WO2011064807A1

WO2011064807A1 - Device for connecting profile elements in line, miter square or at angle

Info

Publication number: WO2011064807A1
Application number: PCT/IT2010/000463
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gianfranco Bonomi
Original assignee: Five T S.R.L.
Priority date: 2009-11-25
Filing date: 2010-11-22
Publication date: 2011-06-03
Also published as: IT1396502B1; ITBS20090215A1

Abstract

This invention concerns a device for connecting contiguous profiled elements each having at least grooves or longitudinal housings along two opposite sides. The device comprises at least two connection angular brackets (21, 22) to be associated and fixed to elements to be connected by using screws accessible from the outside so as to determine the play between the adjacent ends, the precision adjustment of the position of the frontal surfaces and longitudinal sides of said elements, and the final blocking of the connection in the acquired position. The device is usable in particular for connecting in line, miter square or at an angle the modular panels for the composition of fluid circulation systems for the cooling or heating of locations.

Description

DEVICE FOR CONNECTING PROFILE ELEMENTS IN LINE, MITER

SQUARE OR AT ANGLE

* * * *

This invention concerns a device for connecting substantially flat profile elements in line, miter square or at an angle, and in particular modular panels for the formation of fluid circulation systems for cooling or heating locations.

The same inventor has already proposed a metal modular panel, in particular made of aluminium or its alloys, in the form of a profiled element designed for the formation of fluid circulation radiant systems, both for cooling and heating residences, officesy laboratories, public places and the like.

Such a modular panel can be made up of a body obtained by extrusion and having: a flat frontal surface defined in width by two opposite longitudinal sides; at least one rear longitudinal duct passing in an intermediate portion parallel to said two opposite sides and extending according to the length of said body; and preferably a decreasing thickness towards the two opposite longitudinal sides starting from the intermediate portion defining the longitudinal duct. The opposite longitudinal sides are basically C shaped, each delimiting a groove that extends for the whole length of the panel.

The panel shaped in this way can be cut into portions of a required length and used individually or, better, arranged and connected in line, miter square or at an angle or also superimposed with other similar panels to form thermo radiant systems of the width required in cooling or heating systems. They can be arranged according to various trends, on the floor, along walls, also as skirting, or attached to the ceiling, around doors and windows, etc., with the interposition, where required, of an insulating material between every panel and the plane on which it is resting. Also their longitudinal conducts are opportunely connected for the circulation of a thermovector fluid, usually water, which will be cool in the cooling systems or hot in the heating systems. However, as far as is known no specific system has been described regarding the physical connection of said contiguous modular panels on the planes or contact angles when placed in position.

Thus, one objective of this invention is to provide a device for a mechanical connection of structural elements to take place easily from the outside, from their longitudinal side, whatever their disposition in line may be, square or at an angle and whatever their run in the range of a composite system may be.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a device to connect length portions of modular panels of the type and for the suitable aforementioned use to consent a recovery of the play in connection with the mating line or plane of every two length portions to be connected, so as to regulate with precision and firmly block the joined portions in the final acquired position.

These objective and implicit advantages which derive from them are reached, in accordance with the invention, with a device for the connection of profiled elements in line, miter square or at an angle according to claim 1. The claims depending on the first refer in their turn to particular aspects of the invention.

Advantageously, the angular brackets to be used for the connection of every two contiguous structural elements can be obtained from a L shaped extruded member for the use of every angular bracket according to the different dispositions in relation to the elements to be connected.

The invention will furthermore be explained better in the continuation of the description carried out with reference to the enclosed purely exemplifying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows in a cross section a part of an section element or panel to connect to Others which are identical;

Fig. 2 shows indicatively a cooling or heating system made with elements or section panels of the type shown in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 shows a view on a level with two panel length portions connected in line , that is to say head to head, as encircled in F in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 shows a cross section according to arrows A-A in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 shows a cross section according to arrows B-B in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 shows a cross section according to arrows C-C in Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 shows a view of two coplanar miter square joined panel portions as encircled in G in Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 shows a view in cross section of the miter square jointing connection system of coplanar panels as shown in Fig. 7; Fig. 8a shows a cross section according to arrows D-D in Fig. 8;

Fig. 8b shows a cross section according to arrows E-E in Fig. 8;

Fig. 8c shows a cross section according to arrows F-F in Fig. 8;

Fig. 9 shows a view of two panel crop ends according to a first way of connection at an angle as circled in H in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 10 shows a view of two panel portions according to another way of connecting at an angle.

