CERAMIC TUBE GRID

Abstract

 The invention relates to a lattice of ceramic tubes comprising a plurality of ceramic tubes (10), each provided with a hollow interior accessible through two opposite ends of the ceramic tube (10), a connection system mutually connecting the plurality of ceramic tubes (10), forming a chain of ceramic tubes, a fixing system (40) anchoring the connection system to a support; wherein the connection system comprises an anchoring (20) for each end of each ceramic tube (10) inserted by pressure into a portion of the hollow interior of the ceramic tube (10) adjacent to the end thereof, and a flexible connector (30) mutually connecting the anchorings (20) of successive ceramic tubes (10) adjacent to one another within the chain of ceramic tubes (10), allowing the folding of the chain of ceramic tubes through the flexible connectors (30) for storage and transport.

Description

Field of the Art

[0001] The present invention relates to a lattice of ceramic tubes, i.e., to a formwork of ceramic elements intended for cladding a surface, for providing shade, for filtering sunlight, or for providing privacy.

[0002] In the present case, the ceramic elements used will be ceramic tubes with a hollow interior accessible through two opposite ends.

[0003] The typical application of lattices of this type will be for cladding the facades of buildings, for creating space divisions, or other equivalent architectural applications.

State of the Art

[0004] Lattices of ceramic tubes are known. A rigid structure, for example, a metal structure such as, for example, the lattice described in document CN101418668, is normally used.

[0005] In other known solutions, ceramic tubes are threaded into said metal structure, offering a ceramic cladding which conceals at least part of the metal structure, obtaining the aesthetic quality of a ceramic finish and the strength capacities of the metal structure.

[0006] However, solutions of this type are very expensive and require a slow and skilled installation.

[0007] Some examples of lattices of ceramic tubes in which a metal tube is inserted into the ceramic tubes, providing strength and support to the ceramic tube, with the metal tubes hanging from cables, are also known. However, the cables lack inertia, which makes it easier for the assembly to readily move or vibrate, for example, due to the wind, requiring many additional reinforcement elements or anchorings to prevent it from vibrating excessively.

[0008] Furthermore, the known solutions hinder the manufacturing of large segments of the lattice of ceramic tubes in the workshop due to the limitations imposed by their transport, with the dimensions thereof being limited by transport restrictions, and with the need for a large part of the work to be performed in-situ by skilled employees, who sometimes work at great height, making lattices of this type more expensive.

[0009] The present invention solves the preceding and other drawbacks.

Brief Description of the Invention

[0010] The present invention relates to a lattice of ceramic tubes such as the one described in claim 1, comprising, in a manner that is known in the state of the art:

a plurality of ceramic tubes, each provided with a hollow interior accessible through two opposite ends of the ceramic tube,

a connection system mutually connecting the plurality of ceramic tubes, forming a chain of ceramic tubes,

a fixing system anchoring the connection system to a support.

[0011] The mentioned connection system mutually connecting the ceramic tubes comprises an anchoring for each end of each ceramic tube inserted by pressure into a portion of the hollow interior of the ceramic tube adjacent to the end thereof.

[0012] In addition to the foregoing, the present invention proposes, in a manner that is not known in the state of the art, that the connection system further comprises a flexible connector mutually connecting the anchorings of successive ceramic tubes adjacent to one another within the chain of ceramic tubes, the flexible connector being configured for allowing a 180° folding between successive segments of the chain of ceramic tubes, allowing the chain of ceramic tubes to be folded through the flexible connectors for storage and transport.

[0013] Therefore, the present invention proposes that each ceramic tube includes two anchorings, one at each end, inserted into its hollow interior, but without there being another structural connection, other than the ceramic tube itself, between said anchorings of the same ceramic tube. Therefore, the ceramic tube itself is self-sustaining structurally speaking, without any need of reinforcement by means of an inner metal tube.

[0014] This allows costs to be reduced, better utilizing the strength properties of the ceramic material, without requiring other structural elements which would be costly monetary wise and for the environment, and which would increase the weight of the assembly unnecessarily.

[0015] The mentioned anchorings are mutually connected by means of flexible connectors configured for allowing a 180° folding, i.e., between an extended position and a folded position, which allow modifying the relative position between the successive anchorings, and therefore between the successive ceramic tubes, between the extended position and the folded position in which successive segments of one and the same chain of ceramic tubes can be superimposed one on top of the other. This allows the chain of ceramic tubes to be able to be folded, facilitating compact transport. In this manner, long chains of ceramic tubes can be efficiently and serially produced in the workshop, and then folded and sent to their installation site where they only have to be unfolded and fixed to the support.

