FR3079255A1 - DEVICE FOR ASSEMBLING AN OCCULTANT PRODUCT AND A GRILLED STRUCTURE - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an assembly device (100) for an occulting product (BV) having a plurality of interstices (O) on a screen structure (SG), said device (100) comprising a main body (101) presenting an attachment head (10) configured to attach said device (100) to said grid structure (SG); and foldable connecting arms (20) extending substantially in the same direction on either side of said head (10) and configured to be introduced into one of the interstices (O) of the occulting product ( BV) then folded against said main body (101) to integrally assemble said device (100) to said occulting product (BV), wherein said fixing head (10) has a housing (11) comprising at least one receiving zone (12, 13) adapted to receive a portion of said mesh structure (SG) and a passage opening (14) positioned between the two arms (20) and opening into said housing (11) to allow the passage of said structural portion mesh (SG) in said at least one receiving zone (12, 13).

Description

DEVICE FOR ASSEMBLING A BLOCKING PRODUCT

AND A MESH STRUCTURE

Technical field and prior art

The present invention relates to the field of blackout products (or blackout products), and more specifically the field of the installation of blackout products for the installation of fences, screens and / or trellises.

The present invention relates to a simple device for manufacturing and use allowing an integral assembly of a blackout product on a screen structure.

One of the objects of the present invention aims more particularly to design a universal assembly device which adapts to all types of blackout products and allows the assembly of such a product on any mesh structure, all without tools.

By blackout product (or blackout product) within the meaning of the present invention means throughout the following description a screen product and having the function of obscuring the view between two areas in particular to serve as visual separation. Generally, such a product is in the form of rolls, nets, rigid panels or even sheets of woven, braided or sewn materials.

A blackout product has a certain degree of blackout: it can be completely opaque or be slightly openwork (for example by offering a more or less openwork mesh).

Such blackout products can be made of a natural or synthetic material, and can take several forms such as for example:

- a berry (for example in heather);

- a canisse (for example in wicker);

- an artificial hedge (for example PVC); or

- a synthetic screen in the form of a roll or rigid slats.

Such blackout products are used in the field of gardening, making it possible in particular to draw up a visual separation with two neighboring lots or between two spaces on the same lot. Other applications can also be envisaged such as for example the production of screens for a balcony or a terrace.

By grid structure within the meaning of the present invention is meant throughout the following description a structure delimiting an area such as a garden, a balcony or a terrace comprising a set of posts supporting a grid of wire such as by example a sheet of metal mesh or a sheet of plastic material such as for example an extruded plastic sheet with a reticular structure.

A screened structure makes it possible to delimit the space of a garden: such a structure includes tension wires stretched between posts or welded screened panels.

On the other hand, the mesh structures do not allow the demarcated area to be visually isolated from the outside environment.

Therefore, it is often recommended, to ensure the privacy of users in the demarcated area (the garden), to plant hedges of shrubs along these structures.

Alternatively and / or in addition, it is also possible to increase visual isolation and preserve the privacy of users to install blackout products directly on these mesh structures.

Numerous assembly techniques are known in the prior art for fixing a blackout product on a screen structure.

In the case of fixing a synthetic screen in roll form, the installer can fix the screen on the tension wires of the screen, for example directly on the rigid screen panels or on the screen in rolls.

To fix a screen, the installer must unroll two or three meters from the screen and place them against the fence at the desired height.

Document FR 2689579 A1 discloses a fixing system for assembling the screening on the screen structure, such a system comprising a rigid plate having two openings for the passage of a semi-rigid wire arranged in a U shape.

Once the two branches of the U have passed through each of the two holes, the installer passes the wire behind one of the wires of the mesh structure or one of the posts (often by physically passing behind the structure, generally passing through the neighbor), then retrieve the two ends of the wire in order to twist them together to hold the plate against the privacy screen.

Alternatively, a system of plastic fixing clips can be hung to suspend the screening, which must be fixed approximately every 50 cm to the screening.

To fix such a clip, the installer must position it on each side of the screen to sandwich the mesh or the tension wire when clipping.

The installer must then repeat the operation to fix the lower part of the screen with the screen structure as well as on the sides.

Such a fixing clip is for example marketed under the brand FIXATEX® by the company NORTENE.

Equivalent fixing clips are also known, such as those described in document FR 3029577 A1 or also in document FR 2648194 A1.

In the case of fixing a canisse or a strip, the system of fixing clips proposed above is not compatible.