As represented, a modular panel 10 of the type taken into consideration comprises a section body 11 , for example, in aluminium or its alloys, the length of which can be chosen from time to time and the width of which is pre-established, defined by two opposite longitudinal sides 12, 12'.

In particular, the section body 11 has a substantially flat frontal surface 13, and has in its rear face at least a longitudinal conduit 14 provided on a level with an intermediate part 15 that extends for the whole length of the body itself. Each longitudinal side 12, 12' of said section body delimits a C shape groove, 16, 16' respectively, open towards the abovementioned intermediate part 15 and having an L width.

The modular panel 10 can be cut into portions of a required,, , length, and these panel portions 1 a, 1 b can then be connected in different ways for the formation of a fluid circulation system 17 for cooling or heating an ambient as shown indicatively in Fig. 2. In fact, said panel portions can be connected in line, that is to say head to head, as in Fig. 3, miter square jointing, coplanar, as in Fig. 7, or at an angle, as in Figs. 9 and 10.

According to the invention, the connection in line of the adjacent ends of two panel portions 11 a and 1 b of a modular panel 10 is achieved by using a linear element 20 and two paired connecting angular brackets 21 , 22. In particular, the linear element 20 connects with the longitudinal groove 16 of a first side^' 12 whereas the two angular brackets are associate with the groove 16' of the opposite side 12' of said panel portions.

Furthermore, both the linear element 20 and each of the two connecting angular brackets 21 , 22 have a thickness almost equal to the L width of the grooves 16, 16' they are associated with.

Preferably, the linear element 20 is placed in the groove 16 of the two portions from the longitudinal side 12 of the latter which for any impediment can become less accessible from the outside. On the other hand, the two connecting angular brackets 21 , 22 are associated with the groove 16' on the longitudinal side 12' from time to time more accessible from the outside of said panel portion ends.

¾ , , As shown in Fig. 3, the linear element 20 can simply be inserted into the respective groove 16, held for example by a spring 23. Said linear element 20 will however be placed astride the approach line 24 of the two portions 11a and 11 b to be connected and so as to fit their superficial frontal surfaces. Each of the two connecting angular brackets 21 , 22 has a first arm 21 ', 22', and a second arm 21", 22", respectively, orthogonal between them. A first angular bracket 21 has its first arm 21 ' housed in the groove 16' of a panel portion 11a and the second arm 21" facing towards the intermediate part 15 defining the fluid conduit 14 of the same panel. The other angular bracket 22 has its first arm 22' housed in the groove 16' of the other panel portion 11 b and the second arm 22" also facing towards the intermediate part 15 of the panel. The two angular brackets 21 , 22 are however placed back to back, that is to say with their first arms 21 ', 22' facing in opposite directions and with their second arms 21", 22" adjacent. Furthermore the second arm 21" or 22" of one or the other of the angular brackets 21 , 22 is placed astride the approach line 24 of the two portions 11a and 11 b so as to contribute with the realization of the coplanarity of their frontal surfaces 13 in combination with the linear element 20 from the opposite side.

The two second arms 21" 22" of the two angular brackets 21 , 22 are connected one to the other, at their free ends, by a bolt, a rivet or the like 25. Furthermore, every angular bracket 21 , 22 has its first arm 21 ', 22', the one that is housed in the groove 16' of the respective portion 1 a and 11 b, provided with a pull screw 26 and a push screw 27 at a distance one from the other. The pull screw 26 is at the free end of said first arm 21 ', 22', whereas the push screw 27 is near the second arm 21 ", 22" of the same angular bracket.

In particular, the pull screw 26 has a head 26', better if countersunk, resting against the external surface of the side 12' defining said groove 16', and a leg 26" that screws into a threaded hole provided in said first arm so as to constrain the latter in said groove -Figs. 4 and 6. The push screw 27, in turn, has a leg 27" that screws into a threaded hole in said first arm and a head 27' that rests on the internal bottom of said groove 16' and which is accessible through of a hole 28 provided in the same bottom -Figs. 5 and 6.