[0016] Preferably, the chain of ceramic tubes is folded into short superimposed segments, for example on a pallet, during transport, and which are then unfolded, forming a single flat chain of ceramic tubes.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the flexible connector will preferably have an anisotropic flexibility in bending, i.e., its flexibility in bending will not be homogenous in all the transverse directions, rather it will be flexible mainly when it is folded about a first transverse axis X, whereas about a second transverse axis Y, perpendicular to the first transverse axis X, it will be much less flexible or not flexible at all. Typically, this will be due to having an elongated cross-section, which favors its flexibility in one direction and hinders its flexibility in the other direction.

[0018] Preferably, each anchoring includes a harpoon-shaped configuration with teeth oriented to facilitate insertion thereof into the hollow interior of the ceramic tubes and to hinder extraction thereof from same, i.e., teeth which, when inserted, tilt towards the opening of the ceramic tube such that, when attempting to extract same, the teeth increase the pressure on the inner walls of the hollow interior, increasing the gripping thereof.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the anchorings are formed by a folded sheet metal, including the harpoon-shaped configuration at the edges of said sheet metal. Preferably, the harpoon shape is defined on side edges of two facing arms formed from folded parts of the same sheet metal.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the chain of ceramic tubes is a succession of ceramic tubes parallel to one another. Said succession of ceramic tubes can hang from the fixing system through, for example, two tension elements in the form of two straps running along the entire chain of ceramic tubes, each ceramic tube being attached to a strap at one end and to the other strap at the opposite end, the flexible connectors being portions of said straps. According to this embodiment, the anchorings attached to the ends of the ceramic tubes are attached to the straps, such that one anchoring will be connected to the next anchoring through a portion of said strap, which will act as a flexible connector, with the ceramic tubes being held by the straps.

[0021] It shall be understood that a strap is a thin strap made, for example, of metal, plastic, or synthetic fibers, with a rectangular cross-section and with a thickness selected so that said strap is flexible at least on its thin side, which is the side having the minimum inertia against bending forces. Ideally, the strap may have a radius of curvature, in the direction of its minimum inertia, that is equal to or less than 15 cm.

[0022] According to this preferred embodiment, the ceramic tubes of the chain of ceramic tubes can be parallel to one another, being perpendicular to the straps or forming an angle other than 90° with respect to the straps.

[0023] Therefore, it is proposed that each strap is oriented, within the chain of ceramic tubes, with its maximum length and maximum width perpendicular to the maximum length of the ceramic tubes, with the two straps facing one another.

[0024] To fix the anchorings to the strap, each anchoring is formed entirely by a folded sheet and may include a downwardly oriented anchoring tab inserted into an opening provided in one of the straps, with the anchoring hanging from the strap. Alternatively, each anchoring will include a threading opening in an anchoring tab of the strap.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, each opening of the strap may be formed by a U-shaped cut defining a strap tab which retains the anchoring tab in the opening, preventing extraction thereof without first elastically deforming the strap tab. In other words, the U-shaped cut will surround a strap tab, which can be slightly parted by means of elastic deformation if pressure is applied in a direction normal to the strap, allowing the size of the opening to be temporarily increased in order to allow the insertion of the anchoring tab. Once the anchoring tab has entered the opening, it moves in a descending direction, releasing the strap tab which will return elastically to its original position, retaining the anchoring tab in the central part of the U-shaped cut, preventing the ascending movement thereof, and therefore preventing the release thereof from the strap without first elastically deforming the strap tab again.

[0026] According to an equivalent reverse embodiment, it is the strap which includes an anchoring tab inserted into an opening provided in the anchoring.

[0027] Preferably, the segment of the strap comprised between two successive openings, defining a flexible connector, or the segment of the strap comprised between two openings with an interposed opening, defining two successive flexible connectors, is made of a material and with dimensions selected so that, when folded 180° in the direction of its maximum inertia, the segment of the strap experiences a twisting of about 90°, a bending of about 180° in the direction of its minimum inertia, and a new twisting of about 90°, without sustaining any damage or plastic deformations.

[0028] According to the foregoing, if an attempt is made to fold the strap 180° in the direction of its maximum inertia, the segment of the strap to be folded will first twist about 90° naturally, to then bend about 180° in the direction of its minimum inertia, to then twist again about 90°, recovering its original orientation.