Metal links are then provided which must be fixed using a specific tool, called an automatic linker.

These links sized to pass through the canisse or the flange have hooking rings at their ends.

The installation of such a link is done in the following way: the installer, after having unrolled the roll of canisse or brande, must press it against the grid.

The installer then grabs a link and passes it through the screen at the height of a tension wire or a horizontal wire of the screen structure. The link then goes around the tension wire of the mesh and encloses the assembly (generally, the installer must pass behind the mesh structure).

The latter then passes the two rings of the link in the hook of the linker then activates the linker to rotate the link and thus twist it over its entire length to assemble the canisse or the strip against the mesh structure.

He must then cut the link to the cutting pliers flush, then repeat the operation over the entire length of the mesh structure.

Such links are very discreet after installation. However, handling with the automatic linker is complex and tedious. They also require specific tools.

It should also be noted that these products do not adapt to blackout mesh products due to the absence of peaks.

The Applicant therefore observes that there are many fixing accessories for fixing a blackout product on a screen structure; on the other hand, none of the accessories is compatible with all the products on the market.

In addition, the fixing systems known up to now are generally complex to use and often require suitable tools.

The Applicant further submits that all the solutions proposed so far require that, during installation, the installer position himself at one time or another behind the screen structure, which can be inconvenient, for example if the installer is not on good terms with his neighbor or if the mesh structure is positioned against a wall.

Finally, it should be noted that the fixing systems proposed so far do not all withstand the weather. In addition, in the event of a blackout product change, removal is complex and time-consuming.

For at least these reasons, the Applicant considers that the solutions proposed so far in the prior art are not fully satisfactory.

Subject and summary of the present invention

The present invention aims to improve the situation described above.

The present invention aims more particularly to remedy the various drawbacks mentioned above by proposing a device for assembling a blackout product with a screen structure, which is universal, easy to use and simple to manufacture, avoids passing behind the mesh structure and requires no specific tools.

The object of the present invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a device for assembling a blackout product having a plurality of gaps on a screen structure.

According to the present invention, the assembly device comprises a main body, preferably in one piece, having:

- a fixing head configured to fix the device on the screen structure, and foldable assembly arms.

Advantageously, the assembly arms extend substantially in the same direction on either side of the head and are configured to be introduced each into one of the interstices of the blackout product, then folded against the main body in order to securely assemble the device to the blackout product.

Advantageously, the fixing head has a housing comprising at least one receiving zone capable of receiving a portion of the screen structure (a tension wire for example) and a passage opening positioned between the two arms.

Optionally, the reception area is of substantially cylindrical shape and allows the device to rotate once the fixing head is engaged with the screen structure. Those skilled in the art will understand here that this cylindrical shape is not compulsory and that other means of rotation can be envisaged.

Preferably, the passage opening opens into the housing to allow the passage of the portion of the screen structure in the at least one reception area.

Thus, thanks to the different technical characteristics above, and in particular the presence of this fixing head and these foldable arms, it is possible to engage the system to fix the device on a screen structure then, without going to the neighbor, to assemble this structure integrally to the blackout product by bending the assembly arms against the main body of the device.

Optionally, it is possible to rotate the main body in the reception area to orient the arms on the face side, thanks in particular to the cylindrical shape of the reception area. The cylindrical shape of the reception area makes it possible to orient the arms in the right direction by rotating the body around itself around the mesh structure.

None of the systems known until now discloses such a function making it possible to orient the hanging system in the right direction to avoid passing to the other side of the grid structure (generally at the neighbor's).

Here, by interstice is meant perforations formed in the blackout product. It can be perforations made in the blackout product especially for the passage of the arms or simple slots on the blackout product which are intrinsic to the product such as for example the slots made in the material on the canisses or the brands.

The installer thus has an assembly system which adapts to all types of blackout products and all types of mesh structures, and which is very easy to use and does not require a visit to the neighbor.

Advantageously, the passage opening has peripheral edges having a shape which is substantially flared towards the outside so as to facilitate the passage of the portion of the grid structure in the at least one reception zone while preventing its withdrawal. .

This flared shape makes it possible to constitute non-return passage means. The engagement of the device in the reception area is therefore by snap-fastening.

Advantageously, the fixing head is composed at least partially in an elastic material to allow deformation of the head during the passage of the portion of the screen structure in the at least one receiving zone. This elasticity allows the head, deforming during the passage, to adapt to the dimensions of the portion of the screen structure.

