WO2008000747A1

WO2008000747A1 - Supporting frame for covering elements and clamping element used in the supporting frame

Info

Publication number: WO2008000747A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/056380
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea Tessadori
Original assignee: Avantgarde Srl
Priority date: 2006-06-28
Filing date: 2007-06-26
Publication date: 2008-01-03
Also published as: ITUD20060168A1

Abstract

Supporting frame for covering elements comprising a warp profile provided with rapid clamping elements (16) each of which comprises two fin means (20) located opposite each other. At least one of these fin means (20) is made of two appendix (20a, 20b) connected on one side so as to define a substantially U-shaped, C-shaped or V-shaped cross-section able to be inserted inside mating grooves provided on said covering elements in order to clamp said covering elements through elastic interference onto said warp profile.

Description

"SUPPORTING FRAME FOR COVERING ELEMENTS AND CLAMPING

ELEMENT USED IN THE SUPPORTING FRAME "

* * * * *

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns a supporting frame for covering elements of the modular type, such as bricks, panels, plates, tiles or suchlike, used mainly in the building trade, both public and private, and also for urban furniture. In particular the present invention concerns a frame that allows to cover surfaces of structures, such as for example walls, ceilings, floors, pillars or columns, particularly but not exclusively for making ventilated walls, both for naval furnishing and/or the external and/or internal furnishing of commercial or private buildings.

The invention relates also to a clamping element used in said supporting frame to clamp and position the covering elements to the supporting frame. In the following description, as an example, we shall refer specifically to the application of the invention for supporting bricks, although this application is not to be considered limitative.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Supporting frames for covering elements are known, for example from the European patent application EP- A- 1.621.697 in the name of the present Applicant, which are versatile, simple and practical to use, and designed to create covering structures rapidly and at limited cost.

Said supporting frames have a plurality of rapid clamping elements, provided with fins that cooperate through interference with relative grooves provided along the edges of the covering elements, in order to be able to dispose the covering elements in a simple, rapid and guided manner with respect to the wall to be covered.

However, known rapid clamping elements are still made of metal in order to guarantee the necessary mechanical resistance to stresses. Moreover, the known clamping elements are bulky and expensive and not always able to guarantee a stable and solid retaining action on the relative covering elements.

In addition, the known clamping elements do not always allow a simple and quick procedure for the assembling of the covering elements on the supporting frame.

Another disadvantage of the known clamping elements is the inability to adapt themselves to different types of covering elements, especially to their different holes or grooves in which the clamping elements anchor themselves in order to clamp the covering elements to the supporting frame.

Making the clamping elements of metal entails various disadvantages, however, including a high thermal bridge between the structure and the covering elements, low elasticity with a consequent difficulty in absorbing the vibrations and in adapting to the different working tolerances of the covering elements to be supported.

Moreover, known clamping elements have fins with rigid sizes, substantially specific for different series of covering elements made of different materials, such as for example cotto, stone, wood, etc., limiting their versatility and universality of use.

Purpose of the present invention is to achieve an improved supporting frame which overcomes the disadvantages of the state of the art.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea. In accordance with said purpose, a supporting frame for covering elements according to the present invention comprises at least a warp profile, advantageously an upright, provided, mounted thereon, with rapid clamping elements able to cooperate with mating grooves provided on the covering elements, especially bricks or similar, in order to clamp the covering elements through interference, advantageously at least partly elastic, onto the warp profile. The rapid clamping elements are aligned along the warp profile with an interaxis substantially equivalent to one of the two positioning interaxes, for example the vertical interaxis, of the covering elements. The rapid clamping elements are disposed at the front of the warp profiles and comprise at least two fin means, at least one of which is at least partly elastic, opposite each other, and able to cooperate with mating grooves of respective covering elements, in order to clamp through interference the covering elements on the warp profile.

When only one fin is elastic and the other is not elastic, the fact that the elastic fin is either the lower or the upper, in its active position as explained in the following, between the two fins depends fundamentally on the sequence of assembling of the covering elements. According to a variant, each rapid clamping element comprises four fin means, disposed radially at 90° from each other, each of which is able to cooperate with a mating groove of a relative covering element.

In a preferential solution, each rapid clamping element is able to selectively assume at least a first position, or inactive position, in which the relative fin means is disposed outside the grooves of the covering elements, and a second position, or active position, rotated by 90° with respect to the first, in which at least a part of the fin means is inserted into the relative grooves.

Moreover, each rapid clamping element comprises in a single piece at least a central part, connected with the fin means, and a retaining arm, advantageously at least partly elastic, able to be inserted into a mating aperture of the warp profile, in order to move behind or inside the latter and, in cooperation with the central part, to be constrained thereon when the rapid clamping element is moved from the first to the second position.

