FR2988110A1 - Locking system for slab utilized for forming ceiling or partition, has recall units including ferromagnetic part, and elastic unit that positions recall units in blocking position for maintaining finger in unlocked position - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a body for fixing to a slab. A movable locking finger (2) is arranged with regard to the body. An elastic unit (3) is utilized for driving the finger in a locked position. A set of elastic recall units (4-6) of the finger is arranged in an unlocked position. The recall units include a ferromagnetic part that is intended to be moved under the action of a magnetic field against the action of the elastic unit. Another elastic unit (7) positions the recall units in a blocking position for maintaining the finger in an unlocked position. An independent claim is also included for a slab.

Description

The technical sector of the present invention is that of fastening systems slabs such as those used for ceilings or to form partitions. The patent application FR2940988 teaches ceiling tiles equipped with fastening means which are unlocked by means of a magnet producing a magnetic field. Such slabs can also be used to form vertical or inclined partitions. However, it appears a problem for vertical slabs for which it is necessary to unlock all the fastening means at the same time. Indeed if one unlocks the fixing means, there is a high probability that the fastening means which is no longer subject to the action of the magnetic field is locked again to the frame of the slab reception. The same problem would arise in the case of slabs equipped with a large number of mounting boxes such as the housings described in the patent application FR2940988. A sufficiently wide unlocking device producing a magnetic field across the slab surface would unlock all the lock boxes at the same time and thus remove the slab. Such an extended device would, however, have too much weight in the case of large slabs and would be impractical or unusable use. It is common, for example, to use vertical slabs having a length of several meters. The object of the present invention is to overcome one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a new slab locking system. The invention therefore relates to a slab locking system comprising a fastening body to the slab, a locking finger movable relative to the body, a first elastic member for driving the finger in at least one locked position and a finger restoring element in at least one unlocked position, this restoring element comprising a ferromagnetic part intended to be moved under the action of a magnetic field against the action of the first elastic member, characterized in that it comprises a second elastic member tending to be positioned in a locking position of the return member holding the finger in said unlocked position.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the body defines at least one access to the second elastic member when it is disposed in the locking position of the return element holding the finger in said unlocked position.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said access to the second elastic member is arranged so as to act on the second elastic member to return it to a position not blocking the return member.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said access to the second elastic member is in the form of at least one rear lateral clearance made in an upper wall of the body, the finger in the locked position being projecting towards the front of the body.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the body comprises at least one fixing fin intended to come against a border delimiting a housing made on the side of the non-visible face of the plate for receiving the return element.

The body of the locking system then does not include a bottom and the return element can then be maintained, when mounted on a slab, between the body and the lugs of the finger by pinching under the action of the first elastic member when the finger is in the locked position.

