WO2013079991A1

WO2013079991A1 - A construction and a method for building the construction

Info

Publication number: WO2013079991A1
Application number: PCT/IB2011/055372
Authority: WO
Inventors: Flemming Berg; Bo Glad KRISTIANSEN
Original assignee: Fb Rustfri/Alu Aps; Strict Design Aps
Priority date: 2011-11-30
Filing date: 2011-11-30
Publication date: 2013-06-06
Also published as: DK2785928T3; EP2785928A1; EP2785928B1; NO2785928T3; PL2785928T3

Abstract

A construction comprises a number of elements (15,22), a number of first and second bars (1,6) for mounting the elements and moulding strips (17) placed in the construction between the elements (15,22) and the bars (1,6) for sealing and stabilizing the construction. The first and second bars (1,6) are equipped with first and second groups of hooks adapted to engage each other when building the construction. The construction has a simple and inexpensive structure and can easy and quickly be formed to many different configurations.

Description

A construction and a method for building the construction

The invention relates to a construction consisting of a number of elements and of a frame structure in form of a number of bars connected to each other and abutting on at least one edge of at least one element.

The invention also relates to a method for mounting the construction according to the invention.

The invention further relates to a use of the construction and the method according to the invention.

There is an almost incalculable abundance of different partition walls, which can be assembled from pre-manufactured components (wall elements and columns) . The large number of different systems is hereby primarily a consequence of these types of partition walls being intended for use in greatly differing applications.

A typical field of application is the subdivision of large area offices into individual zones, whether they are open regions or closed cells, for example conference rooms. These types of partition walls are also used for the shielding of individual workplaces, for example against visibility, sound, and/or the undesired incidence of light. In addition, the use of these types of partition walls in the field of exhibitions and shows is widespread.

In dependence on the circumstances it can be necessary to change the division of a room. The partition wall therefore need to be constructed in such way that it quickly, fast and flexible can be releasable mounted to form a partition wall of desired configuration and be dismounted if necessary for being re-mounted at either the same or a different location, to form a partition wall of another configuration. From the U.S. Patent Document No. 5,586,593 is known a partition wall consisting of more parts, which releasable can be mounted to form partition walls of different configurations. This known partition wall has however a complicated and expensive construction and is moreover strenuous and time consuming to mount and dismount. The appearance of the partition wall furthermore makes an unfavourable impression.

The U.S. Patent No. 4,040,219 discloses a frame structure for mounting a window. The frame structure comprises a first profile bar, which at one side has a longitudinal upright support for supporting a sealing strip and a separate angular second profile bar with a longitudinal hook for at the other side of the first profile bar releasable engaging a second longitudinal hook on the first bar when mounting the construction .

The window is, when being mounted, placed upon the first bar between the upright support and the angular second bar with clearances in between.

Sealing strips then are laid into the clearances after which the hook of the second bar is forced into engagement with the hook on the first bar causing the sealing strips to be compressed so that strips are loading the second bar with a turning moment to keep the hooks of the first and second bar into engagement.

This construction suffers however from the serious drawback that the second bar unintended can be loaded with a force into the opposite direction of the compressing force of the sealing strip whereby the assembling of the window and frame structure automatically would be dismantled with the risk that the window could fall out of the construction and be damaged. Another draw back of this known construction consists in that it lacks of flexibility so that the possible configurations of the construction is limited.

The above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art constructions of elements and frame structure are according to the invention remedied by, in a first aspect of the invention providing a construction of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph which has a simple and inexpensive structure, in a second aspect of the invention providing a construction of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph which easily and quickly can be mounted and dismounted, in a third aspect of the invention providing a construction of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph which in use is stable against influences like impacts, in a fourth aspect of the invention providing a construction of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph which can be mounted into many different configurations, and in a fifth aspect of the invention providing a construction of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph which has a nice appearance .

The novel and unique features whereby these and further advantageous aspects of the invention are achieved consists in the fact that the construction comprises_at least one first bar with preferably four sides of which at least a first one is formed with at least two first groups of longitudinal first hooks placed at a distance from each other, at least one angular second bar consisting of a first flange and a second flange and equipped with a second group of longitudinal second hooks which are placed on the first flange and fit into one of the first groups of longitudinal first hooks on the first bar, and at least one moulding strip placed in the construction between the second flange of the second bar and at least one of the elements.