This elasticity facilitates the positioning of the fixing head on the screen structure by allowing deformation of the head.

Advantageously, the housing comprises at least two reception zones in series with one another, the passage opening opening onto a single reception zone, called the first reception zone.

The housing thus comprises a series of successive reception zones in which the mesh structure can be accommodated.

Preferably, the two successive reception zones are separated from each other by a constriction.

Such a constriction makes it possible to prevent the mesh structure from passing from one zone to another.

Preferably, the reception zones have sections whose dimensions gradually decrease, the first reception zone being the largest.

It is understood here that having a plurality of zones in series with smaller and smaller dimensions makes it possible to have a fixing system which comes to adapt to the dimensions of the grid structure.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the main body has a folding zone at the base of each of the assembly arms so as to allow the folding of the arms against the main body after introduction of the arms into the interstices blackout product.

Such an area promotes folding.

Those skilled in the art will be able to provide other alternatives to facilitate folding, such as the formation of a main body with materials having a different density (for example a more flexible material at the arms for folding).

Preferably, it is desirable to have a clamp capable of enveloping the assembly arms after folding to hold the folded arms together. Such a clamp is removable and therefore pinches the arms once they are folded.

Such pliers allow the installer to secure his installation and guarantee good support in position of the arms in the folded position.

Advantageously, each assembly arm has a notched section.

In a variant, the notched sections of each of the arms are opposite one another and are thus able to entangle each other to allow the arms to be assembled and clamped together. We are talking about a tightening notch.

Advantageously, the main body is composed at least partially in a flexible plastic having a hardness substantially equal to 30 Shore A.

Such hardness ensures good mechanical properties to resist weathering and allow easy installation.

Preferably, the flexible plastic is selected from a thermoplastic elastomer such as for example a mechanical mixture of a thermoplastic polymer of the PP type (for polypropylene) and of an elastomer of the EPDM type (for Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer).

The use of such a material proved to be conclusive during the tests carried out, in particular for its elastic qualities but also for its mechanical strength.

In an alternative embodiment, it can be provided that the assembly arms are at least partially made of a deformable material without shape memory so that the assembly arms remain held in position against the body after folding.

Such a deformable material, consisting for example of a deformable metal part, also proves easy to use for the installer.

The object of the present invention relates, according to a second aspect, to a method of assembling a blackout product having a plurality of gaps on a screen structure.

Preferably, the method is implemented using at least one assembly device such as that described above and comprises the following steps:

- A fixing of the device on the screen structure by engaging the fixing head on a portion of the screen structure in order to allow the passage of said portion in the at least one area for receiving the housing;

- A rotation of the fixing head on itself relative to the screen structure so as to direct the two assembly arms on the front face of the screen structure opposite the blackout product; and

- an integral assembly of the device and the blackout product: a) by introducing each of the two assembly arms into one of the interstices of the blackout product, then b) by bending each of the arms against the main body.

Thus, the object of the present invention, by its different functional and structural aspects described above, provides an assembly device, simple to manufacture, the design of which allows adaptability to a very wide range of blackout products and structures. screened, all without requiring any tools during installation.

Brief description of the attached figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description below, with reference to the appended FIGS. 1 to 11 which illustrate an embodiment thereof devoid of any limiting nature and in which:

Figures 1 and 2 each show a schematic perspective view respectively from the side of an assembly device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 3 to 10 each show a schematic view of one of the steps of assembling a blackout product on a screen structure using an assembly device according to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 ; and FIG. 11 represents a schematic perspective view of a clamp intended to maintain the position of the assembly arms in the folded position.

Detailed description according to an advantageous exemplary embodiment

An assembly device according to an exemplary embodiment will now be described in what follows with reference to Figures 1 to 11.

For the record, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide users (a fence installer) with an assembly device which is simple to manufacture and use and which is universal to allow the assembly of n '' any type of product obscuring on a mesh structure.

This is made possible in the example described below.

In this example and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, there is an assembly device 100 which is in the form of a single piece formed in a deformable thermoplastic elastomer. This is obviously an example of a possible composition among others, the skilled person being able to select other materials having the desired properties, namely in particular the elasticity and / or the deformability.

In the example described here, the assembly device 100 therefore comprises a main body 101 having a so-called fixing head 10 and assembly arms 20 which each extend on either side of the fixing head 10 .

