FR3120642A1 - Device for fixing decking boards to a support - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a fixing device (10) for fixing at least one decking board to a support, comprising: a base (12) comprising at least one guide member (18,20) projecting perpendicular to the upper face (14); a box (50) cooperating with the first guide member (18,20) so that the box (50) is mounted to slide relative to the base (12) in the first direction (D1); a holding element (70) mounted on the housing (50) and configured to be engaged at least in a groove of the decking board, the holding element (70) projecting on either side of the width of the housing ; and a locking element configured to secure the fastening device to the support. Figure for abstract: figure 11

Description

Device for fixing decking boards to a support

The present invention relates to the field of the manufacture of terrace floors made up of a plurality of terrace boards.

Traditionally, decking boards, which can be made of natural or composite wood, are fixed to a support. The latter generally consists of joists constituting a trellis, which have been previously fixed to the ground or to a concrete slab.

The decking boards are placed on the joists by being arranged parallel to each other along their lengths, most often in the direction of the width of the concrete slab. A floor consisting of parallel strips is thus formed.

To fix the decking boards to the joists, it is known to use fixing devices, generally called "clips", which are fixed to the joists by means of screws, and which have fins which engage in grooves formed along the longitudinal edges of the blades vis-à-vis.

There are several types of fastening devices. An example is described in document FR2864568.

It is understood that the portion of the blade which is located under the groove comes to engage between the fin and the support.

It is also known that decking boards tend to expand and swell when the humidity increases, especially in autumn and winter.

The expansion of the blades also has the effect of increasing their thickness, considered in a vertical direction.

Also, depending on the season in which the terrace is made, the boards will have different thicknesses. If the terrace is built in wet weather, it may happen that the portion of the board located under the groove is too thick to be engaged between the fin and the support.

Moreover, it happens that the position of the grooves vary from one blade to another, and that some grooves are higher than expected.

Also in this case, it may be difficult to engage the blade with the holder.

The installer must then rectify the width of the groove himself, or else scrap the defective board and choose another one.

Finally, there are models of blades of different thicknesses, depending on the type of wood or the quality of the blades. Also, from one blade model to another, the position of the grooves may vary. This generally requires the installer to have several types of fixing devices with dimensions adapted to the different models of blades.

An object of the invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a universal fixing device which can be used with blades of different thicknesses.

To do this, the invention relates to a fixing device for fixing to a support at least one deck board having a longitudinal edge provided with a groove, the fixing device comprising:

a base having an upper face, the base comprising at least a first guide member projecting perpendicular to the upper face in a first direction, the base having a length, a width, and a height;

a box cooperating with the first guide member so that the box is mounted to slide relative to the base in the first direction, the box having a length, a width and a height;

a holding element mounted on the housing and configured to be engaged at least in the groove of the decking board, the holding element projecting on either side of the housing in the longitudinal direction of the base; And

a locking element configured to secure the fastening device to the support.

The support preferably consists of joists, previously fixed to the ground. The joists are generally pieces of wood forming a trellis on which the boards are mounted.

The base forms a spacer between the slats and the support, which allows ventilation under the slats, and also to evacuate rainwater.

It is understood that the housing of the fixing device according to the invention is movable relative to the base in the first direction. When the base is fixed to the support, the first direction is generally vertical.

The distance between the holding element and the base of the fixing device can therefore be modified by moving the box relative to the base in the first direction along the guide member. Preferably, the fixing device has a minimum distance in which the box comes into contact with the base. The maximum distance is itself slightly less than the height of the first guide member so that the guide member remains engaged in the housing.

Also, thanks to the invention, the spacing between the retaining element and the upper face of the base can be adjusted according to the height of the groove considered from the upper face of the base, i.e. ie the thickness of the portion of the blade located under the groove.

In practice, the installer first places the base on the support, generally a joist, then engages the box with the first guide member. The fitter then places at least one slat, preferably two slats, on the base so that the holding element is introduced into the groove(s) of the slat(s). The box then positions itself in height relative to the base by sliding along the guide member.

The installer then locks the box, the base and the retaining element to the support using the locking element.

