[0001] The present invention refers to a multi-function system for assembling profiles,
in particular for making frames for openings such as doors or windows.
[0002] In the art profiles are known that are made of plastic material or metal alloy to
make, in particular, the perimeter frame of door or window openings or more in general
for building crosslinked structures. In the majority of cases, such profiles are directly
fastened to the opening to be equipped. In other contexts, such profiles can be equipped
with longitudinal grooves for the connection to other profiles by inserting therein
sliding sliders or the use of a range of connection modules adapted to allow many
assembling solutions of the profiles. Examples of such known solutions are disclosed
in patents n.
CN-A-1434240,
DE-A-10016608,
DE-A-19732972,
DE-A-4323488 and
DE-A-3624940.
[0003] In almost all these cases, however, the known systems for assembling profiles are
substantially specifically made for the determined application for which they are
provided, this not allowing to easily use the same profiles and the same connection
modules for other applications that are different from the strictly provided ones.
Moreover, it is difficult that the various profiles and their related connection modules,
usually excessively complex from the mechanical and laying points of view, can be
mutually interchanged, this making their assembly univocal and scarcely capable of
being suited to different needs that can intervene in the building field.
[0004] The art therefore searches for systems for assembling profiles that are more and
more practical, easy and quick in their laying and more and more versatile in their
possible customisation.
[0005] Therefore, object of the present invention is solving the above prior art problems
by providing a multi-function system for assembling profiles that allows being more
easily and quickly laid than what is proposed by the prior art.
[0006] A further object of the present invention is providing a multi-function system for
assembling profiles that is more versatile than what is proposed by the prior art.
[0007] The above and other objects and advantages of the invention, as will appear from
the following description, are obtained with a multi-function system for assembling
profiles as claimed in claim 1. Preferred embodiments and non-trivial variations of
the present invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.
[0008] It will be immediately obvious that many variations and modifications (for example
related to shape, sizes, arrangements and parts with equivalent functionality) can
be made to what is described, without departing from the scope of the invention as
appears from the encosed claims.
[0009] The present invention will be better described by some preferred embodiments thereof,
provided as a non-limiting example, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:
- FIG. 1 shows an orthogonally sectioned view of a preferred embodiment of a profile
of the system according to the present invention;
- FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a first connection module
of the system according to the present invention;
- FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a second connection module
of the system according to the present invention;
- FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a third connection module
of the system according to the present invention;
- FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a fourth connection module
of the system according to the present invention;
- FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a fifth connection module
of the system according to the present invention;
- FIG. 7a and 7b show exploded perspective views of examples of assembling a profile
of FIG. 1 with some first connection modules of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 8a, 8b and 8c show exploded perspective views of some examples of assembling
of two profiles of FIG. 1 with second and third connection modules of FIG. 3 and 4;
- FIG. 9a, 9b and 9c show exploded perspective views of some examples of assembling
of two profiles of FIG. 1 with a fifth connection module of FIG. 6; and
- FIG. 10a and 10b show exploded perspective views of some examples of assembling of
two profiles of FIG. 1 with a fourth connection module of FIG. 5.
[0010] The system for assembling profiles according to the present invention then comprises:
- at least one profile 1, preferably made as a box-like section bar with a quadrangular
shape made of plastic material or of any metal alloy such as an aluminium alloy, equipped
with at least one profile chamber 3 having two opposite side walls, respectively 3a,
3b equipped, inside the chamber 3 itself, with mutually parallel longitudinal ribs
5;
- a plurality of connection modules 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, each one equipped with at least
one insertion foot 7 adapted to be inserted, and possibly fastened in the modes that
will be described below, inside at least one profile chamber 3 of the profile 1.
