EP0829590A1 - Framework, specially supporting false ceilings - Google Patents

Abstract

The support frame is constituted by rails (1,1a,1b) having a tubular structure defining an internal cavity (2). Inside the cavity are anchorages (3) able to receive fluid distribution circuits and/or other building technical equipment. The rails are constituted by carrier rails (1a) and strut rails (1b). The carrier rails have on their sides (4), windows (5) able to emerge inside the strut rails. Either side the windows are slots (6) enabling the fixing of the strut rails by hooks (7) at their longitudinal end.

Description

The present invention relates to an armature, in particular intended for supporting false ceilings.

However, although more specifically intended for such applications, it can also equip, for example, ceilings sufficient in itself and, in general, will thus find its uses in all types of buildings, such as office buildings, hospitals, large areas or other.

Currently, when building and / or renovating premises, we often installs false ceilings, consisting of tiles supported by solid rails, distributed according to a given mesh.

Said false ceilings allow, for example, to hide the different fluid distribution circuits such as, in particular, sheaths, pipes and / or cables usually arranged between the false ceiling and the gross ceiling.

However, such false ceilings have many disadvantages. Indeed, in the event of intervention to be carried out on one of said circuits, it is then necessary to lift said slabs, at the risk of damaging them. In addition, said false ceilings also serving as supports for strips of insulating material such as glass wool, said circuits are generally arranged in the middle of said strips and are difficult to access.

We can also notice that, during construction, said false ceilings allow successive trades to install said circuits side by side, without order or care, the latter being hidden, which makes any maintenance work even more complex.

In addition, the installation of various pieces of equipment techniques encountered at this level, such as, in particular, lighting devices, air conditioning, fire protection and / or others requires a cutting said false ceilings, often tedious and unattractive.

It should also be noted that the installation and / or modifications technical equipment in false ceilings currently known are generally difficult and that the latter have, in addition, a certain fragility.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a frame, especially intended for supporting false ceilings, which overcomes the disadvantages above and allows to hide the various fluid distribution circuits usually encountered in buildings at this level while facilitating their access.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reinforcement, in particular intended for the support of false ceilings, which allows also to accommodate elements of technical equipment for buildings.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reinforcement, in particular intended for supporting false ceilings, which is easily modular.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reinforcement, in particular intended for supporting false ceilings, which has a reinforced rigidity.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reinforcement, in particular intended for supporting false ceilings, the installation of which be facilitated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reinforcement, in particular intended for supporting false ceilings, which has a neat aesthetic appearance and allows to harmonize the technical equipment of premises in which it is installed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reinforcement, in particular intended for the support of false ceilings, which can meet the construction standards usually used in the building.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear during the description which follows which is given only as indicative and which is not intended to limit it.

The present invention relates to an armature, in particular intended for supporting suspended ceilings, consisting of at least distributed rails according to a given configuration, characterized in that said rails have a tubular structure defining an internal cavity, comprising, at inside said cavity, hooking means so as to be able to accommodate at least fluid distribution circuits and / or first elements of technical equipment for buildings.

• la figure 1 est une vue éclatée décrivant en perspective un exemple d'armature conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue de dessous illustrant un exemple de faux-plafond obtenu grâce à une armature conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 3 est une coupe latérale illustrant la section d'un rail d'une armature conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 4 est une vue de la section représentée à la figure 3 munie d'un premier exemple de réalisation de circuit de distribution de fluide et/ou de premier élément d'équipement technique de bâtiment pouvant être installé au niveau d'une armature conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 5 est une vue de la section représentée à la figure 3 munie d'un deuxième exemple de réalisation de circuit de distribution de fluide et/ou d'élément d'équipement technique de bâtiment pouvant être installé au niveau d'une armature conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 6 est une vue de la section représentée à la figure 3 munie d'un troisième exemple de réalisation de circuit de distribution de fluide et/ou d'élément d'équipement technique de bâtiment pouvant être installé au niveau d'une armature conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 7 est une vue de la section représentée à la figure 3 munie d'un quatrième exemple de réalisation de circuit de distribution de fluide et/ou d'élément d'équipement technique de bâtiment pouvant être installé au niveau d'une armature conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 8 est une vue de la section représentée à la figure 3 munie d'un cinquième exemple de réalisation de circuit de distribution de fluide et/ou d'élément d'équipement technique de bâtiment pouvant être installé au niveau d'une armature conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 9 est une vue de la section représentée à la figure 3, munie d'un sixième exemple de réalisation de circuit de distribution de fluide et/ou d'élément d'équipement technique de bâtiment pouvant être installé au niveau de l'armature conforme à l'invention.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the following description accompanied by the attached drawings which form an integral part thereof and among which:

• FIG. 1 is an exploded view describing in perspective an example of reinforcement according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a bottom view illustrating an example of a false ceiling obtained by means of a frame according to the invention,
• FIG. 3 is a side section illustrating the section of a rail of a frame according to the invention,
• Figure 4 is a view of the section shown in Figure 3 provided with a first embodiment of the fluid distribution circuit and / or first element of technical building equipment can be installed at a compliant frame to the invention,
• Figure 5 is a view of the section shown in Figure 3 provided with a second embodiment of the fluid distribution circuit and / or element of technical building equipment can be installed at a compliant frame to the invention,
• Figure 6 is a view of the section shown in Figure 3 provided with a third embodiment of the fluid distribution circuit and / or element of technical building equipment can be installed at a compliant frame to the invention,
• Figure 7 is a view of the section shown in Figure 3 provided with a fourth embodiment of the fluid distribution circuit and / or element of technical building equipment can be installed at a compliant frame to the invention,
• Figure 8 is a view of the section shown in Figure 3 provided with a fifth embodiment of the fluid distribution circuit and / or element of technical building equipment can be installed at a compliant frame to the invention,
• Figure 9 is a view of the section shown in Figure 3, with a sixth embodiment of the fluid distribution circuit and / or element of technical building equipment can be installed at the frame according to the invention.

The present invention relates to an armature, in particular intended for supporting false ceilings. Although more specifically planned for such applications, it may also be self-sufficient and equip premises without false ceilings.

As shown in Figure 1, the reinforcement according to the invention consists of at least rails 1; 1a, 1b, distributed according to a given configuration. Said rails 1a, 1b are provided, in particular, at the level from the ceiling of the premises they must equip and are arranged, for example, substantially parallel to said ceiling.

According to the invention, said rails 1a, 1b have a structure tubular defining an internal cavity 2. In addition, said rails 1a, 1b, comprise, inside said cavity 2, attachment means 3 for so as to be able to accommodate at least fluid distribution circuits and / or the first elements of technical building equipment.

The frame according to the invention can thus be provided, by example, electrical wiring, air circulation ducts, water supply pipes, lighting elements, fire protection and / or others.

As developed below, said rails 1a, 1b are by example, of reduced section.

Furthermore, said rails consist, at least, of first rails 1a, called support rails, and second rails 1b said spacer rails, suitable for intersect, said internal cavities 2 of each of said support rails 1a and spacers 1b communicating with each other so as to define a network of conduits corresponding, at least partially, to said configuration.

As shown in Figure 2, said configuration is constituted, in particular, by a substantially square mesh. Support rails la are arranged, for example, in a first direction and cross the room to be equipped by being regularly spaced from each other. Rails spacers 1b are arranged in a second direction, orthogonal to the first, and are regularly spaced between said support rails 1a.

Referring again to FIG. 1, it can be seen that, according to the embodiment shown, there is provision, at each intersection, two different spacer rails 1b, in the extension of one another around of a supporting rail 1a.

Said supporting rails 1a have, for example, on their lateral sides 4 of windows 5, capable of opening out inside said rails spacers 1b, and, on either side of said windows 5, of the first slots 6, capable of allowing the fixing of said spacer rails 1b by means of hooks 7 provided at the longitudinal end of said spacer rails 1b.

