FR3125305A1 - Concealed fastening system - Google Patents

Abstract

Title Invisible fixing The invention relates to a fixing system (3) for securing a facing (1) comprising a groove (11) on a profile (2), the fixing system (3) comprising a body which comprises a base, the fastening system (3) comprising a support portion intended to be inserted into a groove (11) of the facing (1). Figure for abstract: Fig. 3A

Description

Concealed fastening system

The present invention relates to the field of fastening devices used to allow the attachment of a covering to joists or sections. It will find for particular application, the assembly or the assembly of different types of blades and/or facings to form a floor such as a terrace.

STATE OF THE ART

In the field of floors, more particularly of terraces, there are numerous solutions for allowing alignment and holding in position of facings against sections. The laying of the facings on the sections is generally carried out from a first end of the surface to be covered to a second end by fixing progressively and alternately, a floor facing, a fixing system, and another floor covering. The fastening system is a part that can generally be fixed integrally to the profile and cooperating with two adjacent facings to hold them in position.

This type of device has several drawbacks, such as the fact that it is difficult to position the fastening system with the profile.

To overcome this problem, there are solutions such as for example the document US2014096469A1 in which is disclosed a solution having a fastening system formed of a one-piece assembly having a base intended to be inserted into the groove of a profile. The one-piece assembly also having one end secured to the base and intended to be inserted into a groove of a facing board.

This solution has the disadvantage of being relatively complex to implement. Moreover, it turns out that in practice the reliability of the fixing of the facing to the profile is often unsatisfactory. An object of the present invention is therefore to propose a solution which makes it possible to eliminate or limit at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks.

There is therefore a need for a solution to improve the holding in position of a fastening system relative to a profile.

The other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a review of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It is understood that other benefits may be incorporated .

SUMMARY

To achieve this objective, according to one embodiment, a fixing system is provided for securing a facing comprising a groove on a profile, the fixing system comprising a body which comprises a base, the fixing system also comprising an element holding provided with a bearing portion intended to be inserted into a groove of the facing, the fixing system being characterized in that it comprises a second cooperation portion integral with the bearing portion and configured to cooperate by screwing with a first cooperation portion carried by the body, along an axis of rotation, so that the rotation of the bearing portion makes it possible to selectively move the bearing portion away from or bring the bearing portion closer to the body.

• une collerette située, en projection selon l’axe de rotation, à distance de la portion d’appui et entre la portion d’appui et l’embase, la collerette présentant une face inférieure tournée au regard d’une face supérieure de l’embase.

The fixing system also includes:

• a collar located, in projection along the axis of rotation, at a distance from the support portion and between the support portion and the base, the collar having a lower face facing an upper face of the base.

The collar being shaped so as to provide a space between said lower face of the collar and said upper face of the base, the space being intended to accommodate part of the profile,

• soutienne à elle seule, sans déformation, le poids du système de fixation lorsqu’elle est au contact du profilé,
• puisse se déformer élastiquement lorsqu’elle est au contact du profilé et qu’elle est soumise à un au moins effort exercé par un utilisateur, cet effort ayant au moins une composante parallèle à l’axe de rotation, la collerette étant solidaire en translation le long de l’axe de rotation de l’un parmi le corps et l’élément de maintien au moins sous l’effet dudit effort.

The system being configured so that the flange:

• alone supports, without deformation, the weight of the fastening system when it is in contact with the profile,
• can deform elastically when it is in contact with the profile and when it is subjected to at least one force exerted by a user, this force having at least one component parallel to the axis of rotation, the flange being integral in translation with the along the axis of rotation of one of the body and the holding element at least under the effect of said force.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to an assembly comprising a profile and the fixing system, configured so that in a connection configuration, at least a portion of the profile is arranged, preferably clamped or interposed, between the lower face of the collar and the upper face of the base to allow the connection or maintenance of the system with the profile, that is to say clamped in said space.

• une étape d’amenée du système de fixation dans une ouverture du profilé jusqu’à amener la collerette au contact du profilé, puis
  1. une étape au cours de laquelle l’utilisateur exerce, de préférence manuellement, sur l’élément de maintien un effort au moins en rotation selon l’axe de rotation de sorte à déformer la collerette en translation selon l’axe de rotation et à faire tourner l’embase autour de l’axe de rotation pour faire passer le système de fixation dans une configuration de solidarisation.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a method for securing a facing to a profile using the fastening system, the method comprising:

• a step of bringing the fastening system into an opening of the profile until the collar is brought into contact with the profile, then
  1. a step during which the user exerts, preferably manually, on the holding element a force at least in rotation along the axis of rotation so as to deform the flange in translation along the axis of rotation and to turn the base around the axis of rotation to pass the fixing system into a securing configuration.

