WO2011121412A1

WO2011121412A1 - A connection between flat modular elements designed to form the load surface of commercial vehicles and the like

Info

Publication number: WO2011121412A1
Application number: PCT/IB2011/000636
Authority: WO
Inventors: Massimo Maria Caccia
Original assignee: Gema S.R.L.
Priority date: 2010-03-29
Filing date: 2011-03-25
Publication date: 2011-10-06
Also published as: EP2555963A1; IT1399381B1; ITMO20100085A1

Abstract

The subject matter relates to a connection between modular flat elements aimed at making up the load surface of commercial vehicles and the like, which includes two flat elements (1 ) which are consecutively juxtaposed by means of at least one connection member in the form of a section (2). The latter has coupling recesses (20) symmetrically opposed to each other with respect to a longitudinal mid-plane of the connection member (2) itself, which are shaped for precise coupling with correspondingly shaped ends (10) of edges of said flat elements (1 ) consecutively juxtaposed to one another. The coupling recesses (20) are symmetrically opposed to each other with respect to a longitudinal mid- plane of the connection member (2) and the correspondingly shaped ends (10) of the edges of said flat elements (1 ) are shaped in such a way that two juxtaposed flat elements (1 ) are coupled preventing relative movement thereof in directions perpendicular to planes formed by them.

Description

A CONNECTION BETWEEN FLAT MODULAR ELEMENTS DESIGNED TO FORM THE LOAD SURFACE OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND THE LIKE

In the name of: GEMA S.r.l.

based in: Bologna, Via dei Mille no. 16

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention fits in the technical field concerning fitting out of commercial vehicles used to transport items.

Specifically, but not exclusively, it relates to the production of a load bearing surface for items to carry, and that generally must have load bearing capability, must be walkable and capable of enabling the execution of operations to be carried out inside the vehicle.

It is known to form this load surface, e.g. with plywood, using segments of wood of appropriate size, which are arranged consecutively juxtaposed to one another by connections, which ensure continuity between the segments and preventing at least the possibility of relative movements in a direction perpendicular to their bearing top surfaces.

In known procedures, this is done either by means of connection systems applied at the time of assembling, or by providing real connection joints, such as male-female ones, along the facing edges of the segments to be connected. In this case, the two members of the junction are applied to these edges with interlocking systems, which involve separate execution of the coupling to the single edge of each element, male or female, usually made from metal.

Application of these members by means of an interlocking system needs some recesses to be made on the edges of the segments, in which special protruding anchor elements, present in each member either male or female, are then inserted. Usually this is a mortise-tenon type connection, that requires the creation of a mortising at the edge of the segment, along the length of the edge itself. Mainly because of the dimensions involved and, in particular, the difference between the thickness of the segments and their extension, it is not easy to guarantee a perfect fit between the connection member and the segment, such as to achieve a perfect alignment between the same member and the bearing top surface of the segment. Accordingly, this problem is reflected in the connection being made.

Further, according to this known technique, the edges of various segments must be processed separately and care must be taken to properly distribute the various male-female member on the segments, in order to match the correct coupling between the segments themselves during assemblage.

Carrying out the above mentioned operation requires a considerable time.

The object of the present invention is to overcome these problems in accordance with the contents of the claims.

The advantages of the invention can certainly be found in quick and easy processing of the various segments being required.

Among these, the advantage of applying the same processing on all edges of the various segments of the floor to join is worth mentioning.

The features of the invention will be evident from the following description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the junction device in question, with the help of the attached drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a perspective overall view of a bearing surface incorporating the invention;

- Figure 2a shows a portion of a cross-section taken along the tracing line ll-ll of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 2b shows a portion of a cross-section taken along the tracing line ll-ll of Figure 1 , in which the connection members are shown separated, before coupling thereof;

- Figure 3 shows a portion of a cross-section taken along the tracing line Ill-Ill of Figure 1.

Referring to the figures, numeral 1 indicates a flat modular element designed for assembly with other modular elements to form a load surface of commercial vehicles and the like.

The flat elements 1 are assembled consecutively by juxtaposing one to another by means of connections indicated as a whole by numeral 3.

Each connection 3 includes at least one connection members in the form of a section 2, which is straight with constant cross-section, at least as regards its contour, and has coupling recesses 20 which are symmetrically opposed to each other with reference to a median longitudinal plane of the same connection member 2.

The coupling recesses 20 are so shaped that mating extremities 10 of the edges of said flat elements 1 , consecutively set close to each other, are perfectly fitted therein.

The recesses 20 are geometrically identical to each other and have cylindrical shape with constant cross section, preferably in the form of circle arc.

