is mounted on the frame, while the latter comprises a pair of respective locking members 80,90 able to cooperate with each of the two positioning surfaces 71,73 of the pair of positioning surfaces bearing against the corresponding positioning surface. According to the example shown in particular in Figures 5, 14 and 17, a protrusion 90 T-shaped protrudes from each of the two wings 20a, 20b of the flange 20 in the Z direction and forward of the frame 10 so as to define one of the two wedging members of the pair of wedging members 80, 90.

Opposite each of the two protuberances 90, an elastic tongue 80 is formed from each of the second length and width of the contour of the frame 14 so that the other wedging member 80 of the pair of wedging members is an elastic wedging member having a bearing portion which is defined by the resilient tongue and which is configured to resiliently bias against one of the locating surfaces 71 of the pair of locating surfaces. It will thus be understood that the frame 14 comprises two pairs of wedging members which each consist of a protuberance 80 and a tongue facing it and which are respectively spaced along the X and Y directions. According to the illustrated example, only the pair of spacing members spaced in the Y direction is used. The other pair, which is spaced in the X direction, although present, is not used.

It is understood that the wedging member of the pair of wedging members defined by the protuberance 90 is a reference wedging member, whose cooperation with the corresponding positioning surface 73 of the pair of positioning surfaces defines a position of POY reference of the facing tile 30 relative to the retaining circumference in the Y direction (see Fig. 17).

As illustrated in FIG. 16A, the rear face 32 of the tile further comprises two walls 70 which protrude substantially perpendicularly with respect to the latter (in the Z direction when the tile 30 is mounted on the frame), which are spaced according to a perpendicular direction to the spacing direction of the projecting elements 40 previously described (the two walls are spaced in the direction Y when the tile 30 is mounted on the frame), and each having a useful face each defining one of the two positioning surfaces 71.73 of the pair of positioning surfaces. In FIG. 16B, there is shown a second variant of a coating tile 30 which has dimensions substantially larger than those of a cell 12, approximately four times the width b and once the length a. The tile 30 according to this second variant is capable of being retained in the X direction with respect to two retaining edges p1 which are provided according to the first configuration and which are respectively defined by first and second frames 14, and is able to be wedged in the direction Y relative to a retaining edge p2 which is provided according to the second configuration so that the latter is defined by the extreme edges of the set of frames 14 constituted by the four frames 14 intended to be covered by the tile when the latter is mounted on the chassis 10.

The tile 30 according to the second variant is thus very similar to that according to the first variant previously described, differing substantially from the latter only in its dimensions and in that it comprises eight salient elements 40 instead of four, four d between them being intended to form two pairs of retaining surfaces to retain the tile 30 by its rear face with respect to a first of the two frames 14, while the last four projections are intended to form two pairs of retaining surfaces for retaining the tile by its rear face with respect to the second of the two frames 14. The tile 30 according to the second variant comprises, on the other hand, two walls 70 just as the tile 30 according to the first variant. It is thus understood that according to the second variant of the tile 30, the first positioning surface 71 of the pair of positioning surfaces of the latter is able to cooperate with a wedging member 80 belonging to a first end edge of a frame 14, while the second positioning surface 73 is adapted to cooperate with a wedging member 90 belonging to another extremal edge which is defined by another frame 14 and which is spaced in the direction Y relative to the first end edge. The assembly of the coating structure 1 according to the present invention will now be described.

Firstly, the connecting elements 120 are inserted in the notches 18 required of a first frame 10. Then this first frame 10 is fixed on the wall 2, either directly on the latter or on an additional frame, such as the rails 3 previously described, which frame is in turn fixed on the wall 2.

After that, if necessary, the second frame 10 is prepared by inserting in the notches 18 required of the latter 10 connecting elements 120 which will be intended to fix it with a third frame 10. Then, the second frame 10 is coupled with the first frame 10 so that the notches 18 of the latter engage the link elements 120 which protrude from the notches 18 of the first frame 10, which allows to fix together the first and second frame (see Figure 11). Then the second frame 10 is fixed to the wall 2 in the same manner as that previously described for the first frame 10.

These steps are repeated until all the frames 10 are fixed together in pairs on the wall. After that, a facing tile 30 is presented facing the frame (s) 14 on which it is desired to mount the tile 30 so that the retaining surfaces 41, 43 of its pairs of retainers are spaced apart in planes parallel to the X direction of the chassis, and in such a way that a positioning surface 73 of the pair of positioning surfaces 71,73 bears against the reference timing member 90. tilts the tile 30 so that a retaining surface 41 of each of the retaining surface pairs bears against the elastic contact portion 56 of the corresponding resilient retaining member 50, while the other surface of retainer 43 of each of the retaining surface pairs remains at a distance from the corresponding reference retaining member 60. Pressure is exerted on the tile 30 so that the retaining surfaces 41 amplify the elastic biasing they exert on the elastic contact portion 56 of the corresponding retaining members 50. The tile 30 is pivoted to straighten it while maintaining the pressure on the latter so that the other retaining surfaces 43 cooperate with the other retaining members 60. The tile is released which under the effect of the elements elastic restraint 50 increases the frictional force exerted between the previously described elements. In the example illustrated, it was described fixing the frame 10 on a wall by means of screws 100, so that it could be provided without departing from the scope of the present invention, that the frame 10 comprises other means fixing, for example by riveting, welding, gluing, clipping, or other, provided only that these means are adapted to allow the attachment of the frame 10 on the wall. According to the illustrated example, the outline of the frame 14 is of rectangular shape and has two lengths a in the direction X and two widths b in the direction Y, so that one could predict, without departing from the scope of the present invention , A frame presenting a completely different arbitrary form. According to the illustrated example, the elastic blade of the elastic contact portion of the resilient retaining member comprises two corrugations, so that it could be provided without departing from the scope of the present invention, an elastic blade having one or more than two waves. For example, to obtain a resilient blade having a single corrugation, it would be sufficient for example to replace the central segment 59 described above by a central segment comprising only an arcuate portion 59b. Similarly, to obtain an elastic blade having three corrugations, it would be sufficient for example to replace the central segment 59 described above by a central segment comprising three arcuate portions 59b which would be interconnected by two substantially V-shaped portions 59a. Moreover, the structure of the elastic blade as it has been described must not be considered as limiting, and it would be possible, without departing from the scope of the present invention, to provide an elastic blade having any other structure, provided only that the blade is deformable and configured to be biased elastically under the effect of a constraint exerted on it. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, it would be possible to provide an elastic blade which would be connected to the base plate 52 only at one point, or else an elastic blade which would have concavities and convexities inverted with those previously described.