[0029] Therefore, it is proposed that each strap, in the portions constituting a flexible connector, present a slenderness selected to cause the twisting of the strap as a result of lateral buckling when the strap is folded 180° in the direction of maximum inertia, defined by the maximum width of the strap, said twisting as a result of lateral buckling modifying the orientation of a segment of the strap reducing its inertia and facilitating its folding.

[0030] This can be achieved, for example, if the length of the segment of the strap constituting a flexible connector described above is, for example, at least two times the radius of curvature of the strap, in the direction of its minimum inertia, without sustaining any damage or plastic deformations.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the strap will be a metal strap and will have a thickness of less than 1 mm, or preferably less than 0.5 mm.

[0032] This property allows the chain of ceramic tubes to be stored compactly, for example on a pallet, folding it into a succession of stacked segments, with the straps being folded 90° in each of said folds, allowing the chain of ceramic tubes to be subsequently unfolded and installed on the support, with little handling in its installation site.

[0033] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the chain of ceramic tubes is an aligned succession of coaxial ceramic tubes with the corresponding anchorings superimposed and confined between the ends of two successive ceramic tubes.

[0034] According to this embodiment, the ceramic tubes are not parallel to one another, but rather aligned, with their respective ends facing one another, the two anchorings, which are attached to two facing ends of two successive ceramic tubes, being superimposed on one another and confined between the two facing ends of the two successive ceramic tubes, i.e., compressed between them.

[0035] Optionally, said chain of aligned and coaxial ceramic tubes will be fixed to the support by means of at least one tension element in the form of a cable running along the hollow interior of the ceramic tubes, along the chain of ceramic tubes, simply going through the anchorings, or being connected to all or some of the anchorings.

[0036] The anchorings of two ends of successive ceramic tubes will be attached to one another by means of a flexible connector which defines a hinge between said two anchorings. This allows the two anchorings, which in the installation position are superimposed and confined between the ceramic tubes, to allow the articulation of the chain of ceramic tubes about said hinge, facilitating the compact storage and transport of the pre-assembled chain of ceramic tubes.

[0037] Optionally, the two anchorings and the flexible connector connecting same will preferably be formed by a single folded sheet metal.

[0038] Preferably, the anchorings confined between the ends of two successive ceramic tubes may include centering configurations provided for aligning successive ceramic tubes when the two anchorings are superimposed.

[0039] The present invention also proposes an installation method for installing a lattice of ceramic tubes such as those described above. This method comprises manufacturing a chain of ceramic tubes formed by a plurality of hollow ceramic tubes attached to one another by a connection system, each end of each ceramic tube being fixed to the connection system by means of an anchoring, which is part of said connection system, inserted by pressure into a portion of the hollow interior of the ceramic tube adjacent to said end, and then fixing the chain of ceramic tubes to a support by means of a fixing system.

[0040] The method further comprises, after manufacturing and before fixing the chain of ceramic tubes, folding the chain of ceramic tubes for storage by stacking and superimposing successive segments of the chain of ceramic tubes by means of a 180° folding of a flexible connector, which is part of the connection system, existing between the successive segments of the chain of ceramic tubes mutually connecting the anchorings; and transporting the folded chain of ceramic tubes to an installation site, and proceeding to unfold the chain of ceramic tubes in said site for fixing thereof.

[0041] Preferably, the 180° folding of the connection system is an elastic folding without plastic deformation of the connection system.

[0042] Optionally, the chain of ceramic tubes is stored on a pallet for transport.

[0043] It shall be understood that references to geometric positions such as, for example, parallel, perpendicular, tangent, etc., allow deviations of up to ±5° with respect to the theoretical position defined by said nomenclature.

[0044] It shall also be understood that any range of values offered may not be optimal in their end values and may require adaptations of the invention so that said end values are applicable, where said adaptations are within the reach of a person skilled in the art.

[0045] Other features of the invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of an embodiment.

