FR3138463A1 - Slatted fence with improved bracing - Google Patents

Abstract

Slatted fence with improved bracing. The invention relates to a fence (C) comprising posts (100a, 100b), slats (200) and spacers (300), said posts (100a and 100b) being preformed profiled elements with at least one vertical rebate ( 110a), remarkable in that the spacer (300) is preformed in male and/or female shapes for fixing by pinching on the lower longitudinal edge (220) of the blade (200) arranged above and on the longitudinal edge upper (230) of the blade (200) arranged below, and in that the spacer (300) and the edges (220, 230) are dimensioned such that the width of the assembly carried out around the spacer (300), between the spacer (300) and the two edges (220, 230) between which it is inserted, is greater than the spacing of the vertical edges (111a, 112a) of the rebate so as to create a constraint horizontal on said vertical edges (110a, 112a). Figure for abstract: Fig. 6a

Description

Slatted fence with improved bracing

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of fences constructed of rigid elements comprising slats and posts and more particularly relates to adaptations making it possible to optimize the junction between the slats and the collaboration of said slats with the posts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

In the field of fences constructed of rigid elements comprising slats and posts, it is known to position the slats between the pre-installed posts by sliding the ends of said slats in vertical grooves or rabbets made in the posts.

It is also known to use spacers to ensure the positioning and spacing of the blades.

These spacers can be preformed to accommodate the edge of the blade and/or to orient the latter.

The document JP2001295510 describes a fence whose structure includes simple or preformed spacers with grooves on the upper and lower surface in which the lower and upper longitudinal edges of the blades are respectively positioned in order, for example, to orient them like louvers. To do this, the groove arranged on the upper surface is preformed at the opposite end of that where the groove arranged on the lower surface is preformed.

Document WO2007140516 describes a barrier system comprising a plurality of slats or slats and a plurality of retaining elements or posts. Each retainer provides a vertical channel for receiving the ends of the slats, and there are a plurality of spacers or spacers, each positionable between adjacent slats, the spacers being configured to provide an angle desired slats and act as a support for a subsequent slat so that when the barrier is assembled, the separation of the interposers by the slats provides a series of slots which secure the slats in place within the channel without require additional mounting accessories.

This type of design nevertheless has disadvantages described below.

The assembly operation requires systematic alternation between the sliding of the slats in the posts already installed on the one hand and the sliding of the two spacers in the posts on the other hand before engaging the next slat and so on. The ends of the blades and the spacers slide into the vertical grooves or rabbets made in the posts. The positioning of the blade in relation to the spacer or vice versa causes significant assembly times. In addition, once the elements have been slipped into the posts, this assembly with shapes that must correspond is not easy.

Sliding is therefore necessary during assembly and the increase in clearance can facilitate operations but has the disadvantage of leaving the ends of the blade without means of holding which can be the cause of noise when the mounted fence is subjected to the wind.

The variability of the dimensions of the different elements coming into cooperation increases the phenomenon of play between the slats and play between the slats and the posts.

Even when the play is not present during assembly, it can appear through expansion or retraction when the assembled fence is subject to climatic hazards.

One solution to resolve this problem consisted of manufacturing the constituent elements of the fence with stricter dimensional constraints, which had the effect of increasing costs without the result being guaranteed.

Another solution consisted of using a gluing means or an additional fixing means such as screwing to guarantee retention in position, which increases the cost and increases the assembly time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Noting this, the applicant carried out research aimed at solving the disadvantages of prior art fences.

This research led to the design and creation of a fence solving not only the problems of assembly time but also those linked to the clearance necessary for assembly.

According to the invention, the fence comprises posts, slats and spacers;

said posts are preformed profiled elements with at least one vertical rebate, the rebate has an opening defined by two vertical profile edges,

the blades are elongated elements with two lateral ends and comprise a lower longitudinal edge and an upper longitudinal edge, the blades sliding between two posts,

the lateral ends of the slats are positioned in the rebate of the posts, the thickness of the slats allowing them to slide between the vertical edges of the opening of the rebate,

a spacer is inserted between each end of the blades.

This fence is remarkable in that

the spacer has a lower surface and an upper surface and is preformed:

of male and/or female shapes on its upper surface for fixing by pinching on the lower longitudinal edge of the blade arranged above the spacer and

of male and/or female shapes on its lower surface for fixing by pinching on the upper longitudinal edge of the blade placed below the spacer and in that

the spacer and the edges of the slats are dimensioned such that the width of the assembly made around the spacer, between the spacer and the two longitudinal edges between which it is inserted, is greater than the spacing of the edges verticals defining the opening of the rebate so as to create a horizontal constraint on said vertical edges, guaranteeing that the assembly is held in position in the rebate.