The coupling recesses 20 and the mating extremities 10 of the edges of the flat elements 1 have such a shape as to establish a coupling designed to prevent the two flat elements 1 set close to each other from moving with respect to each other in directions perpendicular to the planes that they define. In particular, the shaped extremities 10 of the edges of the flat elements 1 have cylindrical shape, complementary to that of the coupling recesses 20, whose generatrices are set parallel to the longitudinal middle axis of said connection member 2. The generatrices of the cylindrically shaped ends 10 of the edges of the flat elements 1 are parallel to said flat elements 1.

Each of the coupling recesses 20 is delimited by lug portions 21 with at least partially convex extremity portions, designed to precisely mate with corresponding concave portions 11 of each correspondingly shaped single end 10 of the edges of the flat elements 1 , consecutively juxtaposed to one another.

The connection member in the form of section 2 is delimited by two flat surfaces 22, parallel to each other and symmetrically opposite with respect to a longitudinal midplane perpendicular to the longitudinal symmetry midplane of said coupling recesses 20.

The coupling recesses 20, with their lug portions 21 having at least partially convex extremity portions, are sized to receive, with said precise coupling with the corresponding concave portions 11 of each single said shaped ends 10, so that the planes 12 delimiting said flat elements 1 are coplanar with the flat surfaces 22 delimiting said connection member 2 in form of section.

To obtain the connection, it is enough to shape the extremity edges of the flat elements 1 , so as to form the shaped ends 10 with their concave portions 11. Shaping operation is particularly easy and fast because it is performed by a machine with a standard milling operation of the same by using a special shaped cutter. The operation is repeated identically, using the same tool for the edges to be matched of all the flat elements 1. The other edges, which do not have to be mutually joined in the connection, such as the outer edges, will be finished with different operations, for example by including closure elements or flanges 4 as shown in Figure 3.

Once the shaped ends 10 have been obtained with the concave portions 11 (and possibly with their surfaces protected by applying a layer of protective paint), the flat elements 1 are ready to be assembled with the connection members 2, by juxtaposition coupling of the shaped ends 10 of two flat elements 1 with the coupling recesses 20 of a connection member 2. The bearing surface is then simply mounted by juxtaposition by matching consecutively one flat element to another with the interposition of a connection member 2.

Giving the same shape to all the edges of the flat elements, extremely fast and simple, as well as the assembly with the connection members 2, allow very short working time and accurate and substantially non-alignment defect-free couplings between the load surface and the connection member surface, such defects being capable of generating unwanted steps on the load surface itself. It is understood, however, that the foregoing is intended as a non limiting example, therefore further embodiments and variants or modifications of details, which may be necessary with respect to those described, are considered since now within the protective scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A connection between flat modular elements designed to form the load surface of commercial vehicles and the like, characterised in that two flat elements (1 ) are set close to each other consecutively by means of at least one connection member in form of a section member (2), which features opposing coupling recesses (20) symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal midplane of said connection member (2); said coupling recesses (20) being so shaped that mating extremities (10) of the edges of said flat elements (1 ), consecutively set close to each other, are perfectly fitted therein.

2. A connection according to claim 1 , characterised in that said opposing coupling recesses (20) symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal midplane of the connection member (2) have the same geometrical shape.

3. A connection according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said opposing coupling recesses (20) symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal midplane of the connection member and the mating extremities (10) of the edges of said flat element (1 ) have such a shape as to establish a coupling designed to prevent the two flat elements (1 ) set close to each other from moving with respect to each other in directions perpendicular to the planes that they define.

4. A connection according to claim 3, characterised in that said coupling recesses (20) have cylindrical shape with their generatrix set parallel to the longitudinal middle axis of said connection member (2) and said mating extremities (10) of the edges of said flat element (1 ) have the

1 same cylindrical shape with the generatrix set parallel to said flat elements (1 ).

5. A connection according to claim 3, characterised in that each of said opposing coupling recesses (20) symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal midplane of the connection member (2) is delimited by protruding portions (21) provided with end parts, at least in part convex, designed to perfectly couple with corresponding concave portions (11 ) of each said mating extremities (10) of the edges of said flat elements (1 ), consecutively set close to each other.

6. A connection according to claim 5, characterised in that said connection member in form of section member (2) is delimited by two flat surfaces (22), parallel to each other and symmetrically opposing with respect to a longitudinal midplane perpendicular to the longitudinal symmetry midplane of said coupling recesses (20); said coupling recesses (20), with the relative protruding portions (21 ) provided with extreme parts at least partially convex, having such dimension as to receive the edges of said flat elements (1 ) in the corresponding concave portions (11 ) of each shaped end (10) as a perfect fit, so that the planes (12) delimiting said flat elements (1) result to be co-planar with the flat surfaces (22) delimiting said connection member in form of section member (2).

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