The locking element exerts a force on the holding element, and consequently on the slats, directed in the first direction towards the base, so that the slats are pressed against the base. At the same time, the blades press the base against the support.

The slats are then firmly held to the support thanks to the fixing device, which has adapted to the position of the grooves of the slats.

Advantageously, considered along the longitudinal direction of the base, the upper face of the base comprises two base portions arranged on either side of the guide member, to receive two decking boards, at least one of base portions comprising a recess bordered by a peripheral edge to receive one of the blades.

One advantage of the recess is to improve the evacuation of rainwater between the boards and the support, and thus to avoid an accumulation of water under the terrace which is likely to damage the boards and/or the support.

Preferably, the base comprises a base, preferably peripheral, which is provided with pads.

The notches located between two adjacent runners further improve the evacuation of rainwater from the base.

Advantageously, the base has an orifice which is through and which extends in a direction parallel to the first direction, the orifice being shaped to receive the locking element when the fixing device is secured to the support.

The locking element thus passes through the base via the hole. The latter is preferably located in the middle of the base.

The base is preferably a plastic piece.

According to a preferred embodiment, the base comprises a second guide member, the first and second guide members being arranged on either side of the orifice, preferably along the width of the base.

The presence of two guide members has the effect of preventing rotation of the case relative to the base. An interest is to facilitate the assembly of the fixing device.

The first and second guide members extend from a part of the base which forms a bridge connecting the two longitudinal edges of the base.

Advantageously, the box comprises at least one cavity to receive the first guide member. This cavity opens into an underside of the case. It constitutes a housing for the first guide member.

The first guide member preferably has the shape of a lug. Still preferably, the lug is cylindrical or frustoconical. It is understood that the lug is engaged in the cavity when the box is mounted on the base.

Preferably, the first guide member is deformable. To do this, the first guide member is preferably hollow. Also, the first guide member can crush on itself in a direction of crushing perpendicular to the first direction in the event, for example, of horizontal expansion of the blades.

Advantageously, the box further comprises a hole extending along the height of the box and which is through, the hole being shaped to receive the locking element when the fixing device is secured to the support.

The hole is therefore crossed by the locking element when the fixing device is secured to the support.

Advantageously, the hole in the box is in the extension of the hole in the base when the box is mounted on the base.

The length of the box roughly corresponds to the width of the base. The height of the box is slightly greater than the height of the first guide member.

Advantageously, the holding element is an insert, preferably metallic, which is fixed to the case.

The case is preferably made of plastic. The insert is preferably overmolded with the case.

The metal insert makes it possible to improve the robustness of the fixing device according to the invention, compared to traditional fixing devices whose holding element is made of plastic.

The insert preferably protrudes on either side of the width of the box. The two protruding parts of the insert form fins which are intended to engage in the grooves of the blades.

Advantageously, the holding element has the form of a plate provided with an opening, the opening being shaped to receive the locking element when the fixing device is secured to the support.

Preferably, the insert has the shape of a wafer.

The opening of the plate is preferably aligned with the hole of the case.

It is understood that the locking element is engaged successively in the opening of the wafer, the hole of the case and the orifice of the base before being introduced into the support.

Preferably, the housing hole and the plate opening are coaxial, the housing hole being set back radially with respect to the opening, whereby the locking element bears against the plate when the fixing device is attached to the support.

The locking element preferably comprises an elongated body, for example a threaded rod, terminated by a head.

The head of the locking element is shaped to bear against the plate, preferably against the metal insert, when the fixing device is fixed to the support.

The locking element, which is preferably metallic, exerts a force on the metallic insert and not on the plastic case, which has the advantage of not damaging the plastic of the case in the event of strong tightening of the element locking.

Preferably, the wafer has a lateral edge provided with claws configured to bear against a wall of the groove of the blade.

More specifically, the claws are inclined towards an underside of the case. In other words, the claws are inclined towards the base, preferably at an angle of approximately 30°-45° with respect to the plane of the insert.