According to a preferred feature of the present invention, each rapid clamping element is made completely of composite polymer material, such as for example a polyamide, like nylon®, reinforced with glass fiber, carbon fiber or other, so as to have good characteristics of lightness and insulation, substantially reducing the thermal bridge between the structure on which the frame according to the invention and the covering elements are applied. The composite structure of the polymer material with which the rapid clamping element is made allows to combine good characteristics of mechanical resistance to stress, and is able to support some tens of kilograms, and good characteristics of thermal seal, substantially eliminating the heat bridges. - A -

Moreover, the clamping element according to the invention, again thanks to the composite polymer material with which it is made, guarantees an effective acoustic insulation, absorbing possible vibrations and making the structure silent and partly sound proofing. Another advantage given by making the clamping element with composite polymer material is the good elasticity which allows to absorb the different constructional tolerances of the different types of covering material, also including hand-worked cotto, allowing it to be laid simultaneously.

In a preferential form of embodiment, the elastic fin mean comprises two appendices connected with each other on one side so as to form a substantially U- shaped, C-shaped or V-shaped cross section. Each appendix is elastically deformable independently with respect to the other and is able to be inserted, with interference, into the groove of a respective covering element.

In this way, it is possible to elastically deform the sizes of the elastic fin mean, in order to adapt them to the real sizes of the different series of covering elements, and particularly to the size of the groove of the relative covering element, thus rendering the clamping element of the supporting frame according to the present invention substantially universal.

According to a variant, in an intermediate zone between the two fin means, one or more seatings are made, able to allow the insertion of a common tool, such as for example a hexagonal spanner, a screwdriver or suchlike, so as to facilitate the operations of selective disposition of the rapid clamping element between the first and second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some preferential forms of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a supporting frame for covering elements according to the present invention; - fig. 2 is a lateral view, partly in section, of the supporting frame in fig. 1 ;

- fig. 3 shows an enlarged detail of the supporting frame in fig. 1 ;

- fig. 4 shows a clamping element of the supporting frame in fig. 1 , in a first insertion position; - fig. 5 shows the clamping element in fig. 4 in a second insertion position;

- fig. 6 shows a variant of the clamping element in fig. 4;

- fig. 7 shows a variant of fig. 1 wherein a different embodiment of the clamping element is disclosed; - fig. 8 shows a variant of fig. 2;

- fig. 9 shows an enlarged detail of fig. 7;

- fig. 10 shows the clamping element used in the figures 7 to 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERENTIAL FORMS OF

EMBODIMENT With reference to the attached drawings, the number 10 denotes generally a supporting frame according to the invention used to make structures with covering elements, in this case consisting of bricks 11.

The frame 10 is advantageously made of metal and comprises a plurality of uprights, or vertical warp profiles, 12, each of which is attached between two cross-pieces, or horizontal warp profiles, not shown in the drawings and able to be associated, in contact or at a distance, with a bearing structure 14, for example a wall.

In this case, the uprights 12 are disposed with an interaxis substantially equivalent to the horizontal positioning interaxis of the bricks 1 1. Each upright 12 has a substantially C-shaped section and is provided at the front with a plurality of eyelets 15, aligned in twos and disposed on two parallel and symmetrical rows with respect to the longitudinal axis of the upright 12. The eyelets 15 are disposed in a position corresponding to the grooves between the bricks 1 1, and their vertical interaxis is substantially equivalent to the interaxis of vertical positioning between the bricks 11.

With every eyelet 15 a clamping element 16 is associated, able to be rotated from a first position (fig. 4; see also the upper clamping elements in figs. 7 to 9), in which it does not interfere with the bricks 1 1, to a second position (fig. 5), in which it interferes with two relative bricks 11 , to determine the clamping thereof. Each eyelet 15, at the center, has two semicircular recesses 15a on the lower and upper edge, which allow a facilitated rotation of the clamping element 16 between the first position, in which it is inserted, and the second position, in which it is attached, to the upright 12. In correspondence with each eyelet 15, on the internal surface of the upright 12, four small protrusions 17 are also present, disposed in twos, parallel and opposite each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of the eyelet 15, the function of which will be explained hereafter. Each clamping element 16 is preferably, but not necessarily, completely made of composite polymer material, such as for example a polyamide, like nylon® or suchlike, reinforced with a fibrous material, such as glass fiber, carbon fiber or other type.

In this way, the clamping element 16 is made of insulating material so as to have a heat transmission coefficient lower than that of metal materials in general. In another embodiment, the clamping element 16 has a metallic core covered by a sheath in polymer material.