The restoring element can also be maintained, when mounted on a slab, by the branches of the second elastic member which exert an action on the slices of the ferromagnetic plates of the biasing element. According to another characteristic of the invention, the return element is arranged so that the second elastic member does not block the return element when the finger is in an intermediate position of engagement of the slab in its reception frame.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the second elastic member does not block the return element when the finger is flush with an outer rim of the body delimiting an exit opening of the finger.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the biasing element pivots relative to the body to drive the finger in said unlocked position. According to another characteristic of the invention, said ferromagnetic piece is in the form of at least one wafer, the return element comprising at least one drive arm of the finger extending said wafer, the second elastic member comprising at least one wafer a branch held against the edge of said wafer when the second elastic member does not block the biasing member, said leg coming resiliently opposite a face of the wafer to block the return member. According to another characteristic of the invention, the return element comprises two ferromagnetic plates each fixed to a profiled portion forming two elbows of the return element, the return element comprising two drive arms of the finger, these arms. each being fixed to one of the elbows, the second elastic member comprising two branches held between the plates and against their edge when the second elastic member does not block the return element, these branches each coming elastically vis-à-vis a face of one of the platelets to block the return member. According to another characteristic of the invention, the second elastic member comprises a rod held in a housing of the body, this rod being extended on either side by portions extending to the return member. These portions extending up to the return member are for example constituted by the branches cooperating with the ferromagnetic plates of the return member.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the second elastic member is disposed in a U-shaped housing, the legs of the U receiving said portions extending to the return member, the legs of the U ending in clearances allowing spacing one of the other of these portions. Another object of the invention relates to a slab intended to be held in a frame and comprising at least one locking system according to the invention. A slab generally comprises a plurality of locking systems of which one or more of these locking systems are locking systems according to the invention. According to another characteristic of the invention, the slab comprises a presentation plate at least partly covering the frame, this plate protruding with respect to at least one guide surface of the slab for its positioning in the frame. The guiding surface may include an aperture through which the finger is in the locked position. This guide surface may be provided by an outer surface of the body of the fastening system. The locking finger in the locked position is in particular salient with respect to the body and comes against one of the rails. Another object of the invention relates to a ceiling formed by slabs according to the invention, the slabs being held in one or more frames. Another object of the invention relates to a vertical or inclined partition, formed by slabs according to the invention, the slabs being held in one or more frames. A very first advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the locking systems can be unlocked one after the other. Another advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the locking system can be easily rebooted. Other features, advantages and details of the invention will be better understood on reading the additional description which will follow of embodiments given by way of example in relation to drawings in which: FIGS. 1 and 2 each represent a perspective view of a slab; - Figures 3 and 4 each show a front view of a support structure equipped with rails; - Figure 5 shows a sectional view of a supporting structure for a ceiling or a partition; - Figure 6 shows a sectional view of a partition or a ceiling comprising the carrier structure of Figure 5; - Figure 7 shows a sectional view of a locking system in the locked position; - Figure 8 shows a sectional view of a locking system in the insertion position of the slab; - Figure 9 shows a sectional view of a locking system locked in an unlocked position. Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a locking system in the locked position, occupying a housing provided in the slab; - Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a locking system in the unlocked position, occupying a housing provided in the slab; Figure 12 shows the return element alone corresponding to Figure 11; FIG. 13 represents a partial perspective view of a slab disposed against a rail of which a locking system is locked in the unlocked position; FIG. 14 represents the single rail corresponding to FIG. 13; FIG. 15 represents an example of slab according to the invention comprising locking systems; Fig. 16 is a rear view of a locking system shown in Fig. 15; FIG. 17 represents a view from the front of a locking system represented in FIG. 15; - Figures 18 and 19 each show a sectional view of the body comprising a receiving housing of the second elastic member. The invention will now be described in more detail. FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspective views of slabs 1a and 1b equipped with locking systems 21. The locking systems 21 for these slabs 1a and 1b are in the form of housings 21 fixed on the non-visible face 22 of the slab la or lb. These housings 21 are for example fixed by gluing. Each lock housing 21 comprises a finger 2 intended to come against a fixing rail. The rail comprises for example a circular orifice of the same diameter as the finger or a support edge, the rail then being held between the plate 17 and the finger 2. The locking boxes 21 comprise on their upper face 8, a single opening 19 or a pair of openings 23. These openings 19 or 23 allow access to a locking element in the unlocked position which will be described in more detail later. Rigid tabs will for example be introduced into the openings 23 to manipulate this locking element. The handling tabs can be introduced into the single opening 19 disposed at the rear of the housing 21.

