WO1996003556A1

WO1996003556A1 - Articulated profile sections for supporting and tensioning a suspended ceiling or double wall

Info

Publication number: WO1996003556A1
Application number: PCT/FR1995/000980
Authority: WO
Inventors: Guy Hosteing
Original assignee: Guy Hosteing
Priority date: 1994-07-22
Filing date: 1995-07-20
Publication date: 1996-02-08
Also published as: FR2722814B1; FR2722814A1

Abstract

A device for supporting and tensioning a suspended ceiling or double wall consisting of a plastic sheet. The device comprises a combination of two profile sections (5-6) joined together via interlocking portions (7) to provide a removable corner assembly (1) in which one flange (5a) has a portion (4) designed to engage the edge (3) of the suspended ceiling, while the other flange (6b) comprises mounting (8), ventilating (9) and fastening (10) portions.

Description

ARTICULATED PROFILES TO SUPPORT AND TENSION A FALSE CEILING OR A FALSE WALL

The present invention relates to a device used to support and maintain in tension a false ceiling or a false wall made of a plastic sheet.

Generally the sheet of plastic material is stretched between two opposite edges that are substantially rectilinear, in particular between two walls to form a false ceiling. The plastic sheet is usually attached to a border that is both flexible and rigid, the cross section of which is in the form of a hook which engages on a shoulder produced on supports fixed directly to the walls or against the ceiling. . It is known that numerous profiles, generally made of extruded materials, have been used as supports comprising a shoulder on which the edge of the plastic sheet is gripped. The cross sections of these borders have a few variations in their construction so as to ensure their attachment function. The cooperation, of the hook formed by the border, and of the shoulder formed on the profile makes it possible to support and maintain tension in the false ceiling or the false wall. Furthermore, other profiles have been designed on a principle different from that of the attachment of the edge to a shoulder, in particular by clamping this edge in a cavity provided for this purpose within the profile. There are also many variants implementing this latter principle (SCHERRER patent - EP. 03.38.925). The cavity can also be arranged so as to avoid producing a hook-shaped border. Generally it is then necessary to use a device using two separate sections, one consisting of a cavity the other wedging the sheet of plastic or fabric in the cavity.

Mention may be made in this field of the SEASE patent (U.S.A. 4,788,806) using two profiles with asymmetrical wings, the wedging of the plastic or fabric sheet is obtained by embedding a profile in the other profile constituting the cavity.

A similar system is also recommended by the BERNARDY patent (FR.A.2.537.112). The implementation of two sections, one of which forms a cavity, the other coming to be embedded by tilting in the cavity to wedge the sheet of fabric, was the subject of the TOMBU patent (FR.A.2.228.123) .

However, whatever the attachment principle adopted, the installation and removal conditions remain uncomfortable despite some improvements made and improving these conditions, in particular through the use of spatulas adapted to the profiles used, (HOSTEING patent 2,691,193). The aesthetic problems linked to the use of different profiles, both in plastics and in light alloys, have been the subject of numerous adjustments or palliatives such as a shoulder providing a drop shadow which can serve as a picture rail (Patent BLICK FR. A.2.078.579) or compensation profile obscuring the attachment system of the border (RUHLMANN patent FR.A.2.624.167) or even the use of double profiles suspended from the ceiling forming intermediate supports (HOSTEING patent cited above). The use of extruded light alloy profiles facilitates their painting which allows on a purely decorative level to harmonize the colors of the plastic sheet and the profile. However over time, for multiple reasons, questioning the decoration, painting the walls, and although the plastic sheet hardly deteriorates it may be necessary to change it, which a priori leads to replacement of the support profiles, the operation can then be expensive. Although it is not compulsory to ventilate the space between the ceiling and the false ceiling, it is preferable to provide it on the profile itself, in particular by making longitudinal ribs intended to separate the profile from its support so as to communication between room and space between ceiling and false ceiling (SCHERRER patent FR.A.2. 75.093).

