PROFILE FIXING ACCESSORY AND SUPPORT SYSTEM COMPRISING SUCH PROFILE FIXING ACCESSORY FOR CLADDING, ELEVATED FLOORS, LOWERED CEILINGS OR SUCH

Abstract

 A profile fixing accessory for mounting panels or covering elements of a cladding, elevated floor or lowered ceiling to elongated profiles, comprising:
- a base plate extending in a first plane at a level L0;
- a lip protruding from the base plate, said lip having a free edge comprising a sawtooth or triangular toothed section extending in direction parallel to the base plate at a level L1;
- a hook protruding from the base plate and extending at a level L2, the level L1 situated between levels L0 and L2;
- a clamp; and
- mounting means configured to cooperate with the mounting panels or covering elements of the cladding, elevated floor or lowered ceiling.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention concerns a profile fixing accessory and to support system for cladding, elevated floors or lowered ceilings comprising such profile fixing accessory.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Plenty of support systems for cladding or elevated floors are available on the market, a vast majority thereof is offered for sale together with cladding boards and most comprise elongated profiles configured to be permanently fixed on a wall in a horizontal or vertical direction to create a repetitive pattern of profiles over the entire wall to be covered by cladding.

[0003] The boards are to be fixed to the pattern of profiles, either directly or in more advanced systems by intermediate of a profile fixing accessory. Such support systems comprising profile fixing accessories are described in amongst others FR2928673, DE202013010345, WO2011/149371 and DE4224550.

[0004] In FR 2928673 and DE202013010345 the profile fixing accessories are to be fixed by either nails or screws, which has a substantial impact on the time for installing and or removing the cladding or elevated floor system. In WO2011/149371 a support system is disclosed wherein boards of a cladding, elevated floor or lowered ceiling are mounted on a pattern of elongated profiles by means of a profile fixing accessory and wherein no nails or screws are required for fixing either the profile fixing accessory or the boards to the elongated profiles. In this case, the elongated profiles define an elongated slot wherein a base of the profile fixing accessory is inserted and clamped by friction through rotation of the profile fixing accessory in the slot, thereby rotating the base - having a small and a large dimension oriented perpendicularly to one another - such that the large dimension turns to a position perpendicular to the slot, thereby clamping the base between sidewalls of the elongated profile. Once in clamping position, the profile fixing accessory is moved to a position wherein a head thereof cooperates with a board of the cladding. This movement of the clamped profile fixing accessory is done by hammering against the friction between the base of the profile fixing accessory and the elongated profiles. The movement of the profile fixing accessory is experienced in the field as cumbersome and time consuming and does in large amount nullify the time gained by not having to screw the profile fixing accessory in place. Additionally, as movement of the profile fixing accessory is possible with a limited amount of force, the profile fixing accessories do not provide a load bearing function in case of claddings.

[0005] DE4224550 discloses a support system comprising profile fixing accessories and one or more elongated profiles having sidewalls defining a longitudinal slot delimited by facing edges of the sidewalls, said facing edges defining asymmetric teeth configured to cooperate with toothed sections on the profile fixing accessory for locking the accessory in the elongated profiles. The asymmetric teeth are configured such as to allow movement of the profile fixing accessories in one direction but preventing movement in the opposite direction. Although the support system according to DE'550 in theory offers good load bearing functionality and is easy and fast in application, it suffers from a major drawback. Due to production tolerances, the asymmetric teeth on both sides of the slot in the elongated profile are not always perfectly aligned. Such misalignment has no or little influence in case the teeth are dimensioned wide enough in a longitudinal direction of the profile, but such wide dimensioning of the teeth limits fine regulation of the position of the profile fixing accessories and hence may jeopardize good immobilization of cladding boards and may give rise to vibration of the boards in cases of wind and as such to noise generation. Reducing the dimensions of the teeth to overcome the above drawback leads to higher material rejection as the misalignment prevents a straight positioning of the profile fixing accessories in the profiles and as such jeopardizes the load bearing functionalities of the system as a profile fixing accessory that is positioned askew in the elongated profiles may jump out of place as the teeth of the accessory and the elongated profiles have a reduced contact surface.