In FIG. 1, the housings are arranged at a determined distance from the edge of the plate 17. The housings 21 then comprise a guiding surface formed by their front face 18 in which the opening is made for the output of the locking finger 2 . The front faces 18 of the locking housings 21 then allow guidance during the establishment of the slab in its frame. In Figure 2, the plate 17 is guided bearing against a side edge 27, when it is placed in its receiving frame. Several side edges 27 may be used for this guidance. The housings are arranged at the edge of the plate 17. As described in the patent application FR-2940988, a slab may also comprise lateral guiding flanges glued on the non-visible face 22 of the plate 17. Such a slab may also comprise an insulating panel disposed against the non-visible face 22 and whose edge is covered by these lateral flanges. Figures 3 and 4 each show a front view of a supporting structure equipped with rails 16. Such structures can be used to form a ceiling or a vertical partition or inclined. Figure 3 comprises rails 16 parallel to each other 5 forming frames 12. Each of the frames 12 can receive one or more slabs. The rails 16 for a ceiling are arranged in the same horizontal plane. The rails 16 for a partition may be arranged horizontally or vertically in the same vertical or inclined plane. Figure 4 shows rails 16 joined together by cross members 31 to form frames 14. The cross members are perpendicular to the rails 16 which are parallel to each other. Each of the frames 14 can receive one or more slabs. As previously described in FIG. 3, these rails 16 may be arranged in a horizontal, vertical or inclined plane. Figure 5 shows a sectional view of a supporting structure for a ceiling or a partition. A central rail 33 forms two frames 15 on either side of this rail 33. The two frames 15 are further formed by the rails 32 to the right and left of the central rail 33. These rails 32 and 33 may or may not be connected to sleepers as described above in relation to FIGS. 3 and 4. Each rail 32 or 33 comprises an element 34 or 35 for attachment to an existing ceiling or to an existing partition. A rail 32 or 33 comprises a lower portion 37 or 38 intended to come against a non-visible face of the slab. Each rail 32 or 33 comprises one or more flanges 36 against which a locking pin bears in its locked position. As shown in Figure 6, these rails are held between the locking fingers 2 and the plate 17 of a slab. Each plate 17 of presentation partially covers the underside of the rails and protrudes from the guide surfaces 18 of the slab for its positioning against the rails. The cut is made in the slab in a plane comprising two locking systems of each of the two slabs. In the slab on the left, the right locking system is unlocked and held in the unlocked position by means of an elastic member 7 tending to be positioned in a locking position of the return element, referenced 4, 5 and 6, which holds the finger 2 in its unlocked position. The other locking systems are held in the locked position each under the action of an elastic member 3. This elastic member 3 pushes the finger 2 in its protruding position. Figures 7, 8 and 9 illustrate three positions of the same locking system according to the invention. The locking system comprising a fixing body to the slab and a locking finger 2 movable relative to the body. The body 15 can be made in one or more parts. In Figures 7 to 9, the body comprises a rear part 40 to which is fixed the elastic member 3 pushing the finger 2 to its locked position. This first elastic member 3 is for example a metal spring. This rear part 40 of the body is also connected to the elastic member 7 for locking the return element 6 holding the finger in the unlocked position. This second elastic member 7 is for example made in the form of a metal rod held in the body and extended by metal branches cooperating with the return member. The body comprises a front piece 41 in which the finger 2 slides back and forth. The front piece 41 is for example fixed by clips to the rear piece 40 to form the body. This front piece 41 comprises a front face 18 for guiding the slab when it is placed in its receiving frame. This front face 18 also defines an opening through which the fixing finger 2 exits. The finger 2 comprises lugs 42 arranged laterally on the longitudinal portion of the finger 2. This longitudinal portion may be of circular or square section. The lugs 42 provide a guide in translation in a housing 43 of the body. These lugs 42 also allow a drive by the arms 4 of the biasing element. The lugs 42 may also serve as support for the first elastic member 3.

This first elastic member 3 may also bear on the back of the finger or in a rear housing of the finger. The finger 2, in the locked position, comprises a projecting end relative to the body. This projecting end is beveled to allow the automatic removal of the finger during the establishment of the slab in its frame. FIG. 7 thus illustrates a position of the locked finger bearing against a rail, this position also corresponding to the position of the finger protruding from the body before the slab is disposed in its frame. The biasing member is disposed at least partially in the body. The return element comprises a ferromagnetic part 6 intended to be moved under the action of a magnetic field against the action of the first elastic member 3. When a magnetic field attracts the portion 6, the return element switches around its elbow 5, which has the effect of moving the arm 4, as shown in Figure 9. The biasing member thus rotates relative to the body to drive the finger 2 in its unlocked position.

