NL2013119A

NL2013119A - Spacing plate.

Info

Publication number: NL2013119A
Application number: NL2013119A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Janssen Bob
Original assignee: Heering Kunststof Profielen B V
Priority date: 2014-07-03
Filing date: 2014-07-03
Publication date: 2016-03-30
Also published as: EP2963223A1; NL2013119B1

Description

Spacing plate

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The inventicn relates tc a spacing plate.

In the state cf the art different types cf spacing plates are used.

The current applicant, fcr instance, prcduces a spacing plate that is marketed under the name "milli Max®". These spacing plates can be used to fill up spacing between parts in a building. Usually, parts are mounted or fixed together using fasteners. The milli max® have a slot that can be fitted around a stem of a fastener such that the spacing plate stays in place. The milli max® can for instance be used to fill up spacing between a framework and a window frame. These parts can be attached together using a fastening screw, and the spacing plate is fitted and placed over the fastening screw.

Many modifications are suggested on spacing plates. Some of these improvements relate to retaining the fastening plate on a fastener screw. Examples of possible modifications are shown for example in US4558548 and GB2255999. GB2255999, published in 1992, for instance comprises an elongated slot for receiving the fastener screw. The elongated slot is closed at both ends, and the elongated slot is connected to a side entry slot which is open at the end remote from the connection to the elongated slot. Formations may be provided to resist passage of the fastening screw out from the elongated slot. To that end, for instance a pair of barbs may be provided that project into the side entry slot at an angle of approximately 45 degrees.

There is room for improvement of the spacing plate that has been known per se for a long time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved spacing plate, in particular for filling spaces in building constructions.

It is a further or additional object of the invention to provide a spacing plate that is easier to use.

For that purpose the invention provides a spacing plate comprising a perimeter, an opening, and a slot providing access to said opening, said slot having an entrance end at said perimeter, an exit end communicating with said opening, and a non-return means in said slot, wherein said non-return means comprises a resilient blocking arm extending in said slot, said blocking arm at its end provided with a blocking extension.

The spacing plate allows easy application, and remains attached om a shank after placement.

In this description, the word spacing plate is used. In the art, such an element is also known as 'shim'.

Often, spacing plates are provided in different thicknesses. Usually, a set is provided that has spacing plates of different thicknesses that may be combined to fill a space. These spacing plates are often produced from plastic. Often, spacing plates are injection moulded. In particular, a spacing plate is injection moulded in one piece. Often, a spacing is made from polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). A spacing plate may be used to surround a shank of, for instance, a fastener, like a nail, a bolt, a screw, or any other suitable fastening element.

In an embodiment, the opening has an opening perimeter, said spacing plate further comprising a said blocking arm at each side of said slot, providing opposite blocking arms, said blocking arms together in unbiased state blocking access to said opening in a blocking position. In an embodiment, said blocking extension comprising blocking surfaces which with said blocking arms in said blocking position substantially block said exit end of said slot and defining at least part of said opening perimeter. The two blocking arms effectively provide blocking.

In an embodiment, the opening substantially is a round hole, defining said opening perimeter as substantially a circle.

In an embodiment, the blocking arm extends substantially from said spacing plate perimeter towards the opening and into the slot.

In an embodiment, the spacing plate further comprises a blocking arm receiving recess, in particular at the back surface of the spacing plate, for receiving a blocking arm in a biased, freeing position in which is frees passage to said opening. This allows easy flexing and mounting. In an embodiment, a surface of said blocking arm abuts a surface of the recess, and a rear surface of the blocking arm is in a plane with the rear surface of rear plane of the spacing plate. Thus, secure positioning is provided.

In an embodiment, the opening and said slot define two legs, wherein said legs end in a wedge portion. In an embodiment, said wedge portion tapers from a line at a distance from a centre line of said spacing plate towards the perimeter of the spacing plate line. In an embodiment, said wedge portions having substantially a thinnest end at said spacing plate perimeter. In a further embodiment, said blocking arm having an end at or near said substantially thinnest end. This allows easy mounting even at difficult places.