Thanks to this conformation, the claws are planted in the lower wall of the groove when fixing the fixing device. This lower wall extends in a plane parallel to the upper face of the base. These claws have the function of reducing the play of the blades in a horizontal plane. They also improve the pressing of the slats against the base.

Advantageously, the wafer has an inclined side edge.

The side flange is inclined with respect to the plate plane or has a bead. It is preferentially opposed to claws.

The inclined lateral edge is adapted to come into contact with a bottom wall of the groove of the blade in which it is engaged, in particular during expansion of the blade in a horizontal plane.

The direction of inclination of the side edge is opposite to that of the claws.

Advantageously, the locking element comprises a screw, which comprises a screw head, and the screw head bears against the holding element when the fixing device is secured to the support.

The screw has a threaded body terminated by the screw head. At the opposite end of the screw head is a self-drilling tip.

The screw head therefore exerts a thrust on the retaining element, and preferably on the metal insert, directed towards the base when the fixing device is secured to the support.

Advantageously, the hole in the base, the hole in the housing and the opening in the retaining element are aligned and shaped to be crossed by the locking element when the fastening device is secured to the support.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the box comprises cells so as to be able to be crushed on itself in the longitudinal direction of the base.

If the slats expand in a horizontal plane, i.e. along the width of the slats, the longitudinal edges of two adjacent slats approach each other. The housing, and preferably the first guide member, deforms by crushing slightly so as to absorb the expansion of the blades, which makes it possible to prevent the blades from twisting or being damaged in the event of expansion. The deformability of the casing and of the first guide member is configured to allow the blades to almost come into contact with the locking element.

The invention further relates to an installation comprising a support, first and second decking boards and at least one fixing device according to the invention, in which each of the first and second boards has a groove formed along at least the one of its longitudinal edges, the grooves of the first and second strips being arranged opposite one another on either side of the housing of the fixing device, the first and second strips being placed on the base and the base of the fixing device being integral with the support, while the holding element of the fixing device is engaged in the grooves, the locking element being introduced into the holding element, into the housing and into the base while being tightened so as to exert a force on the holding element directed towards the support so as to press the first and second blades against the base, and press the base against the support.

Description of the drawings

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

There is an exploded view of one embodiment of the fastening device according to the invention;

There is a top view of the base of the fixing device of the ;

There is a cross-sectional view of the base of the ;

There is a bottom view of the base of the ;

There is a top view of the case of the fixing device of the ;

There is a bottom view of the case of the fixing device of the ;

There is a cross-sectional view of the housing of the ;

There is a side view of the case of the ;

There is a top view of the retaining element of the fastening device of the ;

There is a side view of the holding element of the ;

There is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an installation according to the invention in which the device for fixing the is engaged in two thin blades, the section being taken along the axis of the locking element;

There is a cross-sectional view of the installation of the , the section being taken along the axis of the first guide member;

There is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an installation according to the invention in which the device for fixing the is engaged in two very thick blades, the section being taken along the axis of the locking element;

There is a cross-sectional view of the installation of the , the section being taken along the axis of the first guide member; And

There illustrates the deformation of the housing and of the first guide member of the device for fixing the installation of the during a horizontal expansion of the blades.

detailed description

On the , there is illustrated an embodiment of a fixing device 10 for fixing to a support S a first decking board 100 and a second decking board 200. In known manner, the first decking board 100 has a longitudinal edge 102 in which is formed a groove 104 which extends in the longitudinal direction of the first deck board. The second decking board 200 has a longitudinal edge 202 in which is made a groove 204 which extends in the longitudinal direction of the first decking board. The first and second decking boards 100,200 are parallel to each other in their longitudinal directions and each cooperate with the fixing device 10.

In this example, the support S consists of a latticework of joists 2 .

The fixing device 10 comprises a base 12 having an upper face 14 and a lower face 16 .

Using Figures 11 to 14 , it is understood that the upper face 14 is intended to carry the decking boards 100 , 200 , while the lower face 16 of the base 12 is pressed against the joist 2 .

The base 12 also comprises a first guide member 18 and a second guide member 20 which project perpendicularly to the upper face 14 in a first direction D 1 .