[0006] It follows from the above that there remains a market need for cladding support systems that are easy, fast and fail safe to install and optionally de-install.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is defined in the appended independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. The present invention addresses the above market needs and provides for a profile fixing accessory for mounting panels or covering elements of a cladding, elevated floor or lowered ceiling to elongated profiles comprising:

• a base plate extending in a first plane at a level L0;
• a lip protruding from the base plate, said lip having a free edge comprising a sawtooth or triangular toothed section extending in direction parallel to the base plate at a level L1;
• a hook protruding from the base plate and extending at a level L2, the level L1 situated between levels L0 and L2;
• a clamp; and
• mounting means configured to cooperate with the mounting panels or covering elements of the cladding, elevated floor or lowered ceiling.

[0008] The support system according to the present invention comprises profile fixing accessories as described supra and one or more elongated profiles, preferably having sidewalls defining a longitudinal slot delimited by facing edges of the sidewalls, at least one of said facing edges defining teeth configured to cooperate with the toothed sections on the profile fixing accessory for locking the accessory in the elongated profiles upon bending or torsion of the clamp.

[0009] The present invention also concerns the use of torsion or bending of a clamp of a profile fixing accessory as identified supra for locking the profile fixing accessory in position on an elongated profile having sidewalls defining a longitudinal groove delimited by facing edges said edges, at least one of said facing edges defining a sawtooth or triangular toothed profile, the toothed section of the profile fixing accessory configured to cooperate with said sawtooth or triangular toothed profile.

DETAILED SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the profile fixing accessory is manufactured in one single piece and preferably in a metal, such as stainless steel or aluminum, rendering the profile fixing accessory suitable for application in conditions were high fire resistance criteria need to be met.

[0011] The sawtooth or triangular toothed section preferably has a period of between 0,5 and 1,5 mm, preferably matching the period of the sawtooth or triangular toothed profile of the elongated profiles.

[0012] In accordance with a preferred embodiment the clamp is connected to the base plate by a bendable or torsible link.

[0013] The lip and the clamp of the base plate are preferably configured to allow clamping the profile fixing accessory on the elongated profile in a desired position by bending or torsion of the clamp.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE APPENDED FIGURES

[0014] 

Fig. 1 shows, in a perspective view, three method steps for mounting and locking in place of a profile fixing accessory on an elongated profile of a system according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows the same method steps as Fig. 1, from a straight angle;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a profile fixing accessory of the present invention;

Fig. 4 shows, in a perspective view, three method steps for mounting and locking in place of a profile fixing accessory on an elongated profile of a system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 & 6 show the same method steps as Fig. 4, from a straight angle.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] As illustrated in Figs. 1&2, the present invention concerns a system for mounting panels (not shown) or covering elements of a cladding and comprises one or more elongated profiles 1 intended to be fixed to a wall or ceiling that is to be covered by the cladding and a plurality of profile fixing accessories 2 configured to mount the panels on the elongated profile(s) 1.

[0016] In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated profiles 1 are generally U-shaped with sidewalls 3 defining a longitudinal groove 4 delimited by facing edges, said edges 5 defining a sawtooth or triangular toothed profile with a period of between 0,5 and 1,5mm.

[0017] The elongated profiles preferably have drill holes in the sidewall facing the slot, allowing easy fixation of the profiles on a wall or ceiling by screws.

[0018] The elongated profiles are preferably manufactured in a metal such as stainless steel, steel or aluminum; or alternatively in a preferably reinforced polymeric material. The elongated profiles preferably have a wall thickness, ie the thickness of the plate in case the profiles are made by bending of a metal plate, of A, preferably between 1 and 5 mm, most preferably about 1,5 mm.