One of the drawbacks of this ventilation system, which is more particularly used on light alloy profiles, is that it cannot be easily transposed to plastic profiles. The rigidity of the metal profile makes it possible to fix this profile only by having fixing points every 30 to 40 cm, while for plastic profiles the distance between two fixings must be reduced to a few centimeters, which then makes difficult desirable ventilation.

Furthermore, it has become common to combine false ceilings or false walls with parts of the ceiling or walls made up of panels or boxes of different materials such as paneling, glass or different uses such as lighting. Adapting the profiles to these needs is rarely easy, which can hinder the extension of the installation of false ceilings or false walls. The present invention proposes to facilitate the various adaptations of the profiles to many users and to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above. The subject of the invention is precisely a device for supporting and maintaining in tension a false ceiling or a false wall consisting of a plastic sheet integral with a border forming a hook, said device substantially forms an angle iron of which a wing allows its fixing. on the ceiling or on the wall and the other wing of which has a structure intended for hanging the border. According to the invention, this device is formed by the combination of at least two sections, linked together by an interlocking, so as to constitute a removable angle iron, one wing of which has the structure intended for hanging the edge and the l 'other wing comprises means of assembly, ventilation, fixing.

Preferably the profiles linked together by the socket so as to constitute the removable angle iron consist of one of a heddle comprising the structure intended for the attachment of the edge and a part of the interlocking, the other of an angle whose small wing has the other part of the interlocking and whose large wing is provided with means of assembly, ventilation, fixing. According to an advantageous embodiment, the socket is formed on each of the profiles by a shoulder forming a groove of U-shaped cross section, open in the direction of the structure intended for the attachment of the edge for the beam, open in the opposite direction for the angle so that these shoulders ents fit into each other to form the removable angle.

According to another alternative embodiment, the socket is formed on each of the profiles by a shoulder forming a groove of cross section at C, open in the direction of the structure intended for the attachment of the edge for the beam, open in the opposite direction for the angle iron so that these shoulders snap into each other to form a removable angle iron. Preferably also the side of the shoulder of the heald forming an open groove in the direction of the structure intended for the attachment of the edge is connected to the wing of the heald by a core so as to form an inverted T with the wing which covers the wing of the angle iron to make it invisible Thus the device according to the invention consists of at least two profiles which nested one inside the other form an angle iron of which a wing bears against the wall or against the ceiling and the other wing of which is provided at its end with a structure intended for hanging the border. This angle is in fact carried out with an angle with asymmetrical wings, the large wing is pressed against the wall or the ceiling, the small wing comprises a part of the interlocking, the other part of this interlocking is carried out on a smooth extending the small wing of the angle iron provided at its end with the shoulder. The cross section of each of the parts of the socket is in the form of a U or in the form of C. The lateral clearance of the socket is limited in one direction by the sides of the U or C and in the 'other direction by the perpendicular part of the rail so that the U-shaped interlocking is in the form of "Greek", the C-shaped interlocking being in a neighboring form with rounded sides. The U-shaped or C-shaped interlocking is done by tilting the arm after engaging the U or C-side so that the small wing of the angle iron is covered. This makes it easier to change the boom for whatever reason by keeping the angle iron with asymmetrical wings in place. Furthermore, the length of the stringer can be large enough to produce a box capable of being used for some different purpose, such as a luminaire support. According to a preferred embodiment, the large wing of the angle iron constituting the profile comprises assembly means produced on the internal face of this wing made up of grooves serving as slides to a spacer intended to keep the various sections of the profile assembled end to end or forming an angle between them. Advantageously, this large wing of the angle iron constituting the profile comprises fixing means produced on its internal face making it possible to hold the device against a ceiling or a wall or to suspend it from the ceiling.