In this example, the base 12 is made of a plastic material.

Referring to Figures 2 to 4 , it can be seen that the base comprises a base provided with notches 24 defined between pads 26 . It is understood with the aid of Figures 11 to 14 that when the base 12 is placed on the joist 2 , the pads 26 bear against the upper surface of the joist 2 . The indentations 24 make it possible to provide ventilation under the blades 100 , 200 , and also to evacuate rainwater.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the first and second guide members 18, 20 have the form of hollow lugs. The first and second guide members 18, 20 comprise for this purpose recesses 18a and 20a, visible on the , which allow the first and second guide members 18, 20 to be able to be crushed radially, in particular to absorb a horizontal expansion of the blades.

Furthermore, as seen in Figures 1 and 2 , considered along the longitudinal direction DL of the base 12 , the upper face 14 of the base 12 comprises two base portions 12a , 12b which are arranged either side of the first and second guide members 10 , 20 , to receive the two decking boards 100 , 200 .

In this example, each of the two base portions 12a , 12b comprises recesses 12c , 12d which are bordered by a peripheral edge 15 of the base 12 . It is understood that the blades 100 , 200 rest on this peripheral edge 15 .

The recesses 12c , 12d contribute to good ventilation under the blades 100 , 200 , and to the evacuation of rainwater.

It is therefore understood that the recesses 12c and 12d , associated with the notches 24 , provide very good ventilation under the blades 100 , 200 and facilitate the evacuation of rainwater.

Furthermore, the base 12 comprises an orifice 40 which passes through the thickness of the base 12. As can be seen on the , the orifice 40 is disposed between the first and second guide members 18, 20.

The orifice 40 is therefore through and extends along a direction D2 which is parallel to the first direction D1. This direction D2 is vertical when the base is placed on the joist 2. It can also be seen on the that the centers of the first and second guide members 18, 20 and the center of the orifice 40 are aligned in a direction parallel to the transverse direction of the base 12.

More specifically, the orifice 40 is formed in a part forming a bridge connecting the two longitudinal edges 15a , 15b of the peripheral edge 15 of the base.

Referring again to the , it is noted that the fixing device 10 further comprises a housing 50, in this example, made of plastic, which constitutes a separate part of the base.

Housing 50 is shown in more detail in Figures 5-8 . As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the casing 50 comprises a first cavity 52 to receive the first guide member 18 , and a second cavity 54 to receive the second guiding member 20 when the casing 50 is mounted on the base 12 .

Using Figures 11 to 14 , it is understood that the housing 5 cooperates with the first and second guide members 18 , 20 so that the housing 50 is mounted to slide relative to the base 12 in the first direction D 1 .

The casing 50 further comprises cells 56 which, considered along the length x of the casing 50 , are arranged between the first and second cavities 52 , 54 . The cells 56 allow the box 50 to be crushed on itself according to its width y , in particular during a horizontal expansion of the blades.

When the box 50 is mounted on the base 12 , it is understood that the longitudinal direction Dx of the box 50 is parallel to the transverse direction DT of the base 12 .

The box 50 also includes a hole 60 which extends along the height z of the box 50 and which is through. Considered along the longitudinal direction Dx of the casing 50 , the hole 60 is located substantially in the middle of the casing 50 .

The casing 50 further comprises an upper wall 58 into which the orifice 60 opens.

The housing 50 further comprises a slot 64, visible in , which is located under the upper wall 62 and which opens laterally on either side of the width y of the housing 50.

This slot extends along almost the entire length x of the housing, and over its entire width y .

The fixing device 10, as illustrated in , further comprises a holding device 70 which is mounted on the housing 50 and, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 14, is configured to be engaged in the grooves 104, 204 of the decking boards 100, 200. , that the holding element 70 protrudes on either side of the width of the housing.

The holding element 70 is an insert 72 , metallic in this example, which is integral with the casing 50 . More specifically, the insert 72 has the shape of a plate 74 which is placed in the slot 64 of the housing 50 .