Another aspect relates to a locking method in which when the fastening system is in the fastening configuration, the facing is positioned on the profile so that the bearing portion is facing a bearing face of the groove of the facing, so that the rotation of the holding element along the axis of rotation allows the bearing portion to approach against the groove until a pressure force sufficient to hold it in position is exerted thereon of the facing on the profile.

The proposed fastening system makes it considerably easier to install the facings. It also improves the precision and reliability of the installation.

Unlike other methods, the present invention allows an almost unlimited amplitude of approach of the bearing portion on the facing in order to ensure the maintenance of the facing on the profile whatever the dimension of the groove height and / or variations dimension of the facing.

Without the present invention, it would be necessary to propose a solution making it possible to optimize the step of maintaining the fastening system in the profile without an additional bolting element.

The present invention preferably makes it possible to avoid varying the dimensions of the fixing system in order to be able to adapt to the different thicknesses of facings available on the market.

Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to limit the production costs of a technical solution that can be adapted to different types of facings by proposing an adjustment according to the thickness of the trim elements that one wishes to position.

The present invention thus makes it possible to adjust the tightness of the facings according to different thicknesses. Indeed, in the case of wooden facings, the humidity level can have a significant influence on the thickness of the cladding element. In this case, the present solution allows an optimized adjustment of the tightening of the facings on the profiles.

This solution also makes it possible to limit the contact of the facing with the profile in order to avoid the retention of humidity between the facing and the profile. This also allows rapid and optimized drying of the profile, which can be made of wood or an absorbent material. Thus, the dimensional stability of the facing blades is improved.

This solution has an important advantage since it allows an optimized maintenance of the fastening system with the profile.

According to one example, when the support portion is rotated manually along the axis of rotation by the user, the collar deforms elastically in contact with the profile to allow the fastening system to reach the connection configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The aims, objects, as well as the characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge better from the detailed description of an embodiment of the latter which is illustrated by the following accompanying drawings in which:

There shows an example of a fastening system in a sectional view along a plane perpendicular to the second transverse direction.

There shows an enlarged view of the fastening system shown in .

There shows a perspective view of the fastening system shown in .

There shows a perspective view of an assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the assembly comprising a fastening system, a profile and a facing with the fastening system in a sliding configuration with the profile.

There represents a sectional view along a plane perpendicular to the second transverse direction of the assembly shown in .

There represents an enlarged view of a portion of the assembly shown in .

There shows a perspective view of the assembly comprising a profile, a facing and several fastening systems, some of which cooperate with the profile and/or the facing, the assembly being in a fastening configuration.

There represents a sectional view along a plane perpendicular to the second transverse direction of the assembly represented in .

There represents a zoomed view of the assembly represented in .

There shows a sectional view of an example of an assembly in a connection configuration in which the collar and the body are two separate parts from each other.

THE to 4C represent an example of a fastening system whose base has lugs forming a cam profile.

There shows a perspective view of an example of an assembly in a joining configuration in which the section includes perforations.

The drawings are given by way of examples and do not limit the invention. They constitute schematic representations of principle intended to facilitate understanding of the invention and are not necessarily scaled to practical applications.

Claims (25)

Fixing system (3) for securing a facing (1) comprising a groove (11) on a profile (2), the fixing system (3) comprising a body (31) which comprises a base (313), the fixing system (3) also comprising a holding element (32) provided with a support portion (321a) intended to be inserted into a groove (11) of the facing (1), the fixing system (3 ) being characterized in that it comprises a second cooperation portion (322) integral with the support portion (321a) and configured to cooperate by screwing with a first cooperation portion (312) carried by the body (31), along an axis of rotation (Z₃₂), so that the rotation of the support portion (321a) makes it possible to selectively move the support portion (321a) away from or bring it closer to the body (31),
the fixing system (3) also comprising:

• a flange (311) located, in projection along the axis of rotation (Z ₃₂ ), at a distance from the bearing portion (321a) and between the bearing portion (321a) and the base (313), the flange (311) having a lower face (311a) facing an upper face (313a) of the base (313),

the collar (311) being shaped so as to provide a space (317) between said lower face (311a) of the collar (311) and said upper face (313a) of the base (313), the space (317) being intended to house part of the profile (2),
the system (3) being configured so that the collar (311):

• alone supports, without deformation, the weight of the fastening system (3) when it is in contact with the profile (2),
• can deform elastically when it is in contact with the profile (2) and when it is subjected to at least the force exerted by a user, this force having at least one component parallel to the axis of rotation (Z ₃₂ ), the collar (311) being integral in translation along the axis of rotation (Z32) of one of the body (31) and the retaining element (32) at least under the effect of said force.