[0011] With particular reference to FIG. 1, it is possible to note that a preferred embodiment
of the profile 1 of the system according to the present invention, is composed, in
addition to the first profile chamber 3, also of a second chamber 6 arranged orthogonally
to this latter one, such second chamber 6 being dimensionally equal to the first chamber
3 and also equipped with mutually parallel longitudinal ribs 5 along two opposite
side walls, respectively 6a, 6b. In this way, as will be seen afterwards, the system
according to the present invention allows mutually assembling various profiles 1,
through the most appropriate connection modules 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, putting them side
by side and connecting them both with respect to their thickness T and with respect
to their width WL; in a preferred embodiment of the profile 1 of the system according
to the present invention, T = 25 mm and W = 50 mm, but it is wholly clear that the
same profile 1 can be made according to any other measure, though preferably keeping
the same ratio T/W = 0,5. Obviously, profiles can be made with different sizes and
ratios between them, such as for example with T = 30 mm and W = 70 mm, T = 100 mm
and W = 25 mm, T = 100 mm and W = 50 mm, and with a different number and arrangement
of profile chambers without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0012] Preferably, in order to confer a more regular external shape to the profile 1, the
profile 1 itself is equipped with a third profile chamber 8 mirroring the first chamber
3 and a fourth profile chamber 9 mirroring the second profile chamber 6.
[0013] With reference to FIG. 2, it is possible to note that a first connection module 10
of the system according to the present invention is a fastening plug equipped with
the insertion foot 7, preferably equipped with grooves 7a corresponding to the longitudinal
ribs 5 of the profile chambers, integral with at least one fastening plate 11 preferably
orthogonal to the foot 7 itself, such plate 11 being preferably equipped with at least
one through-hole 13 (preferably two) for inserting a fastening means 15 such as, for
example, a screw, a small block or a nail.
[0014] With reference to FIG. 7a and 7b, it is possible to note that the first connection
module 10 allows fastening at least one profile 1 to at least one plane surface. In
particular, it is advantageously possible to fasten the profile 1 both oriented along
its width L (as shown for example in FIG. 7a, in which the insertion foot 7 of at
least one fastening plug is inserted inside a respective first profile chamber 3)
and oriented along its thickness S (as shown, for example, in FIG. 7b, in which the
insertion foot 7 of at least one fastening plug is inserted inside a respective second
profile chamber 6). It is wholly clear that the number and/or arrangement of fastening
plugs to be used is function of the specific application to be satisfied. In particular,
as also clear from FIG. 7a and 7b, the profile 1 is rather versatile, allowing to
use different and numerous combinations of positioning and number of fastening plugs
to perform different orientations and fastening modes, possibly inserting the respective
fastening feet 7 also inside the third and fourth profile chambers, respectively 8
and 9.
[0015] With reference to FIG. 3, it is possible to note that a second connection module
20 of the system according to the present invention is an angular junction square
composed, in its simplest version, of the union of at least two insertion feet 7 mutually
arranged along an angle α, being preferably α = 90°. Such junction square is suitable
to allow the angular joining along angle α of at least two profiles 1, possibly suitably
shaped at their connection ends to allow a more accurate coupling. Advantageously,
the connection module 20, next to an external surface with respect to angle α of each
foot 7, can be equipped with respective fastening teeth 21 adapted to be inserted,
due to elastic distortion or under the thrust of a possible spring (not shown), coaxial
with a respective tooth 21 and housed inside the body of the related foot 7, in a
corresponding seat 2 of one of the profile chambers 3, 6, 8, 9 inside which the foot
7 must be inserted. In particular, as for example shown in FIG. 8a and 8c, also in
this case it is possible to note how two profiles 1 can be mutually joined in an angle
α, both along their width (FIG. 8a) by inserting the feet 7 inside the respective
first, more external profile chambers 3, and along their thickness (FIG. 8c) by inserting
the feet 7 inside the respective second, more external profile chambers 6.