Thanks to the arrangement of the two angular brackets and the constraint member 25 on a level with their two second arms 21", 22", leaving the pull screws 26 temporarily loosened and operating by screwdriver on the push screws 27 of both the angular brackets it is possible so as to acquire a tight approach of the panel portions 11 a, 11 b to be connected in the direction of their length and a cancellation of the play between their adjacent ends; at the same time an alignment of the two panel portions is reached in the direction of, their width until their longitudinal opposite sides 12, 12' succeed in fitting correctly. Once the required alignments have been reached, the connection between the connected panel portions 11a and 11 b is established by using the pull screws 26 until they are blocked.

For the miter square jointing connection of the two coplanar panel portions 11 c, 11 d with relative ends cut at 45° - Figs. 7, 8 - two angular brackets are used again which operate independently one from the other, a first angular bracket 21 correlated to the external top V and a second angular bracket 22 correlated to the internal top V of the two panel portions 11c, 1d when they are put near. In particular, the first angular bracket 21 has its orthogonal arms which settle in the grooves 16 of the external sides 12 of the two portions of a panel where each arm is constrained by a pair of locking screws 32. The second angular bracket 22 also has two orthogonal arms which also settle in the grooves 16' of the internal sides of the two panel portions 11c, 11 d.

In the example shown, each of the arms of the second bracket 22 are however associated with two screws-Fig. 8-, precisely one pull screw 26 and a push screws 27 each with a respective head 26', 27' and a respective leg 26", 27", arranged and operating in the same way as the pull and push screws described in relation to, the angular brackets for the head to head junction of two portions of lined up panel according to Figs. 3-6. ^■■■■^■ .- ·

■ Also in this case, the insertion of the two brackets 21 , 22 in the respective grooves 16, 16' contributes towards the aligning of the frontal faces of the two panel portions to be connected until they are coplanar. The angular connection really and truly of the two coplanar panel portions 11 c, 11 d cut at 45° is then carried out by momentarily leaving the screws 32 of the first bracket 21 loosened, the external one at the top V of the connection, and acting conveniently on the , pull 26 and push 27 screws of the two arms of the second bracket 22, the one at the internal top V, so as to align correctly and closely approach the adjacent ends of the two panel portions 11c, 11d, following which the connection becomes established by tightening the pull screws 26 of the second bracket 22 and the tightening screws 32 of the first bracket 21. In Fig. 9, then, there is represented the connection of two panel portions 41a, 41 b positioned orthogonally so that the C grooves 16, 16' and their intermediate parts15 defining the conduits 14 for the fluid, are facing towards the inside of the angle defined by said panel 5 portions. The angular connection of the two panel portions 41 a, 41 b are positioned and one again made through connecting brackets 21 , 22 inserted in the coinciding grooves 16, 16' of the two panel portions ends and each one tightly fixed there by screws 42, from the outside.

In Fig. 10 there is represented the connection of two panel 10 portions 51a, 51 b which are associated orthogonally but on the contrary , : to how they are shown in Fig. 9, that is to say so that their C shaped grooves 16, 16' and the intermediate parts 15 defining the conduits 14 for the fluid are facing towards the outside of the angle defined by said panel portions. The angular connection of the two panel portionsl 15 positioned in this way is: always made by connecting brackets 21 , 22 inserted in the grooves of said crop ends and tightly fixed there by screws 52 from the outside

As an alternative, in the form of a connection of the two panel portions according to Figs. 9 and 10, the connecting bracket that is on - - ,20 _r the lower side of said panel portions could also not need to be fixed by screws in the relative grooves, but simply held by means of an flexible means 55 positioned between the bracket itself and the intermediate part 15 of said panel portions.

Worthy of note is that the section elements, that is to say the 25 modular panels to be connected with the device according to the invention may also have different shapes as long as they are provided with suitable grooves to receive the connection elements, in particular the angular brackets 21 , 22 described beforehand. Furthermore these brackets for all the connection modes and fastening of adjacent panel portions can be advantageously obtained starting from a single L shaped extruded profile. The two orthogonal arms of each bracket will preferably have a squared section having a side with a measure compatible with le width L of the groove in which it is to be inserted to. The arms of the angular bracket, must then remain contained in the respective grooves whatever the position of the pull and push screws is;