Fastening system (3) according to the preceding claim, in which the space (317) has a space height (Z ₃₁₇ ) measured in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation (Z ₃₂ ) greater than or equal to 2 mm ( 10 ^-3 meters), the space (317) having a space width (Y ₃₁₇ ) measured in a first transverse direction (Y) from an edge (311b) of the collar (311) greater than or equal to 2 mm, the first transverse direction (Y) being perpendicular to the axis of rotation (Z ₃₂ ). Fixing system (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the base (313) has a base width (Y313) in a first transverse direction (Y) and a base depth (X313) in a second transverse direction (X) perpendicular to the first transverse direction (Y), the first transverse direction (Y) and the second transverse direction (X) being perpendicular to the axis of rotation (Z ₃₂ ), the base width ( Y313) being greater than the base depth (X313) and preferably, the base width (Y313) is greater than or equal to twice the base depth (X313). Assembly comprising a profile (2) extending in a main direction and a fastening system (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, configured so that in a connection configuration, at least a portion of the profile (2) is arranged in said space (317), preferably interposed, between the lower face (311a) of the flange (311) and the upper face of the base (313a) to allow the maintenance of the system (3) with the profile ( 2). Assembly according to the preceding claim comprising a facing (1) comprising a groove (11), configured to receive part of the support portion (321a), the assembly being configured so that at least a portion of the facing (1) is clamped between the support portion (321a) and the profile (2). Assembly according to the preceding claim in which, in the clamping configuration, the support portion (321a) exerts a pressure force on a support face (111) of the groove (11) in order to allow the attachment of the facing ( 1) against the profile (2), the facing (1) and the profile (2) preferably being directly in contact. Assembly according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, in which the section (2) has, in section along a plane perpendicular to its main direction of extension, a U-shaped section having two ends (21) and of which at least one of the two ends (21) is folded towards the inside of the U so as to form at least one lip (211) capable of being arranged, preferably sandwiched between said lower face (311a) of the flange (311) and said upper face of the base (313a). Assembly according to any one of Claims 4 to 7, in which, in the connection configuration, the flange (311) is configured to cooperate with the profile (2) without there being any contact between the facing (1 ) and the collar (311). Assembly according to any one of Claims 4 to 8, in which the profile (2) has at least two upper support zones (21a) defining a plane on which the facing (1) rests, the profile (2) also having at at least two lower support zones (21b), vertically located below the upper support zones (21a), the assembly being configured so that in a connection configuration, the flange (311) rests on the two support zones lower supports (21b) while leaving the upper support surfaces (21a) free. Assembly according to any one of Claims 4 to 9, in which the section (2) has an opening (22) having a width and a length, the length of the opening (22) preferably being substantially identical to the length of the section (2), the body (31) of the fastening system (3) being shaped so that:

• the body (31) enters the opening (22) by a vertical movement when the body (31) has relative to the section (2) an angular orientation corresponding to a supply configuration;
• the body (31) cannot penetrate into the opening (22) by a vertical displacement at least when the body (31) presents with respect to the profile (2) an angular orientation oriented by 90° with respect to the configuration of brought.

Assembly according to any one of Claims 4 to 10, in which the body (31) is configured so as to be able to slide in the opening (22) along the main direction of extension of the profile (2). Assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 11 configured so that when the base (313) is inserted into an opening (22) of the profile (2), the fastening system (3) is supported by the profile (2) resting on the flange (311), preferably resting only on the flange (311). Assembly according to any one of Claims 4 to 12, in which the body (31) comprises at least one lug (315) extending from the upper face of the base (313a) and configured to penetrate into a housing (23) carried by the section (2) when the fastening system (3) is brought by the user from a sliding configuration the fastening part (3) in the opening (22) up to the fastening configuration and preferably , the lug (315) is configured to be inserted and/or removed from the housing (23) by elastic deformation of the collar (311). Assembly according to the preceding claim, in which the lug (315) is configured to be inserted and/or removed from the housing (23) by, preferably only by:

• an elastic deformation of the collar (311) under the effect of a pressure force exerted by the user on the holding element (32), preferably manually, along the axis of rotation (Z ₃₂ ),
• then a rotational force exerted by the user on the holding element (32), preferably manually, along the axis of rotation (Z ₃₂ ).