Said windows 5 are, in particular, regularly spaced on the supporting rail 1a, according to the pitch defined by the mesh formed by the armature according to the invention, or a multiple of said pitch.

On this subject, in the case of the application of the invention to the support false ceilings, said frame possibly includes, furthermore, between said support rails 1a and / or between said spacer rails 1b, rods supports 8, capable of reducing the pitch of the mesh. Said support rods 8 thus allow the use of slabs with smaller surfaces to constitute said false ceiling.

Said support rods 8 are, for example, fixed on said rails 1a, 1b at second slots 9, provided on their sides side 4, by means of hooks secured to each end said support rods 8.

According to the embodiment shown, said rails spacers 1b and said support rods 8 cooperate with said rails carriers 1a, in particular, by clipping into their respective slots 6, 9.

If we now refer to Figure 2, we see that said support rods 8 share, for example, the squares defined by two supporting rails 1a and two spacer rails 1b contiguous in four squares equal and reduce the mesh pitch by two.

By way of nonlimiting example, the armature according to the invention thus allows to support false ceiling tiles of 600 mm x 600 mm, 1,200 mm x 1,200 mm and / or according to another configuration, 600 x 1,200 mm.

Referring to Figures 3 to 7, we see that the means attachment 3 are constituted for example by the inner profile of said internal cavity 2, in particular provided angular, able to cooperate with support means 10 for said fluid distribution circuits and / or said first elements of residential equipment. Said attachment means 3 are thus constituted, for example, by two shoulders 11, provided on the lateral sides 4 of said rails 1, over the entire length of the latter.

Said support means 10 can therefore be subject to the interior of said rails 1, in particular thanks to said shoulders 11 and are equipped, for example, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, with pre-wiring 12, and / or allow the maintenance, as shown in Figure 6, of first lighting means 13, and / or, as shown in FIG. 7, water inlet pipes 14 for fire protection and / or air circulation for air conditioning.

More specifically, if we refer to Figures 4 and 5, we notes that, according to the illustrated embodiment, the support means 10 are consisting, for example, of a block 16 provided with a five-phase pre-wiring, forming, in particular, a female connector. Said block 16 is hooked, by example by clipping, at the holes provided on the upper side of said rails 1, thanks to a projection 17.

According to FIG. 4, said block 16 is also hooked to the interior of said rails 1 via two wings 18, allowing the clipping of said block 16 on said shoulders 11. In addition, according to this mode embodiment, said block 16 is provided with a pipe guide 19. Furthermore, as illustrated by FIG. 6, said wings 18 can also be used, optionally, cable guide.

According to FIG. 5, in order to complete the pre-wiring, said block female 16 is equipped, for example, with a male connector 20.

Such pre-wiring allows good modularity of the electrical distribution. Indeed, one could provide, for example, female connectors 16, at the level of the spacer rails 1b, supplied by via male connectors 20 plugged into connectors females 16, provided at said carrier rails 1a, in the vicinity of their intersection, other connectors, powered by the first, which can be disposed at any point of said rails 1a, 1b. Said connectors along a same carrier rail 1a are, for example, interconnected and connected to the sector, by means of a connection terminal provided at the end of said support rail 1a.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, said support means 10 are also constituted, in particular, by two wings 21, snapped onto said shoulders 11, provided with a profile pipe guide 19 similar to that previously encountered at block 16 in order to allow said pipes to be maintained 14.

If we refer again to Figure 1, we see that said rails 1a, 1b consist, in particular, of a body 23, defining a lower opening 24, and a cover 25, capable of closing, at least partially, said opening 24.

Said body 23 is provided, at the level of the lower opening 24, on each of its lateral flanks 4 and all along the rail 1a, 1b, of returns 26, oriented towards the upper side of said rail 1a, 1b, so as to allow the clipping of the cover 25, itself provided with corresponding flanges 27.