Brief Description of the Figures

[0046] The foregoing and other advantages and features will be better understood based on the following detailed description of an embodiment in reference to the attached drawings which should be interpreted in an illustrative and non-limiting manner, in which:

Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a ceramic lattice portion formed by horizontal ceramic tubes parallel to one another, with anchorings provided with harpoon-shaped configurations inserted into the ends thereof and attached to one another by means of flexible connectors in the form of straps;

Figure 2 shows an assembled perspective view of the ceramic lattice portion shown in Figure 1, attached to a fixing system;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the ceramic lattice portion shown in Figures 1 and 2, but in a storage position, with the ceramic tubes stacked and the straps folded;

Figure 4 shows an exploded perspective view of a ceramic lattice portion formed by aligned vertical ceramic tubes, with anchorings provided with harpoon-shaped configurations inserted into the ends thereof and attached to one another by means of flexible connectors in the form of a hinge between the anchorings of two facing ends of two successive ceramic tubes, and in which there is shown a detail view of two anchorings attached by means of a hinge, in an unfolded position, and with a cable going through the chain of ceramic tubes through the hollow interior of the ceramic tubes, going through the anchorings, attached to a fixing plate located at the lower end of the chain of ceramic tubes and which, in this example, is associated with an anchoring;

Figure 5 shows an assembled perspective view of the ceramic lattice portion shown in Figure 4, attached to a fixing system, and with an upper end of the cable fixed to the fixing system, and with a lower end fixed to a fixing plate located at the lower end of the chain of ceramic tubes;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the ceramic lattice portion shown in Figures 4 and 5, but in a storage position, with the ceramic tubes stacked and the two anchorings connecting the ends of the ceramic tubes in an unfolded position.

Detailed Description of an Embodiment

[0047] The attached figures show illustrative, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention.

[0048] The lattice of ceramic tubes object of the present invention is formed by hollow ceramic tubes (10) attached to one another by means of a connection system forming chains of ceramic tubes.

[0049] Two different embodiments of the present invention are proposed. According to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the ceramic tubes (10) constituting a chain of ceramic tubes are parallel to one another, being located next to one another.

[0050] According to this embodiment, each ceramic tube (10) has an anchoring (20), formed by a harpoon-shaped configuration (21), partially inserted into the hollow interior thereof through one of its ends. Preferably, said anchoring (20) is formed by a metal sheet cut-out and folded to form two flanges, each flange integrating said harpoon-shaped configurations (21) on two opposite sides, allowing the insertion of said flanges into the hollow interior of the ceramic tube (10).

[0051] Preferably, the flanges, including the harpoon-shaped configurations (21), will have a width that is slightly greater than the inner width of the hollow interior of the ceramic tube, and the thickness of the sheet constituting the anchoring (20) will be selected so that the deformation resistance of the tips of the harpoon-shaped configuration is lower than the breaking strength of the ceramic tube, thereby ensuring that the tight insertion of the flanges into the hollow interior of the ceramic tube (10) will cause the harpoon-shaped configurations to deform without breaking the ceramic tube, thereby achieving a firm fixing.

[0052] The connection system includes two parallel tension elements fixed to a support by means of a fixing system (40) which, in this example, consists of a metal profile screwed onto said support, for example, a structure of a building.

[0053] All the ceramic tubes (10) of one and the same chain of ceramic tubes are located between the two tension elements, with one of the anchorings (20) thereof being fixed to one of the tension elements and the other one of the anchorings (20) being fixed to the other tension element, with the chain of ceramic tubes (10) being constituted by way of a rope ladder.

[0054] The segment of the tension element located between two successive anchorings (20) constitutes a flexible connector (30) which allows folding the chain of ceramic tubes for transport and storage, for example as shown in Figure 3.

[0055] In this example, the tension elements are straps, i.e., planar and flexible metal flats, that are wider than they are thick, which determines the ease of twisting or folding in the direction of their minimum inertia.

[0056] Preferably, one of the faces with a larger surface of the flats constituting the tension elements faces the ends of the ceramic tubes (10).

[0057] When attempt is made to fold the chain of ceramic tubes (10) in the direction of maximum inertia of the flat, i.e., when attempting to superimpose two successive ceramic tubes (10), the segment of the flat constituting a flexible connector (30) will naturally undergo a 90° twisting towards a first direction and then a 90° twisting in the opposite direction, recovering the original orientation, with a central area of the flexible connector (30) equidistant from the two adjacent ceramic tubes, located between the two twisted segments, being rotated 90° causing the folding thereof in the direction of minimum inertia of the flat, allowing the two successive ceramic tubes to be stacked.

[0058] In an alternative embodiment, two successive ceramic tubes will be located too close together to allow for the folding of the flexible connector arranged between them. In this case, one ceramic tube will be removed from the chain, where the folding of the flat is to be achieved, doubling the length of the flexible connector between two successive ceramic tubes. After unfolding, the removed ceramic tubes can then be placed again.

