CONNECTION FOR WALL ELEMENTS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of connection assemblies for wall elements.

[0002] An assembly according to the preamble of claim 1 is described in EP-A- 1.236.836, which is a document under Art. 54(3) EPC.

[0003] From Belgian patent specification 1.007.949 a connection assembly for a corner in a wall of for instance a fence or garden or summer house is known, which comprises a coupling profile with which pairs of wall units can be connected one to the other, the coupling profile being situated at the outside of the wall units. The coupling member is a turned wooden strip, the longitudinal edges of which having edges standing away inwardly, defining a recess at the inside of the strip. The wall units to be connected have recesses at their respective ends which recesses fit over the upright longitudinal edges and the respective ends are provided with inclined edges which in the assembled situation of the connection assembly abut each other in the recess.

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved connection.

[0005] It is a further object of the invention to provide a connection for wall elements that is versatile.

[0006] The invention to that end provides an assemby as described in claim 1. Thus a connection is provided in which the coupling profile has a load-bearing function and in which the cover profile has a covering function: a separation of functions is the result . As a result a free choice in material for the cover profile is obtained, and a for instance less strong material can be chosen for it.

[0007] A preferred embodiment is described in claim 2.

[0008] US patent 2.934.179 discloses a complicated connection structure between wall elements, the connection structure comprising a central supporting element, two clamping elements and a cover. The wall elements remain spaced from each other.

[0009] US patent 2.363.164 figure 5, shows a connection between wall elements comprising a connection assembly comprising two profiles that are connected to each other by means of a bolt and a filler. The filler and parts of the profiles are located between the wall elements.

[0010] The cover profile is situated on the other side of the coupling profile than the side of the coupling profile where the wall elements meet. In this way the coupling profile can have a relatively simple form and the connection assembly can have a relatively simple structure. Both sides of the coupling profile can be used.

[0011] Covering can take place with a number of cover profiles that connect to each other. Preferably the cover profile extends over the pairs of wall elements in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the wall elements. This provides the advantage that in principle one single cover profile suffices for all pairs of wall elements forming one connection. This simplifies the arrangement of the cover profile and provides an elegant design. Moreover the coupling profile is protected against influences of the environment, such as weather conditions or mechanical influences (such as for instance a lawnmower riding against the coupling profile). This improves the durability of the connection.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the connection the coupling profile is made of a rigid material, preferably of metal. The connection assembly known from Belgian patent specification 1.007.949, and consisting entirely from wood for use in for instance a garden or summer house, has the possible drawback that the (parquet) floor of the garden house pushes the upright walls apart. This effect is increased in larger garden houses. Particularly in larger garden houses the strength is insufficient to counteract this pushing apart. Using a coupling profile from a rigid material, such as metal (for instance aluminium), improves the strength of the connection considerably and reduces, particularly in the case of larger garden houses, the pushing apart of the wall elements.

[0013] In an advantageous manner the wall elements are made of wood. In particular for garden houses using any wanted kind of wood for wall elements is desirable.

[0014] Preferably the cover profile is (also) made of any wanted kind of wood. In this way the look is created of a house that is made entirely of wood, whereas this may (as a result of the cover profile not visibly) be reinforced by means of a coupling profile, of for instance metal. The choice of material for the wall element and cover profile is after all free.

[0015] Preferably the coupling profile at the cover side forms an angle of > 180°.

[0016] Preferably the coupling profile is straight.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment the coupling profile is provided with an outermost recess for accommodating the cover profile and with an innermost recess for accommodating the ends of the parts to be connected.

[0018] Preferably the outermost recess is here limited to either side by two outermost legs, the longitudinal edges of the cover profile being provided with respective recesses to fit over the respective outermost legs, and in that the innermost recess is limited to either side by two innermost legs, the ends of the parts to be connected being provided with respective recesses to fit over the respective innermost legs. The outermost legs and the recesses in the cover profile cooperating with it here form connection means for the cover profile and the coupling profile. The innermost legs and the recesses in the parts to be connected cooperating with it form connection means for the pairs of parts to be connected and the coupling profile.

[0019] Preferably the outermost legs have a squared buckle. The outermost and/or innermost legs can be arranged perpendicularly to the base surface of the outermost recess and the innermost recess, respectively.