According to the different examples of implementation, the covers are not necessarily provided over the entire length of the rails 1a, 1b nor even on all of said rails 1a, 1b. Indeed, as developed further, they may be replaced, in particular, by grids intended for the passage of air conditioning and / or lighting distribution.

On this subject, if we refer to Figure 6, we see that said first lighting means can be accommodated in said cavity internal 2 consist, for example, of a support plate 28, hooked by clipping into said rail 1 at said returns 26 provided on the body 23 of said rails 1a, 1b. Said plates are provided, in particular, with a connector male 29, able to cooperate with female connectors 16. In addition, said plates 28 are equipped, for example, with fluorescent tubes 30.

Said first lighting means 13 comprise also, for example, a clip-on grid 50, as mentioned above, at level of the opening 24 of the body 23 of said rails 1.

According to other non-illustrated embodiments, it should be noted that said internal cavity 2 could also accommodate, in particular, alarm, sound or other devices and / or could be used to the attachment of an internal partitioning of the building.

However, if we refer again to Figure 1, we notes that said rails 1a, 1b are provided with hubcaps 31, suitable, on the one hand, closing said opening 24 at the intersection of said rails 1a, 1b and / or, on the other hand, to constitute support means for second elements technical building equipment.

Said hubcaps 31 consist, for example, of synthetic material and have, in particular, an outline 32, suitable for snap onto said rails 1a, 1b and defining a light of given diameter, as well as, optionally, a reduction gear 33 capable of reducing the diameter of said light so as to allow the hanging of hanging rods said second means of technical equipment for buildings.

When said hubcaps 31 are not so used, they further comprise a shutter 5 6 capable of blocking said lights.

The hubcaps 31 have the advantage of strengthening the stability of the reinforcement according to the invention and also participate in its aesthetic appearance.

As a remark, the frame according to the invention can also include, optionally, hubcaps 31, clipped onto the rails 1a, 1b in places other than the intersections of the supporting rails la with the spacer rails 1b, as illustrated in Figure 2.

Said second interior equipment elements are made, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, of second means lighting 34, and / or as shown in FIG. 7, of fire-fighting bodies such as in particular, water diffusion nozzles 35, detectors smoke or other. Said hubcaps 31 are also suitable, moreover, for example, to support, uprights of shelves and / or columns of electrical distribution.

If we refer more specifically to Figure 8, we see that said second lighting means 34 consist for example of a fluorescent tube 36 and a deflector 37, subject to the hubcaps 31 by via two suspension rods 51. According to other modes of embodiment, said fluorescent tube can also be provided, optionally, at the level of the internal cavity 2 of the rails 1.

Said hubcaps 31 can also, optionally, accommodate recessed lamps and / or support adjustable spotlights.

If we now refer to Figure 9, we see that said air conditioning ducts 15 can be accommodated at the level of the internal cavity 2 are formed, for example, by said rails 1 themselves.

Air conditioning is then achieved, in particular, thanks to a light 38, provided on the upper side of said rails 1 allowing the attachment of the building's air distribution circuit 40. The watertightness of said air circulation is ensured for example, by means of seals arranged at the ends of said rails 1 constituting the sheaths 15 and / or around said lights 38.

An air flow deflector 39 is provided at the end of the circuit air distribution 40 of the building, in said cavity 2, so as to favor a good distribution of the air flow inside the latter, according to the arrows marked 52, 53.

Said sheaths 15 are provided, at the opening 24 said rails 1, for example, a grid 54, possibly equipped with a filter 55.

Naturally, for safety reasons, each rail 1 present a given function and thus avoid circulating by a same rail 1, several different fluids.

If we refer again to Figure 3, we see that said rails 1 have, for example, over their entire length, at their lateral flanks 4, a groove 41, capable of allowing the support of slabs 42 false ceilings. Said groove has, for example, orthogonal flanks and allows both to define internally said shoulders 11 and, externally to support said slabs 42.