Claims

DEVICE FOR CONNECTING PROFILE ELEMENTS IN LINE, MITER SQUARE OR AT ANGLE * * * * CLAIMS

1. Device for connecting contiguous portions of section elements, in particular portions of modular panels for the formation of fluid circulation systems for cooling or heating locations, where the panels have a substantially flat frontal surface (13), a rear front defining at least 5 one longitudinal conduit (14) on a level with an intermediate part (15) that extends for the whole length of said body, and two opposite longitudinal sides (12, 12') each delimiting a C shape groove (16, 16') open towards said intermediate part and having a certain width, characterized by connecting angular brackets (21 , 22) associated with

■ \o two contiguous panel portion ends for a connection of the latter in line, by miter square jointing, coplanar, when cut at 45° or selectively at an angle, every angular bracket defining a first arm (21 ', 22') and a second orthogonal arm (22", 22") having in section a side which basically corresponds to the width of said groove (16, 16').

15 2. Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that, for the connection in line with the adjacent ends of two contiguous portions of a panel (11a and 11 b), to the groove (16') along a longitudinal side (12') of said portions in line two paired connection angular brackets (21 , 22) are associated to interact between them, whereas a linear element (20)

20 is associated to the groove (16) along the opposite longitudinal side

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said linear element (20) is held in the respective groove (16) by a spring (23) and is placed astride the adjacent heads of the panel portion ends to be connected.

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said two connection angular brackets (21 , 22) are positioned back to back, with a first bracket (21 ) having its first arm (21 ') housed in the groove (16') of a panel portion (11a) and its second arm (21") facing towards the intermediate part (15) of said portion defining the fluid conduit (16), and with the other bracket (22) having its first arm (22') housed in the groove (16') of the other panel portion (11 b) and its second arm (22") also facing towards the intermediate part (15) of said other panel portion (11 b), in that the two second arms (21" 22") or said angular brackets (21 , 22) are connected one to the other at their ends by a constraining element, and in that the first arm (21 ', 22') of each of said brackets (21 , 22) is engaged with a pull screw (26) and a push screw (27) at a distance one from the other, with the pull screw at the free end of said first arm and the push screw near the second arm of the same angular bracket.

- 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the second arm (21" or 22") of one of said angular brackets (21 , 22) is positioned astride the adjacent heads of the two panel portions to be connected, and in that the pull screw (26) associated with the first arm (21 ', 22') of each of said brackets has a head (26') resting from the outside against the longitudinal side (12') of the panel portion defining said groove (16') housing said first arm, and a leg (26") that is tightened in a threaded hole provided in said first arm, whereas the push screw (27) has a leg (27") which is tightened in a threaded hole in said first arm and a head (27') that rests from inside against the bottom of said groove (16') and which is accessible from the outside through a hole (28), all said screws being operated to cause approach, and fitting together of the surfaces and the blocking in position of the two panel portions.

6. Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that, for the miter square jointing of the adjacent ends of two contiguous portions of a panel (31a and 31 b), the two orthogonal arms of a first connecting at angular bracket (21 ) are inserted and held in the grooves of two sides fitting the two panel portions to be miter square jointed, in that the two orthogonal arms of a second angular bracket (22) are inserted in the grooves of the opposite fitting sides of said two panel portions, and in that each of the two arms of at least one of said brackets is provided with a pull screw (26) and a push screw (27) at a distance one from the other, with the pull screw near the free end of said arm and the push screw is near a apex of the same bracket.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that said pull screw (26) has a head: (26·) resting from the outside against the longitudinal side (12') defining said groove (16') housing the at the angular bracket, and a leg (26") that screws into a threaded hole provided in a respective arm of the angular bracket, whereas the push screw (27) has a leg (27") that screws into a threaded hole in said arm and a head (27') that rests from inside against the bottom of said groove and that can be accessed from the outside through a hole, all said screws being operated to fit together with the surfaces and block in position the two panel portions to be connected.

8. Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that for the connection of the contiguous ends of two contiguous panel portions positioned at an angle, the two orthogonal arms of a first connecting angular bracket (41 ) are inserted and restrained in the grooves of the two coinciding sides of the two panel portions to be connected, and in that the two orthogonal arms of a second connecting angular bracket are inserted and fixed in the grooves of the opposite coinciding sides of said two panel portion ends.

9. Device according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that each of said connection angular brackets is obtained from an L shaped profile and defines two orthogonal arms each with a basically squared section.