[0059] In this embodiment, each anchoring (20) also includes an anchoring tab (22). The tension elements include openings (23) into which there is inserted the anchoring tab (22), providing fixing and support to the ceramic tube.

[0060] Preferably, each opening (23) is formed by a U-shaped cut, defining a strap tab (24) which closes the opening (23). The elastic bending of the strap tab (24), when pushed by part of the anchoring tab (22), allows the insertion of the anchoring tab (22) into the opening (23). When the anchoring tab (22) moves down to its fixing position, the strap tab (24) returns to its original position, preventing the removal of the anchoring tab (22), since the anchoring tab (22) will be inserted only through the central part of the U-shaped cut and immobilized by the strap tab (24).

[0061] According to a second embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, the ceramic tubes (10) constituting a chain of ceramic tubes are successively aligned with one another, with their ends facing one another.

[0062] According to this second embodiment, each ceramic tube (10) has an anchoring (20) with a general configuration substantially the same as the one described in relation to the first embodiment, provided with harpoon-shaped configurations (21) but lacking the anchoring tab (22).

[0063] The anchorings (20) fixed to the facing ends of successive ceramic tubes are mutually connected by means of a flexible connector (30), allowing the angle formed by the two successive tubes to be modified.

[0064] According to one example, the two anchorings (20) attached through said flexible connector (30) are formed from one and the same cut-out and folded sheet, said flexible connector (30) being a fold line between both anchorings.

[0065] Alternatively, said flexible connector (30) can be a hinge fixed to both anchorings (20), or a band of flexible material fixed to both anchorings allowing the folding thereof, for example, a band of soft and flexible material adhered to both anchorings covering them, such that upon folding said band of flexible material, the two anchorings are superimposed with a double thickness of interposed flexible material.

[0066] The flexible connector (30) between successive anchorings (20) allows the angle existing between successive ceramic tubes (10) of the chain of ceramic tubes to be modified 180°, allowing them to be aligned, or alternatively to be arranged one next to the other, at least at certain points of the length thereof, for storage and transport, as shown in Figure 6.

[0067] In this case, the fixing system (40) consists, for example, of a metal profile screwed onto a support, for example, a structure of a building. Optionally, one or more cables, such as the one shown in Figure 4, can be included, going through the entire length of the chain of ceramic tubes through the hollow interior of the ceramic tubes, going through the interposed anchorings, with an upper end of the cable being fixed to the mentioned metal profile, and with a lower end being fixed to another equivalent metal profile or to a fixing plate provided for retaining the chain of ceramic tubes above same. Said fixing plate can optionally be associated with an anchoring to ensure a correct positioning of the lower end of the last ceramic tube of the chain of ceramic tubes.

[0068] It is also contemplated that the cable may be attached to intermediate fixing plates, interposed between the ceramic tubes of the chain of ceramic tubes, providing intermediate support, reducing the loads supported at the lower end of the chain of ceramic tubes. Said intermediate fixing plates can be associated with or integrated in the anchorings described above.

[0069] It is also contemplated that the intermediate fixing plates include elastic means to allow a certain movement between the cable and the fixing plate, thereby ensuring that a certain tension is obtained in all the segments of the cable.

[0070] The chain of ceramic tubes can be supported on said metal profile or can hang from same. According to one embodiment, the last anchoring of the chain will be fixed directly to said metal profile. It is also proposed that the metal profile has, fixed thereto, one or more tension elements going through the chain of ceramic tubes through the hollow interiors thereof.

Claims

1. A lattice of ceramic tubes comprising

a plurality of ceramic tubes (10), each provided with a hollow interior accessible through two opposite ends of the ceramic tube (10),

a connection system mutually connecting the plurality of ceramic tubes (10), forming a chain of ceramic tubes,

a fixing system (40) anchoring the connection system to a support;

wherein the connection system comprises an anchoring (20) for each end of each ceramic tube (10) inserted by pressure into a portion of the hollow interior of the ceramic tube (10) adjacent to the end thereof,

characterized in that the connection system further comprises a flexible connector (30) mutually connecting the anchorings (20) of successive ceramic tubes (10) adjacent to one another within the chain of ceramic tubes (10), the flexible connector being configured for allowing a 180° folding between successive segments of the chain of ceramic tubes, allowing the chain of ceramic tubes to be folded through the flexible connectors (30) for storage and transport.