The invention further relates to a method for filling a slit or space between building elements, said method comprising using the spacing plate of any one of the preceding claims, and placing said spacing plate over a shank, in particular a shank of a fastener, like a screw, a nail, a bolt, and the like.

The invention further relates to the use of the current spacing plate, for instance in a building. More in particular, the use relates to use in a process like placing a window.

It will be clear that the various aspects mentioned in this patent application can be combined and each individually are eligible for a divisional patent application. The term “substantially” herein, like in “substantially consists”, will be understood by and clear to a person skilled in the art. The term “substantially” may also include embodiments with “entirely”, “completely”, “all”, etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective substantially may also be removed. Where applicable, the term “substantially” may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%. The term “comprise” includes also embodiments wherein the term “comprises” means “consists of”.

The term "functionally", when used for instance in "functionally coupled" or "functionally direct communication", will be understood by and clear to a person skilled in the art. The term “substantially” may also include embodiments with “entirely”, “completely”, “all”, etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective substantially may also be removed.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

The devices or apparatus herein are amongst others described during operation. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to methods of operation or devices in operation.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

In the device or apparatus claims enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

The invention further applies to an apparatus or device comprising one or more of the characterising features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings. The invention further pertains to a method or process comprising one or more of the characterising features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined in order to provide additional advantages. Furthermore, some of the features can form the basis for one or more divisional applications.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the attached figures an embodiment of a spacing plate according to the invention is shown in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view from above;

Figure 2 shows a view in perspective of the spacing plate of figure 1, looking at the back surface;

Figure 3 shows a view of the spacing plate of figures 1 and 2 from below, with blocking arms at different positions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows a perspective view from above of a spacing plate 1, figure 2 shows a perspective view from the opposite, rear surface, and figure 3 shows a view of the spacing plate from below, looking onto the rear surface.

The spacing plate 1 is usually injection moulded in one piece in an injection moulding process. The spacing plate has a thickness d and can be provided in different thicknesses d. Usually, a set of spacing plates 1 of different thicknesses is provided.

Spacing plate 1 further has a perimeter 2, has a body with an opening 3, and a slot 5 providing access to the opening 3. Slot 5 has an exit end communicating with the opening 3, and an entrance end at the perimeter (2). The slot 5 allows the spacing plate to be installed on for instance a shank (not shown) by sliding the slot 5 over the shank. At the exit end of the slot, when pushing the spacing plate over the shank, the shank ends into the opening 3. Here, the width of the exit end of the slot 5 is a little smaller than the maximum width of the opening. In that way, of the spacing plate is fitted over a shank that has about the diameter of width of opening 3, this will provide a snap fit. Here, the opening 3 is circular or substantially circular, and the exit end of slot 5 is provided a small distance after the centre line of the largest diameter of the opening 3. The opening 3 here is symmetrical, and the line of symmetry runs radially or substantially radially with respect to opening 3. The exit end of slot 5 is thus a little before a centre of the opening 3. Thus, the width of the exit end of slot 5 is a little smaller than the diameter of opening 3. The opening may also have a different shape, for instance elongated. In such an embodiment, the spacing plates may be described as having two legs, or being U-shaped.

The perimeter 2 can be imaginary continued at the entrance end of slot 5. Here, the spacing plate is substantially round or circular. Thus, the perimeter in this embodiment, when continued at the entrance end of slot 5, is here a circle. Other shapes of the perimeter are also possible, like square, rectangular, elliptic, a polygon, horseshoe-shaped, and the like.

The spacing plate 1 has a rear surface 10, visible in figures 2 and 3, and a top surface 11. In order to save material, the top surface is provided with a material-saving recess 9 and the rear surface 10 is provided with a materialsaving front surface 11. Here, the rear surface 10 provides a substantially flat abutment plane. The top surface 11 provides a substantially flat abutment plane up to a defined line that is away from the centre of the spacing plate. Beyond that line, the top surface here runs shallow towards the perimeter 2, providing a wedge portion to the spacing plate 1.

In the current embodiment, the opening 3 and slot 5 define two opposite legs. The wedge portion is provided at the end of the two legs, thus here in fact defining two wedge portions 4, 4'. These two wedge portions 4, 4' together define one wedge portion. Thus, an end of the spacing plate 1 defines a keg portion.