Advantageously, the large wing of the angle iron constituting the profile comprises assembly means making it possible to link two similar profiles resting on the external face of their respective wings so as to form an inverted T-shaped device from which the vertical core can be suspended. in the ceiling to form a horizontal crosspiece supporting and maintaining in tension a false ceiling. Preferably, the large wing of the angle iron constituting the profile is common to two similar symmetrical profiles so as to form an inverted T whose common vertical core can be suspended from the ceiling to form a horizontal crosspiece supporting and maintaining a false ceiling in tension. The large wing of the angle iron thus comprises means for assembling both different sections of the same section as sections linked together to produce an inverted T-shaped device used to form a cross-member. In the latter case, the connection means can be presented in different ways, the aim being to obtain an inverted T consisting of the assembly of two sections in the form of angle iron. According to the invention the assembly of the two wings to form the soul of the inverted T can quite simply be replaced by a double inverted T profile with symmetrical internal faces. Whatever the solution envisaged, the end of the core of the inverted T includes means allowing its suspension from the ceiling such as chains with hooks introduced in eyelets or chains with legs sliding on shoulders. According to another preferred embodiment, the large wing of the angle iron constituting the profile has on its external face ventilation means produced by means of shims interposed between this face and the support of the device such as wall, ceiling or similar profile, said wedges being kept spaced apart and linked by a beam resting on the end of the large wing of the angle iron. According to an alternative embodiment, the structure intended for hooking the edge comprises a shoulder forming a U-shaped groove of cross section open towards the wing of the angle iron and a recess forming a stop intended to block the lower end of the hook. of the border when tensioning the false ceiling or false wall.

Thus according to the invention, the ventilation of the space between ceiling and false ceiling can be obtained by arranging shims between the external face of the profile and its support, consisting either of a wall or ceiling or even of another profile. . These wedges are linked together by a spar allowing them to be kept spaced apart and, bearing on the end of the large wing of the angle iron, to support them during the profile fixing operation. against wall, ceiling, other profile.

The installation of these wedges, spreading the profile from its support ensures ventilation and facilitates the fixing of the profile on its support whether the latter is made of light alloys or plastics such as P.V.C.

In addition, among the structures that can be used to hang the border of the false ceiling or false wall, the use of a shoulder combined with a recess made on the interlocking form stops for the hook of the border, making it possible to overcome notches on shoulder or spatulas specially adapted to the shoulder.

Other characteristics and advantages will emerge more clearly from the description which follows of various embodiments of the present invention given by way of nonlimiting examples and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

- Figures 1 are schematic sectional views of the profiles according to the invention. - Figures 2 are schematic views of an alternative embodiment.

- Figure 3 is a perspective view of the ventilation system.

- Figures, 5 and 6 are simplified schematic sections of examples of use of the device according to the invention.

- Figure 7 is a simplified schematic section of the structure for hanging the border.

There is shown in Figures 1 in schematic sections the device according to the invention used to suspend a false ceiling 2 hung by a border 3 on a structure 4. This device consists of a removable angle iron 1 produced using two sections 5 and 6 comprising an interlocking 7. The section 6 is an angle bar in extruded light alloy with asymmetrical wings, the large wing 6b of which is backed against a wall fixed by screws 10 and the small wing 6a of which has at its end a part of the socket 7 of the angle bar 1. The profile 5 is a smooth extruded light alloy comprising at one end the other part of the socket 7 of the angle iron 1 and at the opposite end a structure 4 allowing the attachment of the edge 3 of the false ceiling 2. In this figure the structure 4 is a shoulder. Any other attachment system by bracing or wedging ensuring the same function, can be used according to the invention.

The fitting 7 of these two sections is shown more precisely in FIG. 1B. The small wing 6a of the angle iron 6 has a structure 6acd of cross section in the shape of a U open towards the large wing 6b. The horizontal wing 5a of the heald 5 has a section substantially in the form of a Greek, the vertical side 5b of which is connected on the one hand to the horizontal wing 5a and on the other hand to a structure 5ecd of straight section in the shape of a U open to the side 5b. These two shoulders 6acd and 5ecd fit into each other so that the rail 5 and the angle 6 forming the wings of the angle 1 allow to maintain the false ceiling 2. This false ceiling keeps in tension the socket 7 so that the horizontal sides 5d and 6d of the shoulders are supported respectively on the vertical sides 6c and 5c.