2. The lattice of ceramic tubes according to claim 1, wherein the flexible connector (30) is anisotropic in bending.

3. The lattice of ceramic tubes according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each anchoring (20) includes a harpoon-shaped configuration (21), or a harpoon-shaped configuration (21) with teeth oriented to facilitate insertion thereof into the hollow interior of the ceramic tubes (10) and to hinder extraction thereof from same.

4. The lattice of ceramic tubes according to claim 3, wherein each anchoring (20) is formed by a folded sheet metal, including the harpoon-shaped configuration (21) at the edges of said sheet metal.

5. The lattice of ceramic tubes according to any one of preceding claims 1 to 4, wherein the chain of ceramic tubes is a succession of ceramic tubes parallel to one another hanging from the fixing system (40) through two tension elements, in the form of straps running along the entire chain of ceramic tubes (10), each ceramic tube (10) being attached to a strap at one end and to the other strap at the opposite end, wherein portions of said straps constitute the flexible connectors (30) of the connection system.

6. The lattice of ceramic tubes according to claim 5, wherein each strap is oriented, within the chain of ceramic tubes, with its maximum length and maximum width perpendicular to the maximum length of the ceramic tubes, with the two straps facing one another.

7. The lattice of ceramic tubes according to claim 6, wherein each strap has, in the portions constituting a flexible connector, a slenderness selected to cause the twisting of the strap as a result of lateral buckling when the strap is folded 180° in the direction of maximum inertia, defined by the maximum width of the strap, said twisting as a result of lateral buckling modifying the orientation of a segment of the strap reducing its inertia and facilitating its folding.

8. The lattice of ceramic tubes according to claim 5, 6, or 7, wherein each anchoring (20) is formed entirely by a folded sheet and includes an anchoring tab (22) inserted into an opening (23) provided in the strap, or a threading opening in an anchoring tab of the strap, with each anchoring (20) hanging from the strap.

9. The lattice of ceramic tubes according to claim 8, wherein each opening (23) of the strap is formed by a U-shaped cut defining a strap tab (24) which retains the anchoring tab (22) in the opening (23), preventing extraction thereof without first elastically deforming the strap tab (24).

10. The lattice of ceramic tubes according to any one of preceding claims 1 to 4, wherein the chain of ceramic tubes is an aligned succession of coaxial ceramic tubes with the corresponding anchorings superimposed and confined between the ends of two successive ceramic tubes.

11. The lattice of ceramic tubes according to claim 10, wherein the chain of ceramic tubes hangs from the fixing system (40) through at least one tension element running along the hollow interior of the ceramic tubes.

12. The lattice of ceramic tubes according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the anchorings of two ends of successive ceramic tubes are attached to one another by means of a flexible connector which defines a hinge between said two anchorings.

13. The lattice of ceramic tubes according to claim 12, wherein the two anchorings (20) of two ends of successive ceramic tubes and the flexible connector connecting same are formed by a single folded sheet metal.

14. The lattice of ceramic tubes according to claim 10, 11, 12, or 13, wherein the anchorings (20) confined between the ends of two successive ceramic tubes include centering configurations provided for aligning successive ceramic tubes when the two anchorings are superimposed.

15. An installation method for installing a lattice of ceramic tubes such as the one described in any one of preceding claims, wherein the method comprises:

manufacturing a chain of ceramic tubes formed by a plurality of hollow ceramic tubes attached to one another by a connection system, each end of each ceramic tube (10) being fixed to the connection system by means of an anchoring (20), which is part of said connection system, inserted by pressure into a portion of the hollow interior of the ceramic tube (10) adjacent to said end;

fixing the chain of ceramic tubes to a support by means of a fixing system (40);

characterized in that the method further comprises, after manufacturing and before fixing the chain of ceramic tubes:

folding the chain of ceramic tubes for storage by folding and superimposing successive segments of the chain of ceramic tubes by means of a 180° folding of a flexible connector (30), which is part of the connection system, existing between the successive segments of the chain of ceramic tubes mutually connecting the anchorings (20); and

transporting the folded chain of ceramic tubes to an installation site, and proceeding to unfold the chain of ceramic tubes in said site for fixing thereof.

16. The installation method according to claim 15, wherein the 180° folding of the connection system is an elastic folding without plastic deformation.

17. The installation method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the chain of ceramic tubes is stored on a pallet for transport.

Drawing