Each clamping element 16 comprises a rod 19, cylindrical in shape in the embodiment of figures 1 to 6, from one end of which two opposite fins 20 branch off; the clamping elements 16 also comprise a central plate 21 and a retaining arm 22, having substantially the same shape as that of the eyelet 15.

In the embodiment of figures 7-10 the rod 119 has two sides substantially flat in order to support, in use, the relative brick 11 (see fig. 8) which, when assembled, abuts and rests directly on the rod 119 itself. Moreover, in a position substantially intermediate on the flat side, a little crest 27 is provided, in order to avoid the lateral sliding of the bricks 11 when assembled and rested on the relative rods 19.

The fins 20, which are substantially orthogonal to the rod 19, are separated from each other by a slit 23 and each of them consists, in the embodiment of figures 1 to 6, of two elastic appendices 20a and 20b, of a thickness such as to allow an easy elastic deformation and a good structural resistance to working stresses.

The appendices 20a and 20b are connected with each other on one side, so as to define in this case a substantially U-shaped cross section. Each fin 20 is inserted elastically, in an assembly step, into a relative groove 26 provided longitudinally on the upper side and lower side of each of the bricks 11.

In particular, the appendix 20b comprises externally a studding 25 to create interference with the relative groove 26, and thus guarantee the solid connection between the brick 11 and the clamping element 16, and the flexion of the edge of the fin 20.

According to a variant, the appendix 20a is made with a greater thickness than the appendix 20b, to prevent the flexion thereof, so that the appendix 20b is the only part of the fin 20 to adapt to the relative grooves 26 of the bricks 11.

The fins 20 have a slight taper, obtained by their permanent deformation at the base attached to the rod 19. In practice the external end of each fin 20 is wider and thicker than the attachment segment with the rod 19, so as to be able to discharge the loads to a greater degree into the internal part of the grooves 26 of the bricks 11.

In the embodiment shown in figures 7-10, the clamping element 16 has only the fin 20 which, in use, is the lower fin, which is elastic and has the two appendices 20a and 20b, whereas the upper fin 120 is not elastic but has a solid shape. In this case, in fact, the mounting procedure of the bricks 11 is from below to the top and, when a brick 11 is placed in position, the clamping element is rotated for 90° and the appendices 20a and 20b of the elastic fin 20 are forcibly inserted in the groove 26 of the brick 11. Being elastic, the appendices 20a and 20b of the fin 20 released inside the groove 26 and holds the brick by interference. The next brick 11 , placed above, is positioned inserting its groove 26 in the upper fin 120 of the same clamping element 16, which is not elastic since the interference clamping is obtained with the elastic fin 20 of the clamping element 16 positioned above, the same way above disclosed.

In one assembly step, the retaining arm 22 is inserted into the eyelet 15, to move inside the upright 12, while the central plate 21, on the contrary, is of such a size that it cannot pass through the eyelet 15.

In this case too, for laying the bricks 11, each of them is disposed between two uprights 12, so as to be between four clamping elements 16 disposed in the first position, with the retaining arm 22 inserted into the eyelet 15 and the fins 30 aligned horizontally.

Subsequently, for example by inserting the end of a screwdriver inside the slit 23, each clamping element 16 is rotated by 90°, in this case in a clockwise direction so as to prevent the deformation of the fins 20, so as to assume the second position, so that the central plate 21 and the retaining arm 22 are disposed orthogonal to the eyelet 15. In particular, the ends of the retaining arm 22 cooperate with the respective protrusions 17 provided protruding from the side opposite the front plane of the upright 12, in order to consolidate the positioning of the clamping element 16 in its second position.

In the embodiment disclosed in fig. 9, in order to ensure that the rotation of each clamping element 16 is performed in the correct direction, a protrusion 28 is provided which prevents the rotation in the anticlockwise direction and at least warns the user that the rotation is being performed in the wrong direction. According to the variant shown in fig. 5, between the two fins 20, in correspondence with a median zone of the slit 23, a hexagonal seating 24 is made, to allow the insertion of a mating Allen spanner ® with which the clamping element 16 can be rotated from its first position to its second position.

The rotation between the two positions also determines a movement of the fins 20, which are disposed in vertical alignment, that is, substantially orthogonal to the respective eyelets 15, inserting the relative appendices 20a and 20b with interference into the grooves 26 of the relative bricks 11, so as to determine the clamping of the bricks 1 1 to the uprights 12.

In this step, the appendix 20a is deformed, on the one hand in order to increase the interference which determines the clamping of the bricks 11, and on the other hand in order to compensate possible differences in thickness of the grooves 26, or other imperfections of the bricks 11.