Assembly according to any one of Claims 4 to 14, in which the lug (315) has an inclined slope forming a cam profile, the cam profile being shaped so that when the user exerts on the maintaining (32), preferably manually, a rotational force along the axis of rotation (Z ₃₂ ) in a first direction, the lug (315) moves the upper face of the base (313a) away from the section (2). Assembly according to any one of Claims 4 to 15, in which the collar (311) is integral with the base (313), preferably the collar (311) and the base (313) together form a single piece, of preferably from the same material. Assembly according to any one of Claims 4 to 16, in which the flange (311) is carried only by the retaining element (32), preferably, the flange (311) and the retaining element (32) have a relative friction which prevents the collar (311) from sliding along the axis of rotation Z ₃₂ under the effect of its weight, and preferably under the effect of said force exerted by the user. Assembly according to any one of Claims 4 to 17, in which the profile (2) comprises an opening (22) having at least one wall (22a) and the base (313) comprises an abutment element (313b) configured so to stop the rotation of the fastening system (3) in the opening (22) when the user rotates the fastening system (3) in the opening (22) around the axis of rotation (Z ₃₂ ) and that the fixing system (3) reaches, vis-à-vis the section (2), a given angular position corresponding to the connection configuration. Assembly according to any one of Claims 4 to 18, in which the body (31) is configured so as to be able to rotate by a maximum of 80 degrees relative to the section (2) along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation (Z ₃₂ ) before the stop element (313b) stops this rotation by coming into contact with the wall (22a) of the profile (2). Assembly according to any one of Claims 4 to 19, in which the screw-nut connection between the holding element (32) and the body (31) is configured so as to present friction:

• high enough so that when the fastening system is not in the securing configuration and when the holding element (32) is rotated along the axis of rotation (Z ₃₂ ), by a user, the body (31) is also driven in rotation along the axis of rotation (Z ₃₂ ),
• weak enough so that, when the fastening system is in the securing configuration and the holding element (32) is driven in rotation about the axis of rotation (Z ₃₂ ), by a user, the holding element (32) rotates relative to the body (31) thus allowing screwing of the retaining element (32) on the body (31), preferably by maintaining the body (31) immobile in rotation along the axis of rotation ( _Z32 ).

Assembly according to any one of Claims 4 to 20, in which the profile (2) comprises an opening (22) having perforations (22b) at the bottom of the opening (22) so as to facilitate ventilation of the profile (2) and the evacuation of any water that might stagnate there. Method for securing a facing to a profile (2) using a fastening system (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

• the method comprising:
  • a step of bringing the fastening system (3) into an opening of the profile (2) until the collar (311) is brought into contact with the profile (2), then
  • a step during which the user exerts, preferably manually, on the holding element (2) a force at least in rotation along the axis of rotation (Z ₃₂ ) so as to deform the collar (311) in translation along the axis of rotation (Z ₃₂ ) and in rotating the base (313) around the axis of rotation (Z ₃₂ ) to cause the fixing system (3) to pass into a securing configuration.

Securing method according to the preceding claim, in which said effort exerted by the user comprises at least:

• a force in translation along the axis of rotation (Z32), the force in translation deforming the flange (311) in translation along the axis of rotation (Z32), and
• said force in rotation along the axis of rotation (Z ₃₂ ) to rotate the base (313) around the axis of rotation (Z ₃₂ ).

Securing method according to Claim 22, in which the said force exerted by the user comprises, preferably only, the said force in rotation along the axis of rotation (Z ₃₂ ) to cause the base (313) to rotate around the axis of rotation (Z ₃₂ ), said rotation force allowing a cam profile carried by the lug to deform the collar (311) in translation along the axis of rotation (Z ₃₂ ). Securing method according to any one of Claims 22 to 24, in which when the fixing system is in the securing configuration, the facing (1) is positioned on the profile (2) so that the portion of support (321a) is facing a support face (111) of the groove (11) of the facing (1) so that the rotation of the holding element (32) along the axis of rotation (Z ₃₂ ) allows a bringing together of the bearing portion (321) against the groove (11) until it exerts a sufficient pressure force to hold the facing (1) in position on the profile (2).