[0019] Fig 3 illustrates a more detailed view of the profile fixing accessory of Fig. 1 & 2. This profile fixing accessory 2 comprises a base plate 6 that extends in a plane at a level L0; a lip 7 that protrudes from the plate and in this case comprises a distal part 8 extending parallel to the base plate 6 at a level L1, the free end of the distal part executed as a toothed profile 9; a hook 10 protruding from a side of the base plate and having a distal part 11 extending parallel to the base plate 6 at a level L2; a clamp 12 that in this case is connected to the base plate by a bendable or torsible link 13; a guide lip 14 protruding from a side of the base plate opposite the hook 10 and having a distal part 15 extending parallel to the base plate 6 at a level L2; and mounting means 16 protruding from the base plate 6 in a direction opposite the lip 7, hook 10 and guide lip 14.

[0020] Such mounting means can have a wide variety of architectures, depending on the panels or covering elements of the cladding, are well-known in the art and will not be described in further detail in this document.

[0021] In the embodiment shown in the figures 1 to 3, the guide lip 14 and hook 10 are provided on opposite edges of the base plate and extend, when inserted in an elongated profile, in a substantially X-direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the elongated profile, while the toothed profile 9 of the lip 7 faces one of the toothed edges 5 of the elongated profile.

[0022] The toothed profile 9 of the lip 7 is configured to cooperate with the toothed edges 5 of the elongated profile and as such preferably have a period of between 0,5 and 1,5mm and a sawtooth or triangular toothed profile. The level L1 at which the toothed profile 9 of the lip 7 extends is in this case situated in between the levels L0 of the base plate and L2 of the distal part 11 of the hook 10, whereby the difference in height between the levels L0 and L2 is slightly larger than the wall thickness of the elongated profiles of in this case between 2 and 5 mm.

[0023] The lip 7, hook 10 and guide lip 14 preferably have dimensions allowing introduction of these parts in the groove 4 of the elongated profile 1.

[0024] The profile fixing accessory is in this case manufactured in one piece out of metal, preferably stainless steel or aluminum. A possible manufacturing method comprises cutting the piece outline out of a metal plate, bending the mounting means, guide lip and hook into shape and die cutting and bending he lip 7. The thickness of the metal plate out of which the profile fixing accessory is made is preferably the same or approximately the same as the wall thickness of the elongated profile and thus within a range of 1 to 5 mm, most preferably about 1,5mm.

[0025] Alternatively, the profile fixing accessory may also be manufactured in a reinforced polymeric material, by injection molding or by cutting, die cutting and thermoforming.

[0026] In use, the profile fixing accessory is inserted in the groove 4 of an elongated profile, such that the hook 10 and guide lip 14 are positioned inside the groove 4 and grab beyond the sidewalls defining the groove 4. The toothed profile at the distal end of the lip 7 in this case cooperates with the facing toothed edge 5 of the elongated profile, while the base plate 6 rests on the outer surface of the elongated profile sidewalls defining the groove 4 and the mounting means 16 protrude from the base plate's surface opposite the elongated profile. The clamp 12 of the profile fixing accessory is now positioned in the plane of the base plate 6 next to the elongated profile 1.

[0027] In this position, depicted in the lower two illustrations of both figures 1 and 2, the profile fixing accessory 2 is in an non-locked position and can easily be repositioned in the elongated profile by slightly tilting the base plate in view of the elongated profile around a virtual axis perpendicular to the plane of the base plate 6. Such tilting disengages the toothed section 9 of the lip 7 from the toothed edges of the elongated profile, while the hook 10 and guide lip 14 prevent removal of the profile fixing accessory 2 from the elongated profile by grabbing behind the groove defining sidewalls of the elongated profile.

[0028] Once a desired position of the profile fixing accessory 2 in the elongated profile is reached, the profile fixing accessory is tilted again such that the toothed section 9 of the lip 7 engages with the toothed edges 5 of the elongated profile 1, such as shown in the middle illustrations of figures 1 and 2. Repositioning in this case remains possible by retilting the base plate 6.

[0029] To fix the profile fixing accessory in place, it suffices to bend or twist the clamp 14 around the bending or torsible link 13, such that the clamp is positioned against a side wall of the elongated profile and as a consequence clamps one of the groove defining sidewalls between the clamp and the toothed section of the lip, inhibiting tilting of the base plate 6. Moving the profile fixing accessory in a longitudinal direction in view of the elongated profile is now impossible by the engagement of the toothed section of the profile fixing accessory with the toothed edge of the elongated profile.