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the connecting arms 20 each point in a substantially identical direction.

Still as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fixing head 10 has a passage opening 14 leading to a housing 11. This opening 14 is formed between the two arms 20.

In this example, the housing 11 has two reception zones 12 and 13 having sections of different dimensions for receiving, for example, tension wires of a mesh structure which may have different diameters.

Here, a throttle 15 is provided between each reception zone so as to avoid the passage from one zone to the other.

In the embodiment described here, the installer of a fence therefore grasps the assembly device 100 and engages the fixing head 10 thereof with a portion of the mesh structure SG (here for example a wire of tension of a wire mesh).

During this engagement and as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the latter presents the arms 20 of the device 100 in the direction of the mesh structure SG so that the mesh structure SG engages in the opening 14 and penetrates in force. in the reception area 12 having the diameter associated therewith.

The reception of the mesh structure SG in the zone 12 is allowed by the deformation of the opening 14 when a force is exerted against the peripheral edges 14a of said opening. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the two edges 14a move apart from one another to allow the deformation of the opening 14 and allow the passage of the mesh structure SG in the reception area 12.

This deformation is here favored by the use of a thermoplastic elastomer and an opening 14 having a flared shape.

Once the mesh structure SG in the reception zone 12 or 13, it is held firmly in position as illustrated in FIG. 5. The narrowing of the opening 14 with the flared shape prevents (or at the very least limits) the removal of the device 100 relative to the mesh structure SG.

The device 100 includes means for rotating said device 100 around the mesh structure SG. In the embodiment described here, these means consist in that the inner wall of each receiving zone 12 and 13 is of cylindrical shape to allow the device 100 to rotate around the portion of the mesh structure SG engaged on the fixing head 10.

Obviously, it will be understood that a person skilled in the art will be able to envisage other embodiments to allow the device 100 to rotate relative to the mesh structure SG.

This rotation is characteristic of the present invention and avoids the installer having to position himself at his neighbor's house to make his fence.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the installer rotates the device 100 approximately 180 ° so that the assembly arms 20 are oriented on the garden side (and not on the neighboring side).

Once correctly oriented, the latter grasps the BV screening screen and positions it so that the assembly arms 20 each engage in the gaps O provided on the BV screening screen (FIG. 7).

When the assembly arms 20 are correctly engaged in these interstices O, the installer only has to fold each of the two arms 20 onto the BV privacy screen as illustrated in FIG. 8.

In this exemplary embodiment, the folding of the arms 20 is facilitated by a folding zone 21 formed at the intersection between the arms 20 and the main body 101. Other implementations could obviously be envisaged by those skilled in the art. loom to improve folding while allowing easy manufacturing and a so-called one-piece design.

So that the arms 20 are kept in the folded position, two alternative embodiments are provided here.

In a first alternative embodiment, each of the arms 20 has notches 22 which, once the arms folded, are entangled in one another and ensure that the arms are held in position in the folded state (FIG. 9).

In a second alternative embodiment, provision is made for the use of a holding clamp 30 (illustrated in FIG. 11) substantially in the shape of a U, the branches 31 of which are capable of enclosing the arms 20 together in the folded state (FIG. 10 ). In this variant, the installer therefore grasps a clamp 30 and encloses the two arms 20 folded back using the clamp 30 to hold them in position between the two branches 31. This second variant can complement the use notches 22. It will be understood that, alternatively, it is possible to provide arms 20 without notches.

The installer thus has an easy-to-use and inexpensive assembly device 100 which allows him to quickly fix his BV privacy screen on a SG mesh structure.

In a few operations, the latter fixes the device 100 on the mesh structure SG by engaging the fixing head 10 on a portion of the mesh structure SG in order to allow the passage of this portion of mesh structure in the receiving zone 12 (Figures 3 at 5).

The installer must then rotate the fixing head 10 on itself with respect to the mesh structure SG so as to direct the two assembly arms 20 towards the front face of the mesh structure SG opposite the blackout product BV (Figure 6), then integrally assembles the device 100 and the blackout product BV by introducing each of the two assembly arms 20 into one of the interstices O of the blackout product BV (Figure 7) and by folding each of the arms 20 against the main body 101 (Figure 8) to hold together the blackout product BV against the mesh structure SG.

To maintain the blackout BV in position against the mesh structure SG, it is possible to provide notches 22 on the arms 20 so as to hold the arms together in the folded state (FIG. 9).