The spacing plate 1 has a non-return means, in this embodiment in the slot 5. This prevents the spacing plate 1 to get detached from a shank after placement.

Here, the non-return means comprises a blocking arm 6, 6'. Here, in fact, two bucking arms 6, 6' are provided. These blocking arms 6, 6' are resilient, in particular resilient in the plane of the spacing plate 1 and the opening 3. A blocking arm 6, 6' can thus move between a blocking position, shown for instance in figure 1, to a freeing position. This last position is shown in figure 3 in the solid lines. In fact, in figure 3 an example is shown where the blocking arms move from the blocking position to free position. In the blocking position, a blocking arm 6, 6' is unbiased. A blocking arm 6, 6' is to be urged away to allow for instance a shank to pass through slot 5 and to get into opening 3.

In the embodiment of figures 1-3, there are two opposite blocking arms 6, 6' provided. These blocking arms 6, 6' are here symmetrically with respect to a line of symmetry of slot 5. A blocking arm 6, 6' is at one end attached near the entrance end of slot 5. The design allows a blocking arm 6, 6' to flex from the closed position to the freeing position. Here, blocking arm 6, 6' has an end attached at or near perimeter 2. In this embodiment, a blocking arm 6, 6' extends (in its unbiased state, in its blocking position, at an angle of about 40-50 degrees with respect to a centre line of the slot 5. In this embodiment, the centre line of the slot 5 substantially is on the centre of opening 3.

The blocking arm 6, 6' has a rear surface. Here, the rear surface of a blocking arm 6, 6, is in plane, or substantially in plane, with the rear surface of rear surface plane of the spacing plate 1. This can be seem in figure 2. A blocking arm 6, 6' is provided with a blocking extension 8, 8'. The blocking extension 8, 8' extends in lateral direction from a blocking arm 6, 6'. The blocking extension 8, 8' in fact widens the blocking arm 6, 6' at an end of blocking arm 6, 6'. In particular, it widens an opening exit end blocking arm end of the blocking arm 6, 6'. Blocking extension 8, 8' provides additional blockage of the opening 3. Here, the blocking extension 8, 8' extends in a lateral direction from a blocking arm 6, 6'. In order to allow the blocking arms 6, 6' to close the opening as much as possible at their ends, the blocking extensions 8, 8' here extend in lateral direction away from opening 3. The blocking extension 8, 8' may also be referred to in this embodiment as a blocking foot 8, 8'.

The opening 3 has a perimeter. Blocking extension 8, 8' comprises a blocking surface 12, 12', directed towards opening 3. Here, the blocking surface 12, 12' of blocking extension 8, 8' partly continues the perimeter of opening 3. In particular, blocking surface 12, 12' is provided at of near the exit end of slot 5. In the embodiment of figures 1-3, there are opposite blocking arms 6, 6' provided. Each blocking arm 6, 6' has a blocking extension 8, 8'. The blocking extensions 8, 8' extend in opposite direction. Here, the blocking surfaces 12, 12' of the blocking extensions 8, 8' substantially continue the perimeter of the opening 3 at or near the exit end of slot 5. Thus, when a shank is in opening 3, it is more securely retained in opening 3.

The spacing plate 1 is further provided with a blocking arm receiving recess 7, 7'. The blocking arm receiving recess 7, 7' is adjacent opening 3. The recess 7, 7' is provided to at least partially receive a blocking arm 6, 6' when it is in its freeing position. In figure 3, the blocking arm in solid lines shows a blocking arm 6, 6' in the freeing position where part of the blocking arm 6, 6' is received in the recess 7, 7'. In fact, the recess 7, 7' is here provided to receive the blocking extension. Here, the recess 7, 7' allows the blocking arm 6, 6' to flex away to such an extend that the blocking arm is substantially parallel to a radius of opening 3. It is here parallel to and provides an opening width that is substantially straight. Here, with the two opposite blocking arms 6, 6', the recess 7, 7' allows the blocking arms 6, 6' to flex to a position where the blocking arms 6, 6' are substantially parallel. Thus, they provide and define a straight channel into opening 3. The blocking arms 6, 6' flex to such an extend away from slot 5 to provide a channel width that is substantially equal to or larger than the width of the exit end of opening 3. Here, slot 5 tapes from the perimeter of the spacing plate 1 towards the opening 3.