In this way, the bricks 11 are laid simply by positioning each brick 11 between two uprights 12, so that the same brick 1 1 is disposed between four clamping elements 16, and then by rotating the latter through 90° to take them from the first position to the second position.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the supporting frame 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

Claims

I . Supporting frame for covering elements (11), comprising at least a warp profile (12) provided with rapid clamping elements (16) each of which comprises at least two fin means (20) located opposite each other, characterized in that at least one of these fin means (20) is made of two appendices (20a, 20b) connected on one side so as to define a substantially U-shaped, C-shaped or V-shaped cross- section able to be inserted inside mating grooves (26) provided on said covering elements (11) in order to clamp said covering elements (1 1) through elastic interference onto said warp profile (12).

2. Supporting frame as in claim 1, characterized in that said rapid clamping element (16) is made completely of composite polymer material.

3. Supporting frame as in claim 2, characterized in that said composite polymer material is a polyamide reinforced with fibrous material.

4. Supporting frame as in claim 3, characterized in that said polyamide is nylon®.

5. Supporting frame as in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said fibrous material is glass fiber.

6. Supporting frame as in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said fibrous material is carbon fiber.

7. Supporting frame as in claim 1, characterized in that said rapid clamping element (16) has a metallic core covered by a sheath in polymer material.

8. Supporting frame as in claim 1, characterized in that each of said appendices (20a, 20b) comprises externally a ridged element (25) able to create interference with the relative groove (26).

9. Supporting frame as in claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a first fin means (20) elastic and a second, opposite, fin means (120) not elastic.

10. Supporting frame as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said rapid clamping elements (16) are disposed with respect to each other with an interaxis substantially equivalent to a first positioning interaxis of said covering elements (11).

I I. Supporting frame as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said rapid clamping elements (16) are aligned along said warp profile (12) with an interaxis substantially equivalent to a second positioning interaxis of said covering elements

(1 1).

12. Supporting frame as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said rapid clamping elements (16) are disposed on two rows along said warp profiles (12).

13. Supporting frame as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said rapid clamping elements (16) are disposed at the front of said warp profile (12).

14. Supporting frame as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said rapid clamping elements (16) are able to be selectively associated with said warp profile (12) in correspondence with relative apertures (15).

15. Supporting frame as in claim 14, characterized in that each of said rapid clamping elements (16) is able to selectively assume at least a first inactive position, in which said fin means (20) is disposed outside said grooves (26), and a second active position, rotated with respect to the first position, in which at least a part of said fin means (20) is elastically inserted into said grooves (26).

16. Supporting frame as in claim 15, characterized in that in said second position, said rapid clamping elements (16) are rotated by 90° with respect to said first position.

17. Supporting frame as in claim 15 or 16, characterized in that each of said rapid clamping elements (16) comprises at least a central part (19, 21), connected with said fin means (20), and a retaining arm (22), at least partly elastic, able to be inserted into said aperture (15) of said relative warp profile (12), said retaining arm (22) being able to be constrained to said warp profile (12) in cooperation with said central part (19, 21), in the passage from said first position to said second position.

18. Supporting frame as in claim 17, characterized in that said warp profile (12) includes recess means (15a) or protrusion means (17) able to cooperate through interference with mating parts (21, 22) of said rapid clamping element (16) in order to prevent the accidental return of said rapid clamping element (16) from said second position to said first position.

19. Supporting frame as in any claim from 15 to 18, characterized in that said rapid clamping element (16) also comprises at least a seating (23, 24) made between said fin means (20), to allow the insertion of a tool with which said rapid clamping element (16) can be rotated from said first position to said second position.

20. Supporting frame as in claim 17, characterized in that said central part comprises a rod (19) having a cylindrical cross section.

21. Supporting frame as in claim 17, characterized in that said central part comprises a rod (19) having two opposite sides substantially flat on which, in use, the covering elements (11) abut and rest.

22. Supporting frame as in claim 21, characterized in that in a position substantially intermediate on the flat side of the rod (19) a crest (28) is provided in order to avoid the lateral sliding of the covering elements (1 1) when assembled and rested on the relative rods (19).

23. Supporting frame as in claim 1, characterized in that the warp profile (12) comprises a protrusion (28) which prevents the rotation of a relative clamping element (16) in the wrong direction.

24. Clamping element (16) for a supporting frame for covering elements (11), characterized in that it comprises at least two fin means (20, 120) located opposite each other, at least one of these fin means (20) being made of two appendices (20a, 20b) connected on one side so as to define a substantially U- shaped, C-shaped or V-shaped cross-section able to be inserted inside mating grooves (26) provided on said covering elements (11) in order to clamp said covering elements (11) through elastic interference onto said supporting frame.