[0020] Preferably the assembly further comprises a pair of lower edge members, which lower edge members can be coupled in pairs by means of the coupling profile. The lower edge members increase the strength. The coupling profile has got an extra function here: coupling the lower edge members. The cover profile may possibly also cover the lower edge members.

[0021] In the assembly with lower edge members, the optional innermost recess is preferably also adapted for accommodating the ends of the lower edge members. The ends of the lower edge members can be provided with respective recesses to fit over the respective innermost legs. The innermost legs and the recesses in the lower edge members cooperating with it form connection means for the lower edge members and the coupling profile. Thus a firmer connection is provided in comparison to a connection in which the lower edge members and the coupling profile have not been coupled.

[0022] It is noted that from British patent specification 245.035 a corner connection for wooden houses is known, in which for each two wall panels meeting each other, a coupling element is used. The connection is covered by two cover panels that are attached to the wall panels.

[0023] An exemplary embodiment of the invention will below be elucidated by way of example on the basis of the figures.

Figure 1A shows a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the connection assembly according to the invention.

Figure 1B shows the same top view as figure 1A, however in disassembled situation of the various parts.

Figure 2 shows a similar connection assembly as shown in the figures 1A and 1B, however with a larger angle of the coupling profile on the side of the wall elements.

Figures 3A and 3B show in perspective view an exemplary embodiment of a connection assembly according to the invention having lower edge members.

[0024] Figure 1A and 1B show in top view a connection assembly 1 which comprises: a pair of wall elements 10a,b connected to each other, a continuous coupling profile 30 and a cover profile 40.

[0025] The coupling profile 30 comprises an innermost recess 31 having innermost legs 32a and 32b, as well as an outermost recess 33 having outermost legs 34a and 34b. The outermost legs 34a, 34b have a respective squared buckle 35a, 35b. The innermost recess 31 comprises an L-shaped base surface 36 and the outermost recess 33 comprises an L-shaped base surface 37. In this exemplary embodiment the coupling profile 30 has been manufactured as one unity from extrusion aluminium. Alternatively the innermost legs 32a, 32b as well as the outermost legs 34a, 34b can be welded to the coupling profile 30. Alternatively one of the innermost legs 32a, 32b or outermost legs 34a, 34b can also be a turned edge of the coupling profile 30.

[0026] The pairs of wall elements 10a, 10b connected to each other have respective ends 11a, 11b with respective recesses 12a, 12b arranged in there. The innermost legs 32a, 32b fit into the recesses 12a, 12b. The ends 11a, 11b have respective head surfaces 13a, 13b which abut each other in the connection assembly 1. The recesses 12a, 12b, the innermost legs 32a, 32b and the inclined head surfaces 13a, 13b form connection means to connect the wall elements 10a, 10b and the coupling profile 30 one to the other. In general the angles β and γ will be of equal size here, and equal to α/2, in which the angles β and γ are the angles with which the respective head surfaces 13, 13b have been bevelled as indicated in figure 1B, and in which the angle α is the angle forming the coupling profile 30 on the side of the wall elements 10a, 10b to be connected. The angles β and γ are the respective angles the inclined head surfaces 13a, 13b make with the respective surfaces that are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the respective wall elements 10a, 10b.

[0027] The cover profile 40 has ends 41a, 41b, respectively, in which recesses 42a, 42b have been made, respectively, which fit over the outermost legs 34a, 34b. Together the outermost legs 34a, 34b and the recesses 42a, 42b form the connection means for the cover profile 40 and the coupling profile 30. It is noted that the cover profile 40 may alternatively be made from two parts: an innermost profile 43 and an outermost profile 44 which for instance are connected by means of nails or by means of gluing. The separation between such parts is indicated by a dashed line in figure 1A and 1B. A structure from two parts 43, 44 may be preferred from a production technical point of view. Moreover yet a (further) division of the cover profile 40 according to the plane of symmetry of the cover profile 40 can be provided. Said division is indicated by the inclined dashed line. When the cover profile 40 has been divided according to the plane of symmetry, both composing parts can be arranged in the coupling profile 30 without being connected one to the other. Both composing parts are then connected one to the other by means of the cooperating inclined head surfaces and the outermost legs 34a, 34b. It is noted that the cover profile 40 can both be parted in an innermost profile 43 and an outermost profile 44, as well as according to the plane of symmetry. The cover profile 40 then comprises four separate parts.