The wafer 74 therefore comprises a first portion 74a projecting relative to the housing 50 and forming a first fin. Plate 74 further includes a second portion 74b projecting relative to housing 50 and forming a second fin opposite to the first fin. Insert 72 is illustrated in more detail in Figures 9 and 10 .

The wafer 74 has an opening 76 which passes through the thickness of the wafer 74 .

In this example, the housing 50 is made of plastic and is overmolded with the metal plate 74 . The hole 60 of the housing 50 and the opening 76 of the plate 74 are coaxial. In this example, the hole 60 of the housing 50 is set back radially with respect to the opening 76 of the plate 74 . To do this, the diameter of the hole 60 of the housing 50 is larger than the diameter of the opening 76 .

As illustrated in , the wafer 74 is provided with claws 75 which extend from a side edge 74c of the wafer. These claws are configured to bear against a wall of the groove of the blade.

Specifically, the claws 75 are configured to bear against a lower wall 102 a of the groove 104 of the first blade 100 . The wafer 74 also has a side edge 74 d opposite the side edge 74 c, this side edge 74 d having a fold or bead 77 . As understood with the aid of FIGS. 11 to 14 , the bead 77 is configured to bear against a lower wall 204a of the groove 204 of the second blade 200 .

The fixing device 10 further comprises a locking element 80 which is configured to secure the fixing device and the blades to the support. In this example, the locking element 80 is a screw which comprises a threaded rod 82 having a first end 82 a provided with a head 84 , and a second longitudinal end 82 b provided with a self-perforating point 86 .

It will be understood, with the aid of FIGS. 11 to 14 , that the orifice 40 is shaped to receive the locking element 80 when the fastening device 10 is secured to the support. The hole 60 is itself shaped to receive the locking element 80 when the fixing device 10 is secured to the support. Finally, the opening 76 is shaped to receive the locking element 80 when the fixing device is secured to the support. In this example, the screw head 84 of the locking element bears against the holding element 70 when the fastening device is secured to the support. It is also understood that the orifice 40 of the base 12 , the hole 60 of the housing 50 and the opening 76 of the holding element are aligned and shaped to be crossed by the locking element 80 when the fixing device is attached to the support.

Insofar as the hole in the housing is set back radially with respect to the opening 76 of the plate 74 , it is understood that the head 84 of the screw 82 bears directly against the metal insert 72 when the fixing device is attached to the support.

In FIGS. 11 and 12 , a first embodiment of an installation 500 according to the invention has been illustrated. This installation 500 comprises a support consisting of a sleeper 2 , first and second decking boards 100 , 200 having a thickness e 1 . As explained above, the groove 104 of the first blade 100 has a bottom wall 104a , while the groove 204 has a bottom wall 204a . The lower walls 104 a, 204 a are parallel to the upper face of the base 12 .

The installation 500 further comprises a fixing device 10 according to the invention, namely that of the . The grooves 104, 204 of the first and second blades 100,200 are arranged facing each other on either side of the housing 50 of the fixing device 10. The base 12 of the fixing device 10 is placed on the support 2, while the holding element 70 of the fixing device 10 is engaged in the grooves 102, 202. The locking element 80 is successively engaged in the holding element 70, in the housing 50 so as to press the first and second blades 100, 200 and the base 12 against the support 2.

On the , the behavior of the fastening device 10 according to the invention has been illustrated in a situation in which the blades 100 and 200 expand, for example due to an increase in the humidity of the air which causes the blades to swell.

As illustrated in Figures 12 and 15 , this expansion has the effect that the longitudinal edges 102 , 202 of the first and second blades 100,200 approach each other. In practice, this rapprochement is of the order of a few millimeters.

As explained above, the box 50 and the lugs 18 , 20 of the base 12 are deformable. More precisely, they can be slightly crushed on themselves in a horizontal plane.

In the event of very significant expansion of the slats, the longitudinal edges of the slats pinch the box. Thanks to the deformability of the case, and preferably of the lugs which are then engaged in the case, the case and the lugs deform slightly by crushing under the action of pinching. This has the effect of resuming, over a few millimetres, the horizontal expansion of the slats and thus preventing the slats from twisting or disengaging from the fastening device. When the humidity drops, the blades contract and move slightly apart. The case and the lugs then return to their initial shape.