Thereby is obtained a construction according to the invention that in a simple and easy manner can be assembled to provide a rigid and strong structure and accordingly later be disassembled to a flat condition and stored in a relatively small area.

This is especially relevant when one of the elements in the construction according to the invention contains printed outdated advertising material, becomes damages, worn during use or for any other reason needs to be replaced with a new element e.g. with a different color.

In this way the construction provides a desired degree of flexibility and strength, as the construction easily can be both assembled and dismantled without compromising the strength of the completely assembled construction.

By the term "element" is within the content of the present invention understood a flat preferable square or rectangular member, such as a panel, a windowpane, or a similar flat element .

Said construction further has the advantage that it primarily comprises components of simple character which can be easily and economically mass-produced and readily assembled by anyone without requiring skill or training.

In a preferred embodiment according to the invention at least one of the bars of the frame structure can be an extruded profile bar of e.g. aluminium or plastic causing the construction to be both inexpensive and light.

The construction can according to the invention be formed by connecting the bars of the frame structure with each other in such way that the bars are abutting on at least one edge of each element.

The connecting of the bars with each other can according to the invention take place by releasable connecting first groups of first hooks of first bars with second groups of second hooks of second bars. These operations are advantageously easy and rapid to carry out.

Since the constructional elements and frame structures are releasable interconnected the construction according to the invention can just as well be easily and quickly disconnected for being removed or replaced with another construction.

According to the invention the first and second hooks can fit into each other in such way that a clearance is formed in the construction between an element and the second flange of the second bar for safely containing the moulding strip, which according to the invention can be formed with a width larger than the width of the clearance.

The moulding strip can according to the invention consists of a resilient material or of a firm material formed as a wedge. Any kind of material is contemplated within the scope of the present invention, as long as the moulding strip is capable of providing a tight and secure fit.

In both cases will the moulding strip advantageously be acting as a sealing strip in the clearance simultaneously with loading the second bar with a pressure acting upon the second bar with a turning moment locking the first and second hooks and thereby the first and second bar of the construction securely together.

For hindering that the moulding strip gradually is working its way out of the clearance between an element and the second flange of the second bar can the second flange according to the invention be formed with at least one inwards pointing barb and/or the moulding strip can be formed with at least one outwards pointing barb.

The terms "inwards pointing" and "outwards pointing" are here to be understood as directions extending in or out of the construction of the invention.

According to the invention can a first and second bar be used for connecting only a single element as e.g. a window or for connecting juxtaposed elements for inter alia insulating against noise and heat.

The first hooks of one first group on the first side of the first bar can according to the invention be pointing towards each other whereby is secured against that the above mentioned compressive force of the moulding strip unfortunately disengages the connection between the first and second hooks of the first and second bars.

When being used for connecting only a single element, e.g. a window can the second hooks of the second group of the second bar according to the invention be pointing into the direction of the free edge of the first flange whereby is obtained that the outside of the second flange of the second bar extends along a peripheral area of the single element with the required clearance in between.

When being used for connecting two juxtaposed elements can the second hooks of the second group of the second bar be pointing, according to the invention, into the direction of the second flange whereby is obtained that the inner side of the second flange of the second bar extends along a peripheral area of the outside of one of the juxtaposed elements with the required clearance in between.

For securing a strong and stable connection between the first and second groups of first and second hooks can the number of hooks in each group, according to the invention, be at least two hooks.

The first bar of the invention is above described as having first hooks upon a first side only whereby only a construction extending into one direction can be built.

Within the scope of the invention can the first bar however be equipped with first hooks on more sides so that a construction extending into more directions can be built.

The construction mentioned above consisting of a number of elements and of a frame structure in form of a number of bars connected to each other and abutting on at least one edge of each element can easily and fast be built by means of the method according to the invention comprising the steps of placing the edge of at least one element directly or indirectly upon the first side of a first bar, engaging one first group of first hooks on the first bar with the second group of second hooks on one second bar, engaging the opposite first group of first hooks on the first bar with the second group of second hooks on another second bar and placing at least one moulding strip between the at least one element and the second flange of the two second bars.