In this embodiment, the recess 7, 7' is provided in the rear surface 10 of spacing plate 1. The depth of the recess 7, 7' and the thickness of the blocking arm 6, 6' is adapted that when the blocking arm 6, 6' rests on the bottom of the recess 7, 7', the rear surface of blocking arm 6, 6' is in plane with the further rear surface or rear abutment plane of spacing plate 1. Thus, the spacing plate 1 provides a solid and well-defined, substantially planar rear abutment plane. Large part of the front surface 11 of the spacing plate 1 provides a front abutment plane. Here, the front abutment plane and the rear abutment plane are substantially parallel. Their distance defines the spacing plate thickness d. The wedge portion facilitated placement in narrow slits and spaces.

The recess 7, 7' is substantially triangular, to be able to easily take up a blocking arm 6, 6' with its blocking extension 8, 8'.

The blocking arms 6, 6' and the recess 7, 7' allow a spacing plate 1 to be removed from a shank using a tool having two parallel arms that flex the blocking arms 6, 6' to their freeing positions. Thus, easy installation and easy removal if needed can be facilitated. Furthermore, the retaining feature secures the spacing plate 1 after it is installed, preventing it from working itself loose or in other ways displacing from the construction.

It will be clear that the above description is included to illustrate the working of preferred embodiments, and not to limit the scope of the invention. Starting from the above explanation many variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention will be evident to an expert.

Part list 1 spacing plate or shim 2 spacing plate perimeter 3 opening 4, 4' keg or wedge portion 5 passage 6, 6' blocking arm 7, 7' blocking arm receiving recess 8, 8' blocking extension 9, 9' material saving recess 10 rear surface/rear plane 11 front surface/front plane 12, 12' blocking surface 13 perimeter of the opening d spacing plate thickness

Claims

A filler plate A (1) with a circumference (2), an opening (3), and a slot (5) which gives access to the opening, the slot provided with an access end at the circumference (2), communicating an output end with the opening, a one-way means in the slot (5), the one-way means comprising a resilient blocking arm (6, 6 ') extending into the slot, and the blocking arm having a blocking protruding part (8, 8') at its end .

The filler plate (1) according to claim 1, wherein the opening (3) has an opening circumference (13), the filler plate (1) further comprising such a locking arm (6, 6 ') on each side of the slot (5) , which provide opposite blocking arms (6, 6 '), wherein the blocking arms (6, 6') together block access to the opening (3) in a blocking position in a neutral position, in particular the blocking projections (8, 8 ') blocking surfaces (12, 12 '), with the blocking arms in the blocking position substantially blocking the exit end of the slot (5) and defining at least a portion of the opening circumference (13).

The filler plate (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening (3) is substantially a round hole, which defines the opening circumference (13) as substantially a circle.

The filler plate (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blocking arm (6, 6 ') extends substantially from the filler plate circumference (2) to the opening (3) and into the slot (5).

The shim plate (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a recess (7, 7 ') receiving the blocking arm, in particular at the rear surface (10) of the shim plate (1), for receiving a blocking arm ( 6, 6 ') in a tense, releasing position in which it leaves the passage to the opening (3) free.

The filler plate (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening (3) and the slot (5) define two legs, the legs ending in a wedge part (4, 4 '), in particular the wedge part ( 4, 4 ') from a line spaced from a center line of the shim plate tapering to the circumference (2) of the shim plate (1), in particular the wedge parts (4, 4') have a substantially thinnest part at the filling plate circumference (2), more in particular the blocking arm has an end at or near the substantially thinnest end.

A method for filling a gap or space between building elements, the method comprising the use of the filler plate according to any one of the preceding claims, and placing the filler plate over a handle, in particular a handle of a fastening means, such as a screw, a nail, a bolt, and the like

Use of a filler plate according to one of the preceding claims in a building.