The terraces made using fastening devices according to the invention therefore have better resilience and durability than those made with traditional fastening clips.

Claims (16)

Fixing device (10) for fixing to a support (S) at least one decking board (100,200) having a longitudinal edge (102,202) provided with a groove (104,204), the fixing device comprising:
a base (12) having an upper face (14), the base comprising at least one first guide member (18,20) projecting perpendicular to the upper face (14) in a first direction (D1), the base having a length defining a longitudinal direction (D4), and a width defining a transverse direction;
a box (50) cooperating with the first guide member (18,20) such that the box (50) is mounted to slide relative to the base (12) in the first direction (D1), the box having a length (x), a width (y) and a height (z);
a holding element (70) mounted on the housing (50) and configured to be engaged at least in the groove (104,204) of the decking board (100,200), the holding element (70) projecting on either side another of the width of the case; And
a locking element (80) configured to secure the fixing device to the support. Fastening device according to Claim 1, in which, considered along the longitudinal direction (DL) of the base (12), the upper face (14) of the base (12) comprises two base portions (12a, 12b ) arranged on either side of the first guide member (18,20), to receive two decking boards (100,200), at least one of the base portions (12a, 12b) comprising a recess (12c, 12d) bordered by a peripheral edge (15). Fastening device according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the base (12) comprises a base (22) provided with indentations (24). Fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims, in that the base (12) comprises an orifice (40) which passes through and which extends in a direction (DL) parallel to the first direction, the orifice (40) being shaped to receive the locking element (80) when the fixing device (10) is secured to the support. Fixing device according to claim 4, in which the base comprises a second guide member (20), the first and second guide members (18,20) being arranged on either side of the orifice (40) , preferably along the width (l) of the base. Fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the housing (50) comprises at least one cavity (52,54) to receive the first guide member (18,20). Fastening device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the casing (50) further comprises a hole (60) extending along the height (z) of the casing (50) and which passes through, the hole (60 ) being shaped to receive the locking element (80) when the fixing device (10) is secured to the support. Fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the holding element (70) is an insert (72), preferably of metal, which is fixed to the housing (50). Fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the holding element (70) has the form of a plate (74) provided with an opening, the opening (76) being shaped to receive the locking element (80) when the fixing device is secured to the support. Fixing device according to claims 7 and 9, in which the hole (60) of the casing (50) and the opening (76) of the plate (74) are coaxial, the hole (60) of the casing (50) being withdrawal radially with respect to the opening (76), whereby the locking element (80) bears against the plate when the fixing device is secured to the support. Fixing device according to claim 9 or 10, in which the plate (74) has a lateral edge (74c) provided with claws (75) configured to come to rest in a wall (104a) of the groove of the blade (100) . Fastening device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, in which the pad (74) has a side flange (74c) having a bead (77). Fixing device according to the preceding claims, in which the locking element comprises a screw (82), which comprises a screw head (84), and in which the screw head bears against the holding element (70 ) when the fixing device is secured to the support. Fixing device according to claims 4, 7 and 9, in which the orifice (40) of the base (12), the hole (60) of the housing (50) and the opening (76) of the holding (70) are aligned and shaped to be traversed by the locking element (80) when the fixing device is secured to the support. Fixing device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the casing (50) comprises cells (56) so as to be able to be crushed on itself along its width. Installation (500,600) comprising a support (2), first and second decking boards (100,200) and at least one fixing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each of the first and second boards (100,200 ) has a groove (104.204) formed along at least one of its longitudinal edges (102.202), the grooves of the first and second blades (100.200) being arranged facing each other on either side of the housing (50) of the fixing device (10), the base (12) of the fixing device (10) is placed on the support (2) while the retaining element (70) of the fixing device is engaged in the grooves (104,204), the locking element (20) being engaged in the retaining element (70), in the case (50) and in the base (12) and in the support (2) so as to exert a force on the holding element directed against the support (2) so as to press the first and second blades and the base (12).