[0016] With reference to FIG. 4, it is possible to note that a third connection module 30
of the system according to the present invention is another junction square composed,
in its simplest version, of the union of at least two insertion feet 7 mutually arranged
along an angle α, being preferably α = 90°. Also such junction square is suitable
to allow the angular union along angle α of at least two profiles 1, possibly suitably
shaped at their connection ends to allow a more accurate coupling. However, contrary
to the connection module 20, the connection module 30 is equipped with fastening teeth
31 next to an internal surface with respect to angle α of each foot 7, also such teeth
31 adapted to be inserted due to elastic distortion or under the thrust of a possible
spring (not shown) coaxial with a respective tooth 31 and housed inside the body of
the related foot 7, in a corresponding seat 2 of one of the profile chambers 3, 6,
8, 9 inside which the foot 7 must be inserted. In particular, as for example shown
in FIG. 8b, also in this case it is possible to note how two profiles 1 can be mutually
joined in an angle α both along their width (FIG. 8b) by inserting the feet 7 inside
the respective first, most internal profile chambers 3, and along their thickness
(not shown) by inserting the feet 7 inside the respective second, most internal profile
chambers 6.
[0017] With reference to FIG. 5, it is possible to note that a fourth connection module
40 of the system according to the present invention is a junction U-bolt composed,
in an end thereof, of the insertion foot 7, possibly equipped with at least one fastening
tooth 41 adapted to be inserted by elastic distortion or under the thrust of a possible
spring (not shown) coaxial with a respective tooth 41 and housed inside the body of
the related foot 7, in the corresponding seat 2 of one of the profile chambers 3,
6, 8, 9 inside which the foot 7 must be inserted, and in an opposite end thereof,
of a "T"-shaped foot 43 on the surface of which at least one fastening hole 45 is
arranged.
[0018] With reference to FIG. 10a and 10b, it is possible to note that in the system according
to the present invention the fourth connection module 40 can be used to connect at
least two profiles 1 in a mutually orthogonal position. In particular, by obtaining
at least one through-hole 47 along one of the two profiles 1 to be connected, it is
possible to insert at least one fastening means, such as for example a screw 49, in
order to grip the fastening hole 45 of the junction U-bolt, this one having its foot
7 inserted at least in the first profile chamber 3, to fasten a second profile 1 orthogonally
along its width (FIG. 10a) or at least in the second profile chamber 6, to fasten
a second profile 1 orthogonally along its thickness (FIG. 10b).
[0019] With reference to FIG. 6, it is possible to note that a fifth connection module 50
of the system according to the present invention is a junction square with variable
angles along an angle β, such module 50 being composed of at least two insertion feet
7, each one of which is possibly equipped with at least one fastening tooth 51 adapted
to be inserted, due to elastic distortion or under the thrust of a possible spring
(not shown), coaxial with a respective tooth 51 and housed inside the body of the
related foot 7, in the corresponding seat 2 of one of the profile chambers 3, 6, 8,
9 inside which the foot 7 must be inserted, such feet 7 being mutually connected by
interposing at least one articulated junction 53, preferably made as a hinge-type
kinematism (such as, for example, in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 6). Alternatively,
the articulated junction 53 can obviously be made according to any other equivalent
technical solution, such as for example an elastic joint. Such junction square with
variable angles is adapted to allow the angular union along a variable and adjustable
angle β of at least two profiles 1, possibly suitably shaped at their connection ends
to allow a more accurate coupling. Between each foot 7 and the articulated junction
53, distance-adjusting means between feet 7 and junction 53 could be inserted.
[0020] In an alternative embodiment of the fifth connection module 50, each foot 7 could
be fully replaced by a respective fourth connection module 40 like the previously
described one, in which the distance-adjusting means are made as at least one adjusting
screw 55 gripping inside each respective fastening hole 45, possibly cooperating with
a respective axially-holding coaxial spring 57.
[0021] In particular, as shown for example in FIG. 9a, 9b and 9c, also in this case it is
possible to note how two profiles 1 can be mutually joined in an adjustable angle
β, both along their width by inserting the feet 7 inside the respective first, most
external (FIG. 9a) or most external (FIG. 9b) profile chambers 3, and along their
thickness, also in this case by inserting the feet 7 inside the respective second,
most external (FIG. 9c) or most internal (not shown) profile chambers.