[0028] Figure 2 shows a similar connection assembly 1 as shown in figures 1A and 1B, however with a larger angle α' of the coupling profile 30 on the side of the connected wall elements 10a, 10b. Accordingly the angles of the bevelling of the head surface 13a, 13b: β' and γ' are smaller. In case the angle α' of the connection assembly would be 180°, the angles β' and γ' have been reduced to O.

[0029] Figures 3A and 3B show a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a connection assembly 1 according to the invention having two pairs of wooden wall elements 10a, 10b, 20a, 20b, an aluminium coupling profile 30, a wooden cover profile 40 and wooden lower edge beams 50a, 50b.

[0030] For reasons of clarity the coupling profile 30 is shown over a limited length only, only two pairs of wall elements 10a, 10b, 20a, 20b are shown and the cover profile 40 does not cover the coupling profile 30 over its entire length.

[0031] As has been described with figures 1A and 1B, the pairs of wall elements 10a, 10b 20a, 20b are connected to the coupling profile 30. Also the lower edge members 50a, 50b are connected in a similar way to the coupling profile 30. Moreover the pairs of wall elements 10a, 10b and 20a, 20b are also connected one to the other by means of upright edges 14a, 14b and recesses 25a, 25b cooperating with them, and the lowermost pair of wall elements 10a, 10b is connected to lower edge members 50a, 50b by means of cooperating recesses 15a, 15b, respectively, and edges 55a, 55b cooperating with them.

[0032] Of course wall elements could be arranged over the entire length of the coupling profile 30 and the cover profile 40 could cover the coupling profile 30 entirely. Moreover the cover profile 40 may extend (almost entirely) over the height of the lower edge members 50a, 50b.

[0033] The coupling profile 30 and the cover profile 40 may, prior to making the connection assembly 1, be connected to each other by sliding the coupling profile 30 and the cover profile 40 over each other in longitudinal direction.

[0034] Alternatively they can also be connected to each other after the lower edge members 50a, 50b, the pairs of wall elements 10a, 10b, 20a, 20b and the coupling profile 30 have been connected one to the other.

[0035] The connection assembly according to the invention can to offer a clamp-fixed connection for both the pairs of wall elements 10a, 10b, 20a, 20b .... as well as the cover profile 40. The cover profile 40 and the pairs of wall elements 10a, 10b, 20a, 20b .... can be made of the same kind of wood because the cover profile 40 has no load-bearing function.

Claims

1. Assembly (1) of a coupling profile (30), a number of pairs of wall elements (10a, 10b) to be connected to each other at an angle (α) and at least one cover profile (40) for covering the coupling profile (30), in which the wall elements (10a, 10b) to be connected can be coupted in pairs by means of the coupling profile (30) and the cover profile (40) can be coupled with the coupling profile (30), characterized in that the wall elements (10a, 10b) meet each other at the inner side of the coupling profile (30) and in that the cover profile (40) is located at the other, outer side of the coupling profile (30).

2. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the wall elements (10a, 10b) abut each other at their ends (11a, 11b).

3. Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover profile (40) extends over the pairs of wall elements in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the wall elements (10a, 10b).

4. Assembly according to any one of the claims 1-3, wherein the coupling profile (30) is made of a rigid material, preferably of metal.

5. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall elements (10a, 10b) are made of wood.

6. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover profile (40) is made of wood.

7. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling profile (30) at the cover side forms an angle of > 180°.

8. Assembly according to any one of the claims 1-7, wherein the coupling profile (30) is straight.

9. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling profile (30) is provided with an outermost recess (33) for accommodating the cover profile (40) and with an innermost recess (31) for accommodating the ends of the parts (10a, 10b) to be connected, wherein preferably the outermost recess (33) is limited to either side by two outermost legs (34a, 34b), the longitudinal edges of the cover profile (40) then being provided with respective recesses (42a, 42b) to fit over the respective outermost legs (34a, 34b), and the innermost recess (31) then being limited to either side by two Innermost legs (32a, 32b), the ends of the parts to be connected then being provided with respective recesses (12a, 12b) to fit over the respective innermost legs.

10. Assembly according to claim 9, wherein the outermost legs (34a, 34b) have a squared buckle (35a, 35b).

11. Assembly according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the outermost (34a, 34b) and/or innermost legs (32a, 32b) have been arranged perpendicularly to the base surface of the outermost recess and the innermost recess, respectively.

12. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly further comprises a pair of lower edge members (50a, 50b), which lower edge members can be coupled in pairs by means of the coupling profile (30).

13. Assembly according to claim 9 and 12, wherein the innermost recess (31) is also adapted for accommodating the ends of the lower edge members (50a, 50b).

14. Assembly according to claim 9 and 13, wherein the ends of the lower edge members (50a, 50b) have been provided with respective recesses to fit over the respective innermost legs (32a, 32b).

15. Assembly according to claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein also the lower edge members (50a, 50b) are covered by the cover profile (40).

16. Garden house comprising an assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.

17. Wall comprising an assembly according to any one of the claims 1-15.

Ansprüche

1. System (1) eines Kupplungsprofils (30), einer Anzahl Paare von an einem Winkel (α) miteinander zu verbindenden Wandelementen (10a,10b) und zumindest eines Abdeckprofils (40) zum Abdecken des Kupplungsprofils (30), wobei die zu verbindenden Wandelemente (10a,10b) durch das Kupplungsprofil (30) paarweise zu kuppeln sind und das Abdeckprofil (40) mit dem Kupplungsprofil (30) gekuppelt werden kann, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Wandelemente (10a, 10b) einander an der Innenseite des Kupplungsprofils (30) begegnen und daß das Abdeckprofil (40) an der anderen, Außenseite des Kupplungsprofils (30) gelegen ist.

2. System nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Wandelemente (10a, 10b) einander an ihren Enden (11a, 11b) anstoßen.

3. System nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei das Abdeckprofil (40) sich in eine Richtung senkrecht auf der Längsrichtung der Wandelemente (10a, 10b) über die Paare Wandelemente erstreckt.

4. System nach einem der Ansprüche 1-3, wobei das Kupplungsprofil (30) auf einem steifen Material, vorzugsweise Metall, hergestellt ist.

5. System nach irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Wandelemente (10a,10b) aus Holz hergestellt sind.

6. System nach irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Abdeckprofil (40) aus Holz hergestellt ist.

7. System nach irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Kupplungsprofil (30) an der Abdeckseite einen Winkel von > 180° bildet.

8. System nach einem der Ansprüche 1-7, wobei das Kupplungsprofil (30) recht ist.

9. System nach irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Kupplungsprofil (30) mit einer äußeren Aussparung (33) zum Aufnehmen des Abdeckprofils (40) und mit einer inneren Aussparung zum Aufnehmen der Enden der zu verbindenden Teile (10a,10b) versehen ist, wobei vorzugsweise die äußere Aussparung (33) zu beiden Seiten durch zwei äußere Beine (34a,34b) begrenzt ist, wobei die Längsränder des Abdeckprofils (40) mit jeweiligen Aussparungen (42a,42b) versehen sind um über die jeweiligen äußeren Beine (34a,34b) zu passen, und die innere Aussparung (31) zu beiden Seiten durch zwei innere Beine (32a,32b) begrenzt wird, wobei die Enden der zu verbindenden Teile mit jeweiligen Aussparungen (12a, 12b) versehen sind um über die jeweiligen inneren Beine zu passen.

10. System nach Anspruch 9, wobei die äußeren Beine (34a,34b) einen winkelrechten Knick (35a,35b) haben.

11. System nach Anspruch 9 oder 10, wobei die äußeren (34a,34b) und/oder die inneren Beine (32a,32b) senkrecht auf der Basisfläche von beziehungsweise der äußeren Aussparung und der inneren Aussparung angeordnet sind.

12. System nach irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das System weiter ein Paar Unterrandteile (50a,50b) umfaßt, welche Unterrandteile durch das Kupplungsprofil (30) paarweise zu kuppeln sind.

13. System nach Anspruch 9 und 12, wobei die innere Aussparung (31) auch zum Aufnehmen der Enden der Unterrandteile (50a,50b) angepasst ist.

14. System nach Anspruch 9 und 13, wobei die Enden der Unterrandteile (50a,50b) mit jeweiligen Aussparungen versehen sind, um über die jeweiligen inneren Beine (32a,32b) zu passen.