In one embodiment of the method according to the invention can the edge of an element be placed in or at a groove formed in the first side of the first bar mounting thereby a construction with single elements.

In another embodiment of the method according to the invention can a spacer be placed in the groove in the first side of the first bar and the edge of an element be placed on each side of the spacer for thereby mounting a construction with juxtaposed elements .

The invention will be explained in greater details below, giving further advantageous features and technical effects and showing exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing, in which

Fig. 1 shows in perspective an exploded view of one embodiment of a first bar of the frame structure of the construction according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows in perspective an exploded view of one embodiment of two second bars of the frame structure of the construction according to the invention,

Fig. 3 shows in perspective two first bars being interconnected to form a part of the frame structure of the construction according to the invention,

Fig. 4 shows in perspective a first bar and supports being placed on the first bar as rest for a window,

Fig. 5 shows the same but connected with the right one of the second bars seen in fig. 2,

Fig. 6 shows the same but with a fragment seen in perspective of a window resting upon the supports, Fig. 7 shows the same but connected also with the left one of the second bars, seen in fig. 2,

Fig. 8 shows the same but with a moulding strip placed between the window and the left and right second bar, seen in fig. 2,

Fig. 9 shows in a larger scale a cross section of the moulding strip seen in fig. 8,

Fig. 10 shows the first bar shown in fig. 1 in another embodiment of a frame structure,

Fig. 11 shows another embodiment of second bars of the other embodiment of a frame structure,

Fig. 12 shows in perspective in a larger scale a fragment of the other embodiment of a frame structure for mounting two juxtaposed panels.

Fig. 13 shows in perspective a fragment of an exploded view of the construction according to the invention, seen into the direction towards the window,

Fig. 14 shows in perspective a fragment of an exploded view of the construction according to the invention, seen into the direction towards the panels.

In the following detailed description is by way of examples supposed that the construction according to the invention is a wall such as a partition wall built of square or rectangular panels and/or windows mounted in a frame structure consisting of first and second bars. This assumption is not to be construed as limiting as any kind of flat element or several flat elements can be secured in the construction according to the present invention. The bars of the frame structure are each formed as a square or rectangular extruded profile member of e.g. aluminium or plastic causing the bar to be inexpensive and light but at the same time also stable and strong.

It is however noted that the bars can be formed and produced in other appropriate ways within the scope of the invention.

In fig. 1 is seen a first embodiment of a first bar 1' of the frame structure.

A side 2 of the first bar 1' is formed with a longitudinal groove 3 and with two first groups 4' and 4" of two longitudinal first hooks 5' and 5" placed on a left and right side respectively, of said groove. The hooks of one of the two groups 4' and 4" are pointing towards the hooks of the other one of the two groups 4' and 4".

Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of an angular second bar 6' with a first and second flange 7 and 8. A second group 9 of two longitudinal second hooks 10 are placed on the outside of the first flange.

The second group of hooks 10 are pointing towards the free edge of the first flange of the second bar and thereby into the opposite direction of the first group of hooks 5 of the first bar. The two groups of hooks are moreover adapted to fit into each other.

This first embodiment of the angular second bar serves together with the first bar for mounting a window in the frame structure as seen in fig. 4 - 8.

The first embodiment of the first bar 1' is formed with hooks 5' and 5" upon only one side. In fig. 3 is this first embodiment of the first bar 1' being connected perpendicular to another embodiment of the first bar 1" formed with hooks 5' and 5" upon opposite sides.

The connection of these two first bars 1' and 1" is carried out by means of angle fittings 11, which by means of screws 12 are attached upon each of the two first bars 1' and 1".

The first bar 1' itself is in this case attached to the floor (not seen) by means of other screws 13. That is however an option and not any part of the invention.

The two bars 1' and 1" form when being connected to each other a fragment of a part of the frame structure of the invention.

As shown with the arrows in fig. 4 are supports 14 being inserted into the groove 3 in the side 2 of the first bar 1' for forming a rest for a window - (not seen here) - to be mounted in the frame structure.

The second hooks 10 of the second group 9 of the right one of the angular second bars 6', seen in fig. 2, is in fig. 5 now been engaged with the right first group 4" of right hooks 5" placed on the right side of the groove 3 in the side 2 of the first bar 1' so that the second flange 8 of the angular second bar 6' is extending perpendicular to the first side of the first bar close to the groove 3 while the free edge of the first flange 7 are pointing away from the groove.