This feature is particularly advantageous in that it avoids alternating between mounting the blades and mounting the spacers. The spacers are mounted directly on the blade before sliding and therefore more easily. The assembly process consisting of fixing the spacers on the blade before sliding the assembly into the posts, avoids the separate sliding of the spacers in the posts between each slide of the blade. The assembly therefore takes less time.

The spacer is clamped on the two blades between which it is inserted.

The slats are therefore attached to each other thanks to the spacers independently of the posts.

In addition, maintaining the slats in position in the posts has been the subject of a particularly judicious design by proposing the creation of a horizontal constraint once the two slats are mounted on the spacer.

The fixing of the slats to the posts is therefore implemented by this horizontal constraint on the vertical edges of the rebate. The addition of the horizontal dimensions of the slat and spacer assembly, being greater than the spacing of the vertical edges of the rebate, ensures wedging. Such a characteristic does not prevent easy and rapid assembly because it is implemented when two blades (lower and upper) cooperate with the spacer.

The upper sum of the dimensions can be obtained by the use of one or more elements of dimensions such that their addition exceeds that of the spacing or by the deformation of the cooperating elements so that, once deformed, the sum of the dimensions of the deformed elements exceed that of the spacing. This higher addition or this deformation takes place not only at the level of the spacer but also nearby, that is to say near the latter.

Thus, the sliding of the lower blade assembly plus spacers is possible and it is only when the next assembly is slid into the rebates or nearby that the constraint of maintaining position is created.

This technical characteristic makes it possible to resolve the game problem inherent to the variability of the dimensions of the different elements coming into cooperation.

The fence of the invention is rigid and no element is likely, after final assembly, to move during, for example, exposure to the wind.

Its assembly process is therefore remarkable in that it ensures an operation of holding in position by placing the upper blade on the assembly formed by the lower blade and the already mounted spacers.

In most situations, the spacer does not work directly with the post. The hollow volume of the rebate accommodating the spacer in most situations is much greater than that of the spacer. The assembly formed by the spacer associated with the blade therefore slides very easily in the rebate to reach its final position in the apron or panel formed by the stacked blades. This also gives a large tolerance for positioning the spacers on the blade before sliding the assembly into the posts.

Another effect of such a design is that the spacer may not be visible from the outside once mounted hidden in the rebate. The spacer can be housed outside and close to the rebate while having the same technical effects. However, according to a preferred characteristic, said spacers are inserted between the lateral ends and are positioned in the rebates of the posts.

In order to facilitate this assembly, the male/female shapes which cooperate between the blade and the spacer are oriented vertically so that the vertical translation movement when the blade slides ensures the cooperation of the lower longitudinal edge with the spacer and causes the creation of the horizontal constraint guaranteed to maintain position.

This jamming triggered each time an upper blade slides with the spacers installed on the upper edge of the immediately lower blade creates a horizontal constraint supporting expansion. However, in order to have identical expansion, the spacer is, according to a preferred embodiment, made of the same material as the blades. According to another embodiment, the spacer, the slats and the posts are made of the same material. According to one embodiment, the spacer is made of plastic material. According to a preferred embodiment, the spacer is made of aluminum.

Positioning tolerances can therefore be greater and manufacturing costs are reduced.

The spacer can cooperate with tubular blades or not, arranged in a louvered manner or not.

According to a preferred embodiment, the blades are non-tubular and have upper and lower longitudinal edges offset so as to present an inclined median surface.

According to another preferred embodiment, the blades are non-tubular and have coplanar upper and lower longitudinal edges so as to present a vertical median surface.

Of course, other blade profiles are possible.

The use of non-tubular blades is more economical by presenting only one canvas.

According to another particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the spacer is a profiled element of quadrilateral section.

the lower side of which is preformed with a lower horizontal extension at the distal end of which a vertical portion projects upwards,

the upper side of which is preformed with an upper horizontal extension in the opposite direction to the lower horizontal extension and at the distal end of which a vertical portion projects downwards.

According to a preferred embodiment, the profile of the spacer has central symmetry. We understand that such a configuration allows this spacer to be used on both sides and avoids the creation of spacers dedicated to the right or left of the blade or to the oriented profile of the rebate of the post.