15. System nach Anspruch 12, 13 oder 14, wobei auch die Unterrandteile (50a,50b) durch das Abdeckprofil (40) bedeckt werden.

16. Gartenhaus umfassend ein System nach irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche.

17. Wand umfassend ein System nach einem der Ansprüche 1-15.

Revendications

1. Ensemble (1) d'un profil de couplage (30), un nombre de paires d'éléments de paroi (10a, 10b) destinés à être raccordés entre eux selon un angle (α) et au moins un profil de recouvrement (40) pour recouvrir le profil de couplage (30), dans lequel les éléments de paroi (10a, 10b) destinés à être raccordés peuvent être couplés en paires au moyen du profil de couplage (30) et le profil de recouvrement (40) peut être couplé avec le profil de couplage (30), caractérisé en ce que les éléments de paroi (10a, 10b) se rencontrent entre eux au niveau du côté interne du profil de couplage (30) et en ce que le profil de recouvrement (40) est situé au niveau de l'autre côté externe du profil de couplage (30).

2. Ensemble selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les éléments de paroi (10a, 10b) viennent en butée entre eux au niveau de leurs extrémités (11a, 11b).

3. Ensemble selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel le profil de recouvrement (40) s'étend sur les paires d'éléments de paroi dans une direction perpendiculaire vers la direction longitudinale des éléments de paroi (10a, 10b).

4. Ensemble selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel le profil de couplage (30) est réalisé avec un matériau rigide, de préférence du métal.

5. Ensemble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les éléments de paroi (10a, 10b) sont réalisés à partir de bois.

6. Ensemble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le profil de recouvrement (40) est réalisé à partir de bois.

7. Ensemble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le profil de couplage (30) au niveau du côté de recouvrement forme un angle supérieur à 180°.

8. Ensemble selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, dans lequel le profil de couplage (30) est droit.

9. Ensemble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le profil de couplage (30) est prévu avec un enfoncement (33) situé le plus à l'extérieur pour loger le profil de recouvrement (40) et avec un enfoncement (31) situé le plus à l'intérieur pour loger les extrémités des pièces (10a, 10b) à raccorder, dans lequel de préférence l'enfoncement (33) situé le plus à l'extérieur est limité de chaque côté par deux pattes (34a, 34b) situées le plus à l'extérieur, les bords longitudinaux du profil de recouvrement (40) étant alors prévus avec des enfoncements (42a, 42b) respectifs pour s'adapter sur les pattes (34a, 34b) situées le plus à l'extérieur respectives, et l'enfoncement (31) situé le plus à l'intérieur étant alors limité de chaque côté par deux pattes (32a, 32b) situées le plus à l'intérieur, les extrémités des pièces à raccorder étant alors prévues avec des enfoncements (12a, 12b) respectifs pour s'adapter sur les pattes situées le plus à l'intérieur respectives.

10. Ensemble selon la revendication 9, dans lequel les pattes (34a, 34b) situées le plus à l'extérieur ont une boucle carrée (35a, 35b).

11. Ensemble selon la revendication 9 ou 10, dans lequel les pattes (34a, 34b) situées le plus à l'extérieur et/ou les pattes (32a, 32b) situées le plus à l'intérieur ont été agencées perpendiculairement sur la surface de base de l'enfoncement situé le plus à l'extérieur et de l'enfoncement situé le plus à l'intérieur, respectivement.

12. Ensemble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'ensemble comprend en outre une paire d'éléments formant bord inférieur (50a, 50b), lesquels éléments formant bord inférieur peuvent être couplés en paires au moyen du profil de couplage (30).

13. Ensemble selon les revendications 9 et 12, dans lequel l'enfoncement (31) situé le plus à l'intérieur est également adapté pour loger les extrémités des éléments formant bord inférieur (50a, 50b).

14. Ensemble selon les revendications 9 et 13, dans lequel les extrémités des éléments formant bord inférieur (50a, 50b) ont été prévues avec des enfoncements respectifs pour se monter sur les pattes (32a, 32b) situées le plus à l'intérieur respectives.

15. Ensemble selon la revendication 12, 13 ou 14, dans lequel également les éléments formant bord inférieur (50a, 50b) sont recouverts par le profil de recouvrement (40).

16. Abri de jardin comprenant un ensemble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes.

17. Paroi comprenant un ensemble selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 15.

Drawing