The second elastic member 7 tends to be positioned in the locking position of the return member shown in Figure 9 where the finger 2 is held in its unlocked position. Figure 8 is a representation of an intermediate position 30 engagement of the slab in its receiving frame. In this intermediate position, as shown in Figure 7, the second elastic member 7 does not block the return member. It can be seen that the second elastic member 7 covers the edge of the ferromagnetic part 6. In Figure 8, it is the front face 18 of the locking system which serves for guiding the slab when it is installed in a receiving frame. Thus the finger 2 is flush with the outer face 18 of the body delimiting in particular the exit opening of the finger 2. Figures 10 and 11 each show a perspective view of the rear of a locking system 5 occupying a housing 11 provided in the slab. Section A-A corresponds to FIGS. 7 and 9 previously described. Figure 10 shows the finger 2 in the locked position, the finger being projecting relative to the body of the locking system. Figure 11 shows the same locking system in an unlocked position where the finger is tucked into the body of the locking system. The lugs 42 pulled backward are notably apparent in the unlocked position. The fastening body to the slab comprises two fins 9 for fastening to the plate 17 of the slab 1. These fins 9 come against the flanges 10. The support flanges of the fins may correspond to the flange 13 delimiting the housing 11 made in plate 17 of the slab to receive the biasing member. This housing 11 allows a support of the return element in particular in the unlocked position as shown in Figure 11. The return element can be held by pinching between the lugs 42 and the body under the action of the first member 25 resilient 3 when the finger is in the locked position, as shown in Figure 10. The return element held in the body of the locking system facilitates the installation of the locking system vis-à-vis the housing 11. 30 The return element comprises two ferromagnetic plates 6 fixed to two profiled portions each forming a bend 5 of the return element. Such a return element is shown in FIG. 12 in particular. The ferromagnetic plates 6 may be extended at their end by a ferromagnetic end plate 45. A magnet producing a magnetic field will thus exert a force on the three plates. 6 and 45. As shown in FIG. 12, the return element comprises two arms 4 for driving the finger, these arms being each fixed to a bend 5. As shown in FIG. 10, the second elastic member comprises two branches 7 which are held between the plates 6 and against their edge when the second elastic member does not block the return element. As shown in FIG. 11, the branches 7 of the second elastic member each extend elastically opposite a face of one of the plates 6 to block the return element. The return member is then in a position where the finger is in the unlocked position. Once the locking system is locked in the unlocked position, as shown in FIG. 11, the magnetic field can be removed or moved in front of another locking system to lock it, in turn, in the unlocked position. When the locking systems of a slab are in the unlocked position, the slab can be removed from its receiving frame, the rear face 22 of the slab then being accessible. The body of the locking system comprises an access 44 to the second elastic member 7. This second elastic member can be accessed at least when it is arranged in the locking position of the return member where it holds the finger 2 in its unlocked position. It is possible to act on the second elastic member 7 and in particular on the branches 7, to bring this second elastic member into a position that does not block the return member. For example, it is possible to act manually or with the aid of a tool such as a clamp. Lateral and rear clearances are provided in the upper wall 8 of the body. It is also possible to provide a reduced access comprising two orifices 23 or a single orifice 19 through which lugs 35 are introduced to push the branches 7. Such orifices 19 or 23 have been shown in particular in FIGS. 1 and 2. locking, it can also provide to replace all locking systems by locking systems ready to be inserted with the slab in its receiving frame. Figure 13 shows a partial perspective view of a slab disposed against a rail 24 having an inverted L-shaped profile. The locking system is in the unlocked position. The branches 7 are arranged with their end against the ferromagnetic plates 6 of the biasing element, thus keeping the finger in position 10 unlocked. The second elastic member comprises a rod 20, shown in broken lines, which is held in a housing of the body, this rod 20 being extended on either side by the branches 7 which tend to move away from one of the other. The upper face 8 of the body is disposed against a portion of the rail 24 of attachment. As shown in FIG. 14, provision is then made for a housing made in the rail 24 for receiving the finger in the locked position. The two fins 9 are supported one on a front flange 10 and the other on a front and side flange 10. Thus a flange disposed on the periphery of the plate 17 allows attachment of the vanes of the locking system. FIG. 15 represents an example of slab 1c comprising four locking systems 21. These locking systems 21 are arranged facing housings 11 made on the non-visible face 22 of plate 17 of slab 1c. The locking systems are attached to rails 28 of the slab 1c. These rails 28 are fixed to the plate 17 of the slab 1c, for example, by gluing, screwing or gluing combined with a screwing. The rails 28 allow in particular guidance during the insertion of the slab lc in its frame. The locking systems 21 of FIG. 15 are shown in more detail in FIGS. 16 and 17. The rail 28 comprises a positioning wall 46 during insertion of the slab into its frame. This wall 46 comprises holes 26 for receiving fixing screws of the locking system 21 and an opening through which the finger 2 projects. This rail 28 then allows the fixing of the locking system to the slab. This rail 28 also allows a stiffening of the slab lc. The locking system 21 includes in particular receiving holes 30 for the fixing screws to the rail 28, these holes 30 being arranged in the vanes 9 of the locking system. Thus the fins may be fixed to the guide rail 28. The portion 46 of the rail 28 is extended by a portion disposed perpendicular to the latter and coming against the non-visible face 22 of the plate 17. The end 48 of this portion disposed against the plate 17 is provided to come edge to edge with a rail of an adjacent slab. A flange 47 set back from this end 48 is disposed perpendicularly to the non-visible face 22 of the plate 17 to fit into a housing provided in the receiving frame of the slab. At the rear of the body 40 of the locking system, an opening 29 extends over an upper portion and a rear portion of the body 40 of the locking system.

This opening 29 thus allows, using a tip or the end of a flat screwdriver, to pull the rod 20 upwards. A clearance in height is provided in the housing 50 for the rod 20. This rod 20 is extended downwards by the branches 7 to form the second elastic member.