In addition, it has been described the use of an elastic blade to make the elastic contact portion of the resilient retaining member, so that one could provide, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a part elastic contact member 56 having a completely different structure, provided only that it is deformable and configured to be resiliently biased under the effect of a stress exerted on it. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a coil spring, a resilient material such as rubber, or the like could be used. In addition, it has previously been described an elastic retaining member 50 which is an insert on the frame adapted to be fixed thereto by engagement of a fixing lug 54 with a through hole 24, so that one could provide, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a resilient retaining member which would be formed integrally with the frame, or conversely, which would be a part to be fixed to the frame by any means other than the cooperation of a fixing lug with a through hole, for example by riveting, screwing, gluing, clipping, welding, or other.

Claims (17)

REVENDICATIONS1. A coating structure (1) comprising: at least one frame (10) having at least one cell (12) bordered by a frame (14) so as to define at least one retaining circumference (p1, p2); at least one coating tile (30) which is removable for at least the retaining circumference (p1, p2) and which is adapted to be retained by its rear face (32) at least in relation to the retaining circumference (pl, p2) in at least a first direction (X), in which, for retaining the tile (30) in the first direction (X), a first of the elements consisting of the rear face (32) of the tile and the retaining circumference (pl, p2) has at least one pair of projecting retaining surfaces (41, 43) which are spaced in the first direction (X), while the second of said elements comprises at least one pair of retainer (50, 60) respectively adapted to frictionally engage each of the two retaining surfaces (41, 43) of the pair of retaining surfaces at two opposite edges of the retaining periphery, characterized in that the frame ( 10) is adapted to be fixed to a wall, and in that at least one of the re holding (50) of the pair of retaining members (50, 60) is an elastic retaining member having an elastic contact portion (56) which is configured to cooperate with one of the retaining surfaces (41) of the pair of retaining surfaces (41,43) being resiliently biased against said retaining surface (41). 2. Structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining circumference (pl) is defined by the frame (14). 25 3. Structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame (10) has several cells (12) each bordered by a frame (14), and in that the extreme edges of the plurality of frames (14) thus formed define the perimeter of restraint (p2). 4. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the elastic contact portion (56) comprises an elastic blade which has two ends (57) integral with the resilient retaining member (50). 5. Structure according to claim 4, characterized in that the elastic blade has at least one corrugation (59b). 6. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one of the retaining members (50) of the pair of retaining members (50, 60) is an insert on the second element . 7. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the other retaining member (60) of the pair of retaining members (50, 60) is a reference retaining member, whose cooperation with the other retaining surface (43) of the pair of retaining surfaces (41,43) defines a reference position (PDX) of the tile (30) with respect to the retaining circumference (pl, p2) according to the first direction (X). 8. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first element is the rear face (32) of the tile while the second element is the perimeter retaining (pl, p2). 9. Structure according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one of the retaining members (60) of the pair of retaining members (50,60) is defined by one of said two opposite edges of the retaining circumference ( pl, p2). 10. Structure according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that at least one retaining surface (41,43) of the pair of retaining surfaces is formed integrally with the rear face (32) of the tile. 20 11. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least one retaining surface (41) of the pair of retaining surfaces (41,43) is ribbed. 12. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that at least one retaining surface (41) of the pair of retaining surfaces 25 (41,43) is inclined relative to the perpendicular (Z ) to the rear face (32) of the tile (30) when the latter is mounted on the retaining circumference. 13. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the tile (30) is adapted to be wedged relative to the retaining portion in a second direction (Y) which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction 30 (X). 14. Structure according to claim 13, characterized in that to wedge the tile (30) in the second direction (Y), one of said first and second elements constituted by the rear face (32) of the tile (30) and the retaining circumference (pl, p2) has at least one pair of projecting surfaces (71,73) projecting which are spaced in the second direction (Y), while the other element has at least one pair of wedge (80,90) respectively adapted to cooperate with each of the two positioning surfaces (71,73) of the pair of positioning surfaces by bearing against it at two other opposite edges of the retaining periphery (p, p2 ). 15. Structure according to claim 14, characterized in that at least one of the wedging members (80) of the pair of wedging members (80,90) is an elastic wedging member having a bearing portion configured to resiliently biased against one of the positioning surfaces (71) of the pair of positioning surfaces (71, 73). 16. Structure according to claim 15, characterized in that the other wedge member (90) of the pair of wedging members (80,90) is a reference wedging member, whose cooperation with the other surface positioning method (73) of the pair of positioning surfaces (71,73) defines a reference position (POY) of the tile (30) relative to the retaining circumference in the second direction (Y). 17. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that it comprises at least in one direction of the wall a plurality of frames (10) capable of being fixed together in pairs.