According to another particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the lower and upper longitudinal edges of the blades adopt a U-shaped profile into which the vertical portions of the spacer are inserted during assembly. Thus, once mounted, the blades can hide the spacers, which allows the following characteristic to be considered without affecting the aesthetics.

According to another particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the fence comprises at least one additional spacer placed between the two ends of the blade in order to prevent the bending of these elongated elements and to increase the rigidity of the panel formed by the blades. The presence of this intermediate spacer facilitates the use of non-tubular blades. In addition, it allows the use of a larger spacing between posts or allows the presence of a post to be avoided without harming the aesthetics since it remains hidden by being covered laterally by the projections of the slats.

According to another particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the fence comprises a profile with a vertical projection which is fixed between the posts on the support on which the posts are fixed and with which the lower longitudinal edge of the first blade engaged in the poles. This low fixing profile provides the interface between the apron formed by the slats and the support on which the posts are fixed. It guarantees good fixing and rigidity of the apron. It constitutes an easier to fix and more economical alternative compared to using the spacer for the same purpose.

According to another particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the vertical rebate of the post comprises a preformed bottom of a reception zone whose width is defined so that an elongated spacer can be fixed there for fixing the last blade engaged in the posts in the same position as the previous blades, the aim being to prevent the upper part of this last blade from tilting to one side or the other of the rebate under the action of the wind by lack of guaranteed mechanical strength. This feature also contributes to the fixing and rigidity of the deck while using the same spacer profile but of different length. By being longer, this spacer will not only ensure the horizontal constraint described above on the edges of the rebate but it will also attach itself to the bottom of the rebate preformed for this purpose, which the other shorter spacers to avoid any discomfort when sliding into place the first slats.

According to another particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, said reception zone accommodates blades of different profiles. This reception area is not exclusively intended for the reception of elongated spacers but also allows the reception of different slats making the posts and therefore the fence versatile. Thus, to form certain aprons, there is no need to use a spacer. This is the case, for example, when the blades are tubular with a rectangular section placed on top of each other. The blades can then be longer and directly cooperate with said reception area.

The assembly obtained is precise and without play. Indeed, by being at the bottom of the rebate, this reception zone has more precise dimensions with tighter tolerances than those defining the spacing between the vertical edges constituting the opening of the rabbet.

According to another particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, at least one post includes an upright and a fixing base associated with its lower end, an additional vertical profile coming to be associated with said upright, said upright being preformed vertically on its height of shapes male and/or female with which the additional vertical profile cooperates for reinforcement purposes. Such a characteristic makes it possible to offer, when necessary, reinforcement to the post so as to avoid any deformation in the event of high stress linked to the wind resistance of the fence.

The fundamental concepts of the invention having just been explained above in their most basic form, other details and characteristics will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows and with reference to the appended drawings, giving as non-limiting examples of embodiments of a fence according to the invention.

is a schematic drawing of an exterior perspective view of a fence section according to the invention;

is a schematic drawing of a profile view of an embodiment of the spacer according to the invention;

is a schematic drawing of an exterior perspective view of said spacer;

is a schematic perspective drawing of a fence blade on which two spacers have been mounted;

is a schematic drawing of a side view of the fence blade on which two spacers have been mounted;

is a schematic drawing of a side view of the fence blade on which two spacers have been mounted sliding in a post;

is a schematic drawing of a top view of the end of the fence blade of the slipped into a post;

is a schematic drawing of a top view of the end of the fence blade of the slipped into a reinforced post;

is a schematic drawing of a profile view of two fence slats cooperating with the same spacer and slipped into a post;

is a schematic drawing of a profile view of the cooperation of a spacer with two blades;

is a schematic drawing of a partial perspective view cut along a median plane of the rear part of the fence section accommodating the low fixing profile and the intermediate spacer;

is a schematic drawing of a top view of the upper part of the fence deck housing the elongated spacer;

is a schematic drawing of a perspective view of the upper part of the fence deck housing the elongated spacer;

is a schematic drawing of a profile view of the fence deck accommodating a straight blade.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

There illustrates a section of a fence referenced C as a whole and which is a fence with rigid elements comprising:

- posts of which two 100a and 100b are illustrated,

- horizontal blades 200, and

- spacers (not illustrated in this general figure because not directly visible from the outside);

As illustrated for the post 100a in Figures 5a and 5b, said posts are preformed profiled elements with at least (here two) one vertical rebate 110a, the rebate presenting an opening 120a defined by two vertical profile edges 111a and 112a.

As illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the blades 200 are elongated elements with two lateral ends 210a and 210b and comprising a lower longitudinal rim 220 and an upper longitudinal rim 230.

As illustrated by the , the blades 200 slide between the two posts 100a and 100b.

As illustrated for the post 100a and for the end 210a by the , the lateral ends of the blades 200 are positioned in the rabbets (here the rabbet 110a of the post 100a).

As illustrated by the , the thickness of the blades 200 allows them to slide between the vertical edges 111a and 112a of the opening 120a of the rebate 110a of the post 100a.

The spacer 300 which is inserted between each end of the blades 200 while being positioned in the vertical rebates is illustrated from Figures 2a and 2b. As it appears on the , it has dimensions much smaller than those of the rebate which accommodates it.

As illustrated by Figures 2a and 2b, the spacer 300 is a profiled element of quadrilateral section in its middle part,

the lower side 310 of which is preformed with a lower horizontal extension 311 at the distal end of which projects upwards a vertical portion 312,

the upper side 320 of which is preformed with an upper horizontal extension 321 in the opposite direction to the lower extension 311 and at the distal end of which a vertical portion 322 projects downwards.

These vertical portions 312 and 322 constitute male shapes with which the longitudinal edges of the blades 200 cooperate.

To do this as illustrated by , the lower 220 and upper 230 longitudinal edges of the blades 200 adopt a U-shaped profile into which the vertical portions 321 and 322 of the spacer are inserted during assembly. As illustrated, the U-shaped profile of the longitudinal edges has branches of different lengths, the external branch being longer so that once engaged with the spacer the latter is hidden.

In order to provide a louvered configuration, the slats 200 have upper 230 and lower 220 longitudinal edges offset so as to present an inclined median surface 240. This offset nevertheless allows the end 210a of the blade to slide in the rebate between the vertical edges 112a and 111a.

Another embodiment of the blades according to the invention is illustrated by the where the 200' slats are straight and vertical. The spacer 300 is the same, the blades 200' are simply oriented in opposition.

As illustrated, the male/female shapes which cooperate between the blade 200 and the spacer 300 are oriented vertically so that a vertical translation movement (according to arrow F1) ensures the cooperation of said shapes. The fixation between the spacer and the blades is done by pinching not only the vertical portions 321 and 322 in the U-shaped profiles of the longitudinal edges but also the internal branch of the U in the space separating the vertical portion from the rest of the quadrilateral profile .

In order to facilitate cooperation, the ends of the branches of the U-shaped profile and the vertical portions are chamfered.

As illustrated by Figures 6a and 6b, the spacer 300 and the edges 220 and 230 of the blades are dimensioned such that the width of the assembly made at the level of the spacer 300 between the spacer and the two longitudinal edges 220 and 230 between which it is inserted, is greater than the spacing of the vertical edges 111a and 112a defining the opening 120a of the rebate 110a. Thus, when a blade 200 is slid between the posts to position itself above another blade 200 equipped with spacers 300 already positioned, the vertical translation movement according to the arrow F1 allows the male and female shapes to cooperate. Their cooperation constitutes an addition of dimensions whose sum is greater than the dimension separating the vertical edges 111a and 112a of the rebate. Thus, the assembly of the second edge on the spacer 300 creates a horizontal constraint according to the arrows F2 on either side of the assembly, a constraint ensuring the retention of the slats in the posts.

As illustrated by the , to optimize the fixing and the rigidity of the apron formed by the blades 200, the fence comprises a bracket 400 with a vertical projection 410 and which is fixed between the posts on the support S on which the posts are fixed. As illustrated, the lower longitudinal edge 220 of the first blade 200 engaged in the posts cooperates with the vertical projection 410.

In addition, the fence comprises at least one additional spacer 300 placed between the two ends of the blade 200 in the middle part in order to prevent the bending of these elongated elements and to increase the rigidity of the panel or apron formed by the blades.

As illustrated by Figures 8a and 8b, the vertical rebate 110a of the post 100a comprises a preformed bottom of a reception zone 130a whose width is defined so that an elongated spacer 500 can be fixed there to optimize the fixing of the last blade 200 of the apron. This reception zone 130a is formed by two internal projections 131a and 132a whose spacing allows a tight fit with the elongated spacer 500.

The elongated spacer 500 is made from the same profile as the spacer 300, only its length changes.