Alternatively or additionally, provision may be made for the use of a U-shaped clamp 30 whose branches 31 enable the arms 20 to be clamped in the folded state to hold them together with one another.

The assembly device 100 according to the present invention is advantageous in that it is universal; such a device can be adapted to all types of blackout products (canisse, brande, mesh, artificial hedge, synthetic mesh screening, etc.) and all types of mesh structure. Its installation is easy and requires no tools unlike existing solutions.

It should be observed that this detailed description relates to various particular embodiments of the present invention, but that in no case this description is not in any way limiting on the subject of the invention; on the contrary, it aims to remove any possible inaccuracy or misinterpretation of the claims which follow.

It should also be observed that the reference signs put in brackets in the following claims are in no way limiting; the sole purpose of these signs is to improve the intelligibility and understanding of the claims which follow, as well as the scope of the protection sought.

Claims (16)

1. Device for assembling (100) a blackout product (BV) having a plurality of gaps (O) on a screen structure (SG), said device (100) comprising a main body (101) having: - a fixing head (10) configured to fix said device (100) on said screen structure (SG); and foldable assembly arms (20) extending substantially in the same direction on either side of said head (10) and configured to be introduced each into one of the interstices (O) of the blackout product (BV ) then folded against said main body (101) in order to assemble said device (100) to said blackout product (BV), in which said fixing head (10) has a housing (11) comprising at least one receiving zone ( 12, 13) able to receive a portion of said screen structure (SG) and a passage opening (14) positioned between the two arms (20) and opening into said housing (11) to allow the passage of said portion of screen structure (SG) in said at least one reception area (12, 13). 2. Device (100) according to claim 1, in which the passage opening (14) has peripheral edges (14a) having a shape which is substantially flared towards the outside so as to facilitate the passage of the portion of the screen structure ( SG) in said at least one reception zone (12, 13) while preventing its withdrawal. 3. Device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least said fixing head (10) is composed at least partially in an elastic material to allow deformation of said head (10) during the passage of said portion of mesh structure (SG) in said at least one receiving zone (12, 13) so as to adapt to the dimensions of said portion of mesh structure (SG). 4. Device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the housing (11) comprises at least two reception zones (12, 13) in series with one another, the passage opening (14) leading to a single reception area, called the first reception area (12). 5. Device (100) according to claim 4, wherein said at least two reception areas (12, 13) are separated from each other by a constriction (15). 6. Device (100) according to claim 4 or 5, in which the reception zones (12, 13) have sections whose dimensions gradually decrease, the first receiving area (12) being the largest. 7. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the main body (101) has a folding zone (21) at the base of each of the assembly arms (20) so as to allow folding said arms (20) against said main body (101) after introduction of said arms (20) into the interstices (O) of the blackout product (BV). 8. Device (100) according to claim 7, which comprises a clamp (30) capable of enveloping the assembly arms (20) after folding to hold said folded arms together (20). 9. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the main body (101) is composed at least partially in a flexible plastic having a hardness substantially equal to 30 Shore A. 10. Device (100) according to claim 9, wherein said flexible plastic is selected from a thermoplastic elastomer. 11. Device (100) according to claim 10, in which the thermoplastic elastomer comprises a mechanical mixture of a thermoplastic polymer of the polypropylene type and of an elastomer of the EPDM type. 12. Device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the assembly arms (20) are composed at least partially in a deformable material without shape memory so that the assembly arms (20) remain held in position against said body (101) after folding. 13. Device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in which the main body (101) is in one piece. 14. Device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said at least one receiving zone (12, 13) is of substantially cylindrical shape. 15. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each assembly arm (20) has a notched section (22). 16. Method for assembling a blackout product (BV) having a plurality of interstices (O) on a mesh structure (SG), said method being implemented using at least one assembly device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising the following steps: - A fixing of said device (100) on said screen structure (SG) by engaging the fixing head (20) on a portion of said screen structure (SG) in order to allow the passage of said portion in said at least one reception area (12, 13) of said housing (11); - A rotation of said fixing head (10) on itself relative to said screen structure (SG) so as to direct the two assembly arms (20) on the front face of the screen structure (SG) opposite said blackout product (BV); and - an assembly integral with said device (100) and said blackout product (BV): a) by introducing each of the two assembly arms (20) into one of the interstices (O) of the blackout product (BV), then b) by folding each of said arms (20) against said main body (101).