In fig. 6 has a window 15 been placed in the frame structure. The window, of which only a fragment is seen in fig. 6, is resting upon the supports 14 which has been inserted in the groove 3 in the side 2 of the first bar 1'.

The second hooks 10 of the second group 9 of the left one of the angular second bars 6' has in fig. 7 moreover been engaged with the left first group 4' of left hooks 5' placed on the left side of the groove 3 in the side 2 of the first bar 1'.

The second flange 8 of the two angular second bars 6' is now extending along a peripheral area of the window 15 with a clearance 16 in between at both sides of the window.

In fig. 8 has a moulding strip 17 been placed in the clearance 16 between the window 15 and flange 8 of the left and right second bar 6 ' .

This moulding strip 17 consists of an elastic material and has a width larger than the width of the clearance 16 so that the moulding strip need to be elastically squeezed together when being introduced in the clearance.

A squeezed moulding strip 17 placed in the clearance 16 between the window 15 and the second flange 8 of the second bar 6' will therefore act upon the second flange with a compressive force.

The second flange 8 functions as a lever arm of the second bar 6' resulting in that the compressive force is loading the second bar 6' with a turning moment, which is locking the first and second hooks 5 and 10 of the first and second bars 1 and 6' firmly together so that the construction of the invention advantageously obtains a durable and stable structure.

Another advantage consists in the fact that the second hooks 10 of a second bar 6' securely are pushed into the first hooks 5 of the first bar 1' by means of the outwards directed compressive force since the first group of hooks 5 are pointing inwards and the second group of hooks are pointing outwards.

The moulding strip 17, which in fig. 9 is seen in cross section in a larger scale, consist in this case of a first elongated leg 18 and a second elongated leg 19. In use is the first leg 18 squeezed into the clearance 16 between the window 10 and the second flange 8 of the second bar 6' while the second leg 19 is resting on the free edge of the second flange of the second bar.

The second flange 8 of the second bar 6 'is moreover equipped with an inwards pointing barb 20 which serves for hindering that the moulding strip 17 gradually is working its way out of the clearance 16 between said second flange 8 and the window 15.

Fig. 10 shows the first embodiment of the first bar 1' shown in fig. 1 but used in another embodiment of the frame structure.

Fig. 11 shows a second embodiment of an angular second bar 6", which in the main corresponds to the angular second bar 6 ' shown in fig. 2. Same parts therefore are denoted same references, while each of the hooks of the second embodiment of the second bar 6" is denoted 21.

In the first embodiment of the second bar 6' are the hooks 10 pointing towards the free edge of the first flange 8 of the second bar 6' whereby said free edge is pointing outwards when being in engagement with the hooks 5 of the first bar 1', the hooks of which are pointing inwards.

In the second embodiment of the second bar 6" are the hooks 21 pointing away from the free edge of the first flange 7 of the second bar 6" whereby said free edge is pointing outwards too when being in engagement with the hooks 5 of the first bar 1", which hooks are pointing inwards.

That implies that the second flanges 8 of two opposite second bars 6" connected to the first bar 1" will be farther from each other than the free edges of their first flanges 7. In these positions of the second bars on the first bar is the frame structure suited for mounting two juxtaposed panels.

Fig. 12 shows two juxtaposed panels 22 mounted in a frame structure of interconnected first bars 1' and 1" and of second bars 6". The panels and the frame structure are in the figure seen only in fragments.

A spacer 23 is placed in the groove 3 for keeping the panels 22 at a distance from each and the second flanges 8 of the two opposite second bars 6" connected to the first bar 1' are so far from each other that a panel 22 can be placed on each side of the groove 3 between the spacer 23 and the inner side of a second flange 8 with a clearance 16 in between.

Moulding strips 17 are introduced in said clearances 16 as in fig. 8 likewise causing that the construction of also this embodiment of the invention advantageously obtains a durable and stable structure.

Fig. 13 and 14 shows a fragment of the construction according to the invention consisting of the frame structure being assembled in fig. 3 of the first and second embodiment of the first and second first bar 1' and 1" and of a window 15 and two juxtaposed panels 22.