In order to facilitate the fixing of the elongated spacer 500 between the two projections 131a and 132a. The spacer profile includes triangular projections 313 and 323 (cf. ) in the extension of the lower 310 and upper 320 sides at the base of the associated vertical projections. The angle of the triangle forms an edge which will be the only one in contact with the projections 131a and 132a.

As illustrated by Figures 5b and 5c, the post 100a includes an upright 140a and a fixing base 150a associated with its lower end (configuration taken by the different posts illustrated in the figures). When necessary, for example when the fence is subjected to strong stresses due to wind, an additional vertical profile 160a can be associated with the upright 140a. To do this, the profile of the upright 140a of the post 100a is preformed vertically with a groove 141a. This groove adopts a profile offering male and/or female shapes with which the female and/or male shapes offered by the additional vertical profile 160a cooperate for reinforcement purposes.

We understand that the closure which has just been described and represented above was done with a view to disclosure rather than limitation. Of course, various adjustments, modifications and improvements could be made to the examples above, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (11)

Fence (C) comprising posts (100a, 100b), slats (200) and spacers (300);
said posts (100a and 100b) being preformed profiled elements with at least one vertical rebate (110a), the rebate (110a) having an opening (120a) defined by two vertical edges (111a, 112a) of profiles,
the blades (200) being elongated elements with two lateral ends and comprising a lower longitudinal edge (220) and an upper longitudinal edge (230), the blades (200) sliding between two posts,
the lateral ends of the blades being positioned in the rebate (110a) of the posts, the thickness of the blades (200) allowing them to slide between the vertical edges (111a, 112a) of the opening (120a) of the rebate (110a),
a spacer (300) inserted between each end of the blades (200),
CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT
the spacer (300) has a lower surface and an upper surface and is preformed:
of male and/or female shapes on its upper surface for fixing by pinching on the lower longitudinal edge (220) of the blade (200) arranged above the spacer (300) and
of male and/or female shapes on its lower surface for fixing by pinching on the upper longitudinal edge (230) of the blade (200) arranged below the spacer (300), AND BY THE FACT THAT the spacer (300) and the edges (220, 230) of the blades (200) are dimensioned such that the width of the assembly carried out around the spacer (300), between the spacer (300) and the two longitudinal edges ( 220, 230) between which it is interposed, is greater than the spacing of the vertical edges (111a, 112a) defining the opening (120a) of the rebate (110) so as to create a horizontal constraint on said vertical edges ( 110a, 112a). Fence (C) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the male/female shapes which cooperate between the blade (200) and the spacer (300) are oriented vertically so that the vertical translation movement during sliding of the blade (200) ensures the cooperation of the lower longitudinal edge (220) with the spacer (300) and causes the creation of the horizontal stress. Fence (C) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT it comprises at least one additional spacer (300) placed between the two ends of the blade (200). Fence (C) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the vertical rebate (110a) of the posts (100a) comprises a preformed bottom of a reception zone (130a) whose width is defined so that a spacer elongated (500) can be attached to it for fixing the last blade engaged in the posts (100a, 100b). Fence (C) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT it comprises a profile (400) with a vertical projection (410) which is fixed between the posts (100a, 100b) on the support (S) on which are fixed the posts (100a, 100b) and with which the lower longitudinal edge (220) of the first blade engaged in the posts (100a, 100b) cooperates. Fence (C) according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the blades (200) are non-tubular and have upper (230) and lower (220) longitudinal edges offset so as to present an inclined median surface (240). Fence (C) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the spacer (300) is a profiled element of quadrilateral section whose lower side (310) is preformed with a horizontal extension less than the the distal end of which projects upwards a vertical portion (312),
the upper side (320) of which is preformed with an upper horizontal extension (321) in the opposite direction to the lower horizontal extension (311) and at the distal end of which a vertical portion (322) projects downwards. Fence (C) according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the lower (220) and upper (230) longitudinal edges of the blades (200) adopt a U-shaped profile into which the vertical portions (312, 322) of the spacer (300) during assembly. Fence (C) according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT said spacers (300) are inserted between the lateral ends and are positioned in the rabbets (110a) of the posts (100a). Fence (C) according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT said reception zone (130a) accommodates slats of different profiles. Fence (C) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT at least one post (100a) includes an upright (140a) and a fixing base (150a) associated with its lower end, a profile additional vertical (160a) coming to be associated with said upright (140a), said upright (140a) being preformed vertically on its height of male and/or female shapes (141a) with which the additional vertical profile (160a) cooperates for purposes of reinforcement.