By way of nonlimiting example, the section of said rails 1 fits substantially in a rectangle, in particular with maximum dimensions of 100 mm high x 100 mm wide and, for example, 80 mm x 75 mm .. It is thus able to accommodate technical equipment for large buildings now available while offering a reduced footprint.

All of its sides form between them, for example right angles. Their thickness is, in particular, about 0.5 mm.

As for the groove 41, it has, for example, a depth of about 7 mm.

In the case of supporting slabs 42 of false ceilings, said rails 1a, 1b are, possibly covered with an insulating material in order to avoid the formation of phonic bridges.

If we refer again to Figure 1, we see that they are subject to the ceiling of the room they equip, for example, thanks to suspension stirrups 43, in particular in spring steel to allow the clipping.

In the same figure, it can be noted that the body 23 of said support rails 1a is provided, at the edges 44 of its lateral flanks 4 provided under said groove 41, of cutouts 45, able to cooperate with the edges 44 correspondents of the spacer rails 1b, said cutouts 45 having, locally, a widening, allowing the passage of the hubcaps 25 of said spacer rails 1b.

As a remark, we can see that, according to the mode of illustrated embodiment, said frame can be mounted entirely by clipping and therefore does not require the use of tools.

An example of making frames fitted with first means 13 and / or second lighting means 34 as well as sheaths air conditioning 15, fire-fighting diffusion nozzles 35, lighting spots 46 and / or smoke detectors 47 is given in FIG. 2. The ducts 15 of air conditioning alternately allow blowing and / or suction of air.

Naturally, other modes of implementation, within reach skilled in the art, could have been envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (10)

Reinforcement, in particular intended for the support of false ceilings, made up of at least rails, distributed according to a given configuration, characterized in that said rails (1; 1a, 1b) have a structure tubular defining an internal cavity (2) comprising, inside said cavity (2), attachment means (3) so as to be able to accommodate the less fluid distribution circuits and / or first elements technical equipment for buildings. Reinforcement according to claim 1, wherein said rails (1; 1a, 1b) are of reduced section. Reinforcement according to claim 1, wherein said rails consist at least of first rails (1a) called carrier rails, and second rails (1b) called spacer rails, capable of intersecting, the cavities internal (2) of each of said support rails (1a) and spacers (1b) communicating with each other so as to define a network of conduits corresponding, at least partially, to said configuration. Reinforcement according to claim 3, wherein said rails carriers (la) have, on their lateral flanks (4), windows (5), suitable for lead to the interior of said spacer rails (1b) and, on either side of said windows (5) of the first slots (6) capable of allowing fixing said spacer rails (1b) by means of hooks (7) provided at the longitudinal end of said spacer rails (1b). Reinforcement according to claim 1, in which the means attachment (3) are formed by the inner profile of said internal cavity (2), able to cooperate with support means (10) of said circuits distribution of fluid and / or said first pieces of technical equipment of building. The frame of claim 5, wherein said support means (10) are equipped with electrical pre-wiring (12) and / or allow the maintenance of water inlet pipes (14) for protection fire and / or air circulation ducts (15) for air conditioning and / or first lighting means (13). The frame of claim 5, wherein said attachment means (3) consist of at least two shoulders (11) provided on the lateral flanks (4) of said rails (1; 1a, 1b), over the entire length said rails (1; 1a, 1b). Reinforcement according to claim 3, wherein said rails (1; 1a, 1b) consist of a body (23) defining a lower opening (24), and a cover (25), capable of closing, at least partially, said opening (24). The frame of claim 8, wherein said rails (1; 1a, 1b) are provided with hubcaps (31), capable on the one hand, of closing said opening (24) at the intersection of said rails (1a, 1b) and / or secondly, to constitute support means for second elements technical building equipment. Reinforcement according to claim 1, wherein said rails (1; 1a, 1b) present over their entire length, at their sides lateral (4) a groove (41) adapted to allow the support of tiles (42) of false ceilings.

Images