In Figures 2 there is shown in schematic sections an alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention. As in the previous Figures 1, the removable angle 1 consists of the heald 5 and the angle 6. Interposed between the wall and the external face of the vertical wing 6b of angle 6 ventilation means 9 which will be specified in the following figure 3.

This wing 6b comprises assembly means 8 of different sections of this angle iron 6. These assembly means 8 consist of ribs 8a forming slides to a spacer 8b. This spacer makes it possible to link together the different sections of the angle iron in particular during the assembly at angles. The fixing means 10 are also screws passing through the shims constituting the ventilation means. The fitting means 7 different from those described above. They consist of shoulders of cross section in the form of C open in opposite directions. The horizontal wing 6a has the shoulder 6cd open towards the wing 6b. The vertical wing 5b has the shoulder 5cde open towards the vertical side 5b. This side 5b is connected to the horizontal wing 5a of the heald 5. The wing 5a is extended in the direction of the wall so as to cover the small wing 6a of the angle iron 6. The fitting of the heald 5 on the angle iron 6 is carried out after fixing the latter against the wall. To do this, the stringer 5 is used in an upright position so that the shoulders can engage. After engagement the beam is brought back to a horizontal position, the small wing 6a of the angle iron is then covered by the wing 5a of the beam. The device is then ready to support the false ceiling 2, the edge 3 of which will be attached to the structure 4 in this case in this drawing consisting of a single shoulder. It is thus possible to carry out successive changes of heddles 5 while retaining the angle 6 to harmonize the nuances of the smooth assembly 5 - false ceiling 2. Although not shown in FIG. 1A, the covering of the wing 6a of the angle 6 by the wing 5a of the heald 5 is also possible with the fitting 7 described above.

Figure 3 shows a partial perspective view of the ventilation means 9 of the device according to the invention.

These means consist of shims 9a made of plastic materials such as PVC connected together by a spar 9b making it possible to keep these shims apart and to keep them in position when the angle iron 6 is fixed against the wall. These shims are essential when the profiles used are made of plastic materials requiring a large number of fastenings against the wall.

Figures 4 and 5 show in simplified schematic sectional views the implementation of devices according to the invention. Two devices are coupled to form a Inverted T used in the center of a room to support and maintain a false ceiling made in at least two parts. In Figure 4 the angles 6 have shoulders made at their ends allowing using healds to keep them linked. The upper rail 11 threaded at the end of the angles serves for the suspension of the false ceiling, the lower rail 12 introduced in the same way keeps the two angles tight against each other. The ventilation means are then interposed between the external walls of the angles 6, as shown in Figure 3. In Figure 5 the angles 6 form an inverted T suspended from the ceiling for example by a chain 13. Figure 6 shows a particular application of the device according to the invention shown in simplified schematic view in section. The horizontal wing 5a of the heald 5 is extended so as to be able to serve as a support for spots or any other decorative motif. Although shown in a single part, this wing 5a could be made up of three sections, a section comprising the interlocking part 7, a section comprising the structure 4 allowing the false ceiling 2 to be hooked and, between the two sections and linked to these sections, another section constituting a decorative pattern. This variant would fall within the scope of the invention. In this FIG. 6, the angles 6 include ventilation wedges and are fixed to one another by means such as "Pop" type rivets which are easy to install. The device is suspended from the ceiling by means of a chain 13 and a heddle 11 threaded over the shoulders made at the upper end of the angles 6.

As in the HOSTEING patent cited above, different geometric figures can be obtained using these devices. FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a structure intended for hanging the edge of the false ceiling or of the false wall 2, the shoulder 4a is combined with the recess 4b so as to form a stop for the hook of the border as soon as the false ceiling or false wall is tensioned. The stall is carried out using an ordinary spatula sliding the hook on the ramp of the socket.