In Fig. 13 is the wall seen into the direction towards the window 15 and in fig. 14 towards the panels.

Above is described and in the drawing shown that the wall is extending in one direction only. That limitation is due to the fact that the second embodiment of the first bar 1", which is extending perpendicular to the first embodiment of the first bar 1', is formed with hooks upon opposite sides only. Within the scope of the invention can the second embodiment of the first bar however be formed with hooks on three or four sides implying that the wall can extend into directions forming one or more angles with each other.

In such configurations the wall form can for example one or more compartments in a building, a summerhouse or a glass room in a garden.

The construction of the invention also doesn't need to form a wall but could e.g. be used as a ceiling, a guardrail or a board fence, and the construction is moreover well suited to be delivered as a construction kit for doing it yourself.

Claims

1. A construction consisting of a number of elements (15,22) and of a frame structure in form of a number of bars (1,6) connected to each other and abutting on at least one edge of at least one element (15,22), characterized in that the frame structure comprises,

at least one first bar (1) with preferably four sides of which at least a first one (2) is formed with at least two first groups (4) of longitudinal first hooks (5) placed at a distance from each other,

at least one angular second bar (6) consisting of a first flange (7) and a second flange (8) and equipped with a second group (9) of longitudinal second hooks (10) which are placed on the first flange (7) and fit into one of the first groups (4) of longitudinal first hooks (5) on the first bar ( 1 ) , and

at least one moulding strip (17) placed in the construction between the second flange (8) of the second bar (6) and at least one of the elements (15,22) .

2. A construction according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second hooks (10) are fitting into each other in such way that a clearance (16) is formed in the construction between an element (15,22) and the second flange (8) of the second bar (6) and that the moulding strip (17) is formed with a width larger than the width of said clearance (16) .

3. A construction according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first hooks (5) of one first group (4) are pointing towards the first hooks (5) of the opposite first group ( 4 ) .

4. A construction according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that at least one of the bars (1,6) of the frame structure is an extruded profile bar of e.g. aluminium or plastic.

5. A construction according to any of the claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the second hooks (10) of the second group (9) of the second bar (6) are pointing into the direction of the free edge of the first flange (7) .

6. A construction according to any of the claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the second hooks (10) of the second group (9) of the second bar (6) is pointing away from the free edge of the first flange (7) .

7. A construction according to any of the claims 1 - 6, characterized in that the number of hooks (5,10) in the first and/or second groups (4,9) of hooks (5,10) are at least two hooks (5,10).

8. A construction according to any of the claims 1 - 7, characterized in that the second flange (8) is formed with at least one inwards pointing barb (20) and/or the moulding strip (17) is formed with at least one outwards pointing barb (19) .

9. A construction according to any of the claims 1 - 8, characterized in that the frame structure comprises at least one third first bar (1) with hooks (5) formed on opposite sides.

10. A construction according to any of the claims 1 - 8, characterized in that the frame structure comprises at least one fourth first bar (1) with hooks (5) formed upon three sides.

11. A construction according to any of the claims 1 - 8, characterized in that the frame structure comprises at least one fifth first bar (1) with hooks (5) formed upon four sides.

12. A method for building the construction according to claims 1 - 11, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

placing the edge of at least one element (15,22) directly or indirectly upon the first side (2) of a first bar ( 1 ) ,

engaging one first group (4) of first hooks (5) on the first bar (1) with the second group of second hooks (10) on one second bar (6),

engaging the opposite first group (4) of first hooks (5) on the first bar (1) with the second group of second hooks (10) on another second bar (6), and placing at least one moulding strip (17) between the at least one element (15,22) and the second flange (8) of the two second bars (6) .

13. A method according to claim 12, characterized in that the edge of an element (15,22) is placed on the first side (2) of the first bar (1) .

14. A method according to claim 12, characterized in that a spacer (23) is placed on the first side (2) of the first bar (1) and that the edge of an element (15,22) is placed on the first side (2) of the first bar (1) on each side of the spacer (23) .

15. A use of the construction according to any of the claims 1 - 11 and/or to the method for mounting the construction according to any of the claims 12 - 14 for building a wall, e.g. a partition wall, a window or a display unit.