[0030] Once a row of profile fixing accessories are locked in place, a panel or covering element of the cladding to be installed can be mounted.

[0031] It is clear from the above that the system according to the present invention allows for a quick and yet precise fixation of the profile fixing accessory in view of the elongated profile, without the use of any tools, yet just by a simple manual bending or twisting of the clamp.

[0032] In case both the elongated profiles and the profile fixing accessories are manufactured in metal, a fire proof mounting system is provided for cladding or decorative coverings.

[0033] In accordance with an alternative embodiment and as depicted in Figures 4 to 6, the elongated profiles 1' are generally I-shaped or L-shaped cross section, wherein a base of the elongated profiles is fixed to a wall and a leg protruding therefrom comprises a toothed edge 5'. In this system a profile fixing accessory 2' comprises a base plate 6' that extends in a plane at a level L0; a lip 7' that protrudes from the plate and in this case comprises a distal part 8' extending parallel to the base plate 6' at a level L1, the free end of the distal part executed as a toothed profile 9'; a hook 10' protruding from a side of the base plate and having a distal part 11' extending parallel to the base plate 6' at a level L2, allowing partially enveloping a sidewall of the elongated profile 1'; a clamp 12' that in this case is connected to the base plate by a bendable or torsible link 13'; and mounting means (not shown) protruding from the base plate 6'.

[0034] This alternative system functions in a similar manner as the first embodiment described supra.

1 elongated profiles	7 lip	13 torsible link
2 profile fixing accessory	8 distal part of lip	14 guide lip
3 side walls	9 toothed profile	15 distal part of guide lip
4 groove	10 hook	16 mounting means
5 toothed edges	11 distal part of hook
6 base plate	12 clamp

Claims

1. A profile fixing accessory for mounting panels or covering elements of a cladding, elevated floor or lowered ceiling to elongated profiles, comprising:

- a base plate extending in a first plane at a level L0;

- a lip protruding from the base plate, said lip having a free edge comprising a sawtooth or triangular toothed section extending in direction parallel to the base plate at a level L1;

- a hook protruding from the base plate and extending at a level L2, the level L1 situated between levels L0 and L2;

- a clamp; and

- mounting means configured to cooperate with the mounting panels or covering elements of the cladding, elevated floor or lowered ceiling.

2. The profile fixing accessory according to claim 1, being made in one single piece.

3. The profile fixing accessory according to claim 1 or 2, being made in metal, preferably stainless steel or aluminum.

4. The profile fixing accessory according to any of the preceding claims, said sawtooth or triangular toothed section having a period of between 0,5 and 1,5 mm.

5. The profile fixing accessory according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the clamp is connected to the base plate by a bendable or torsible link.

6. A support system for mounting panels or covering elements of a cladding, said system comprising:

- profile fixing accessories according to any of claims 1-5; and

- one or more elongated profiles.

7. The support system according to claim 6, wherein said elongated profiles have sidewalls defining a longitudinal groove delimited by facing edges at least one of said edges defining a sawtooth or triangular toothed profile, the toothed section of the profile fixing accessory configured to cooperate with said sawtooth or triangular toothed profile.

8. The support system according to claim 6 or 7, said sawtooth or triangular toothed profile having a period of between 0,5 and 1,5 mm.

9. The support system according to any of claims 6 to 8, said toothed section on the lip of the base plate and the clamp configured to allow clamping the profile fixing accessory on the elongated profile in a desired position by bending or torsion of the clamp.

10. The support system according to any of claims 6 to 9, made of a metal, preferably stainless steel or aluminum.

11. Use of torsion or bending of a clamp of a profile fixing accessory as identified in any of claims 1 to 5 for locking the profile fixing accessory in position on an elongated profile having sidewalls defining a longitudinal groove delimited by facing edges said edges, at least one of said facing edges defining a sawtooth or triangular toothed profile, the toothed section of the profile fixing accessory configured to cooperate with said sawtooth or triangular toothed profile.

Drawing