Indeed, in addition to the use of flat boxes illustrated in the previous figure 6, it is possible to make domes by bending the angles 6 along the plane of the vertical wing 6b. Joined and curved according to the plane of the horizontal wings 5a, they allow plane curves to be produced. These devices, made either of light alloys or of plastic or mixed materials, are likely to facilitate the harmonization of colors between profiles and false ceilings or false walls, particularly in the context of repair and restoration operations.

The device according to the invention responds well to the goals set.

Claims

EVENDICATIONS

1). Device for supporting and keeping in tension a false ceiling (2) or a false wall consisting of a plastic sheet integral with a border (3) forming a hook, said device substantially forms an angle (1) of which a wing allows its fixing to the ceiling or to the wall and the other wing of which has a structure (4) intended for hanging the border, said device (1) is characterized in that it is formed by the combination of at least two profiles (5-6), linked together by a socket (7), so as to constitute a removable angle iron (1), one wing (5a) of which has the structure (4) intended for the attachment of the edge (3) and the other wing (6b) of which comprises assembly (8), ventilation (9), and fixing (10) means.

2). Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the profiles (5-6) linked together by the socket (7) so as to constitute the removable angle iron (1) consist of one of a heddle (5) comprising the structure (4) intended for the attachment of the edge (3) and part of the socket (7), the other of an angle (6) whose small wing (6a) comprises the other part of the 'fitting (7) and the large wing (6b) is provided with assembly means (8), ventilation (9), fixing (10). 3). Device according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the socket (7) is formed on each of the profiles by a shoulder forming a groove of U-shaped cross section, open towards the structure (4) intended for the edge hooking (3) for the boom (5), open in the opposite direction for the angle iron (6) so that these shoulders fit into one another to form the removable angle iron (1).

4). Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the socket (7) is formed on each of the profiles by a shoulder forming a groove of cross section in C, open in the direction of the structure (4) intended for the attachment of the edge (3) for the heald (5), open in the opposite direction for the angle (6) so that these shoulders engage one in the other to form a removable angle (1).

5). Device according to any one of claims 3 or 4 characterized in that one side (5e) of the shoulder of the heddle (5) forming an open groove in the direction of the structure (4) intended for the attachment of the edge (3 ) is connected to the wing (5a) of the heddle (5) by a core (5b) so as to form an inverted T with the wing (5a) which covers the wing (6a) of the angle iron (6) to make it invisible. 6). Device according to claim 2 characterized in that the large wing (6b) of the angle iron constituting the profile (6) comprises assembly means (8) produced on the internal face of this wing consisting of grooves (8a) serving as slides to a spacer (8b) intended to keep the various sections of profile (6) assembled end to end or forming an angle between them. 7). Device according to any one of claims 2 or 6 characterized in that the large wing (6b) of the angle iron constituting the profile (6) comprises fixing means (10) made on its internal face allowing the device to be held against a ceiling or against a wall. 8). Device according to claim 2 characterized in that the large wing (6b) of the angle iron constituting the profile (6) comprises assembly means (12-14) making it possible to link two similar profiles resting on the external face of their respective wings so as to form an inverted T-shaped device whose vertical core (6b) can be suspended from the ceiling to form a horizontal crosspiece supporting and maintaining in tension a false ceiling.

9). Device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the large wing (6b) of the angle iron constituting the profile (6) is common to two similar symmetrical profiles so as to form an inverted T whose common vertical core (6b) can be suspended in the ceiling to form a horizontal crosspiece supporting and maintaining in tension a false ceiling. 10). Device according to any one of claims 7 or 8 characterized in that the large wing (6b) of the angle iron constituting the profile (6) has on its external face ventilation means (9) produced using shims (9a ) interposed between this face and the support of the device such as wall, ceiling or similar profile, said shims being kept spaced apart and linked by a spar (9b) resting on the end of the large wing of the angle iron.

11). Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the structure (4) intended for the attachment of the edge (3) has a shoulder (4a) forming a U-shaped cross-section groove open in the direction of the wing (6b) of the angle iron and a recess forming a stop intended to block the lower end of the edge hook (3) when tensioning the false ceiling or false wall.