1. Multi-function system for assembling profiles,
characterised in that it comprises:
- at least one profile (1) equipped with at least one profile chamber (3);
- a plurality of connection modules (10, 20, 30, 40, 50), each one of said modules
being equipped with at least one insertion foot (7) adapted to be inserted and/or
fixed inside at least one of said profile chambers (3) of said profile (1).
2. System according to claim 1, characterised in that said profile chamber (3) has two opposite side walls (3a, 3b) internally equipped
with mutually parallel, longitudinal ribs (5).
3. System according to claim 1, characterised in that said profile (1) is further equipped with at least one second chamber (6) arranged
orthogonally to said first profile chamber (3), said second chamber (6) being dimensionally
equal to said first chamber (3) being internally equipped with said mutually parallel,
longitudinal ribs (5) along two opposite side walls (6a, 6b) thereof and said insertion
foot (7) being adapted to be inserted and/or fixed inside said second chamber (6).
4. System according to claim 1, characterised in that said profile (1) has such a thickness (T) and a width (W) that T/W = 0,5.
5. System according to claim 4, characterised in that said thickness (T) = 25 mm and said width (W) = 50 mm.
6. System according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that said profile (1) is further equipped with a third profile chamber (8) mirroring said
first chamber (3) and with a fourth profile chamber (9) mirroring said second profile
chamber (6).
7. System according to claim 1, characterised in that one of said first connection modules (10) is a fastening plug equipped with said
insertion foot (7) integral with at least one fastening plate (11), said insertion
foot (7) being equipped with grooves (7a) corresponding to said longitudinal ribs
(5).
8. System according to claim 7, characterised in that said fastening plate (11) is equipped with at least one through-hole (13) for inserting
at least one fastening means (15).
9. System according to claim 1, characterised in that one of said second connection modules (20) is a junction square composed of the union
of at least two of said insertion feet (7) mutually arranged along an angle (α) preferably
equal to 90°.
10. System according to claim 1, characterised in that said second connection module (20) is equipped, next to an external surface with
respect to said angle (α) of each of said feet (7), with respective fastening teeth
(21) adapted to be inserted in a corresponding seat (2) of said profile chambers (3,
6, 8, 9).
11. System according to claim 1, characterised in that one of said third connection modules (30) is a junction square composed of the union
of at least two of said insertion feet (7) mutually arranged along an angle (α), preferably
equal to 90°, equipped, next to an internal surface with respect to said angle (α)
of each one of said feet (7), with respective fastening teeth (31) adapted to be inserted
in a corresponding seat (2) of said profile chambers (3, 6, 8, 9).
12. System according to claim 1, characterised in that one of said fourth connection modules (40) is a junction U-bolt composed, at one
end thereof, of said insertion foot (7) and, at an opposite end thereof, of a "T"-shaped
foot (43) on the surface of which at least one fastening hole (45) is arranged.
13. System according to claim 1, characterised in that one of said fifth connection modules (50) is a junction square with variable angles
along an angle (β), said module (50) being composed of at least two of said insertion
feet (7) mutually connected by interposing at least one articulated junction (53).
14. System according to claim 1 or 13, characterised in that each one of said feet (7) is equipped with at least one fastening tooth (41, 51)
adapted to be inserted in a corresponding seat (2) of said profile chambers (3, 6,
8, 9) and said angle (β) is variable.
15. System according to claim 13, characterised in that said articulated junction (53) is a hinge-type kinematism or an elastic joint.
16. System according to claim 13, characterised in that distance-adjusting means are inserted between said foot (7) and said articulated
junction (53).
17. System according to claim 16, characterised in that said distance-adjusting means are at least one adjusting screw (55) cooperating with
a respective axially-holding coaxial spring (57).