When the rod 20 is raised, the branches 7 go up in vertical passages 39 made in the body 40 of the locking system and thus force the branches 7 to move towards one another. Figure 18 shows the second elastic member with its branches 7 spaced apart from each other. Figure 19 shows the second elastic member with its branches 7 close to each other. The vertical passages 39 open downward on lateral recesses 49. These lateral recesses 49 allow the branches 7 to move away from each other. The housing 50 for the rod 20 of the second elastic member is made of U, the opening 29 allowing access to the rod 20 disposed in its housing 50. When the rod 20 is raised in the top of its housing 50, the branches 7 are brought closer to each other under the action of the passages 39 made in the body 40 of the locking system. The vertical passages 39 thus bring the branches 7 to a vertical position. Of course this notion of vertical position corresponds to a slab whose cover plate 17 is positioned horizontally. The operations explained are of course valid for slabs arranged horizontally, vertically or inclined. It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention allows other embodiments. Therefore, the present embodiments should be considered as illustrating the invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims (15)

REVENDICATIONS1. Locking system (21) for slab (la, lb) comprising a body (40, 41) for fastening to the slab, a locking finger (2) movable relative to the body (40, 41), a first elastic member ( 3) for driving the finger (2) in at least one locked position and a return member (4, 5, 6) of the finger in at least one unlocked position, said restoring element comprising a ferromagnetic piece (6) for to be moved under the action of a magnetic field against the action of the first elastic member (3), characterized in that it comprises a second elastic member (7) tending to be positioned in a locking position of the return member (4, 5, 6) holding the finger (2) in said unlocked position. 2. locking system (21) according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (40, 41) defines at least one access (23, 44) to the second elastic member (7) when disposed in the position of locking the return member (4, 5, 6) holding the finger (2) in said unlocked position. 3. locking system (21) according to claim 2, characterized in that said access (23, 44) to the second elastic member (7) is arranged to allow to act on the second elastic member (7) for the return to a position that does not block the biasing member (4, 5, 6). 4. Locking system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said access to the second elastic member (7) is in the form of at least one rear lateral clearance (44) formed in an upper wall (8). the body (40, 41), the finger (2) in the locked position projecting forwardly of the body (40, 41). 5. locking system (21) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (40, 41) comprises at least one fin (9) for fixing 35 to come against a border (10) delimiting at least in part a housing (11) made on the side of the non-visible face (22) of the plate (17) for receiving the return element (4, 5, 6) .6. Locking system (21) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the return element (4, 5, 6) is arranged in such a way that the second elastic member (7) does not block the element when the finger (2) is in an intermediate engagement position of the slab (1a, 1b) in its receiving frame (12, 14). 7. Locking system (21) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second elastic member (7) does not block the return element when the finger (2) is flush with a flange (18). ) external body (40, 41) defining an outlet opening of the finger (2). Locking system (21) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the return element (4, 5, 6) pivots with respect to the body (40, 41) to drive the finger (2). in said unlocked position. 9. locking system (21) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said ferromagnetic part is in the form of at least one plate (6), the return element comprising at least one arm ( 4) driving the finger (2) extending said wafer (6), the second elastic member comprising at least one leg (7) held against the edge of said wafer (6) when the second elastic member does not block the return element, said arm (7) coming resiliently opposite a face of the plate (6) to block the return element. 10. locking system (21) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the return element comprises two plates (6) ferromagnetic each fixed to a profiled portion forming two elbows (5) of the return element, the return element comprising two arms (4) for driving the finger (2), these arms (4) being each fixed to one of the bends (5), the second elastic member comprising two branches (7); ) held between the plates (6) and against their edge when the second elastic member does not block the return element (4, 5, 6), these branches (7) coming each elastically vis-à-vis a face one of the plates (6) for locking the return element (4, 5, 6). 11. Locking system (21) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second elastic member comprises a rod (20) held in a housing of the body (40, 41), the rod (20) being extended by on both sides by portions (7) extending to the return member. 12. Locking system (21) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second elastic member is disposed in a housing (50, 39) in U, the legs of the U receiving said portions (7) extending to the return member, the legs of the U ending in clearances (49) allowing a spacing of one of the other of these portions (7). 13. Slab (1a, 1b) intended to be held in a frame (12, 14) and comprising at least one locking system (21) according to one of claims 1 to 12. 14. Slab (la, lb) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a plate (17) presentation at least partially covering the frame (12, 14), this plate protruding from at least one guide surface (18) of the slab (la, lb) for its positioning in the frame (12, 14). 15. Ceiling or partition formed by slabs (la, lb) according to claim 13 or 14, the slabs (la, lb) being held in one or more frames (12, 14) .30