AU2013373710A1

AU2013373710A1 - Panel securing mechanism for a game court enclosure

Info

Publication number: AU2013373710A1
Application number: AU2013373710A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jose Miguel Suarez Ortega
Original assignee: Aluminios La Serena S A
Current assignee: ALUMINIOS LA SERENA SA
Priority date: 2013-01-21
Filing date: 2013-01-21
Publication date: 2015-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 2033-01-21
Also published as: PT2947237T; EP2947237A4; EP2947237B1; EP2947237A1; AU2013373710B2; US20160032613A1; WO2014111602A1; ES2637204T3

Abstract

The invention relates to a securing mechanism comprising an extruded profile, at least one connecting flat and first means for securing the connecting flats to the extruded profile. The extruded profile is disposed on the outside of at least one foot for anchoring to the ground and comprises longitudinal C-shaped grooves having opposing projections for securing the connecting flats. According to the invention, the first securing means comprise a solid profile disposed inside the longitudinal groove of the extruded profile, extending along the length thereof. The solid profile in turn comprises contact surfaces disposed on both sides of a securing projection. The contact surfaces are forced against the inner faces of the opposing projections of the groove when at least one screw of the first securing means is screwed into the solid profile by means of its securing projection.

Description

- 1 PANEL FASTENING MECHANISM FOR ENCLOSING SPORT COURTS OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention refers to the field of the mechanisms for fastening the sheet glass or metal mesh panels making up the enclosure of sport courts, e.g. paddle tennis courts. 10 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The enclosures for sport courts, e.g. paddle tennis courts, are usually made up of a plurality of 15 vertical posts arranged equidistant to each other according to a flat, rectangular arrangement. The posts consist of a prismatic foot fastened to an anchor plate and of an extruded profile outwardly 20 coupled to said foot. Said posts support conveniently arranged sheet glass and metal mesh panels, forming the enclosure up to a certain height. There are known mechanisms for fastening the 25 panels to the posts to make up the enclosure. For example, Spanish utility model application 1070784, published on 27 October 2009, shows an enclosure for a paddle tennis court wherein the extruded profiles of the posts frontally have two C-section longitudinal grooves 30 for the optional mounting of corner profiles for fastening the glass sheets or means of fastening of horizontal crosspieces. The extruded profile includes machined side 35 holes which go all the way through to the longitudinal - 2 grooves and define areas for mounting means of fastening of horizontal joining crosspieces between successive extruded profiles and for supporting means of holding of glass sheets and metal meshes. 5 The previous fastening mechanism has drawbacks in that it is a complex and limited solution since it does not allow the horizontal crosspieces to be fastened at any height of the extruded profile that is required. 10 The fastening of said horizontal crosspieces is restricted to the mounting areas defined by the holes machined on the sides of the extruded profile. Consequently, it is not possible to allow in the 15 assembly of the enclosure for variations in the dimensions of the panel to be fastened that might exist as a result of a lack of precision in the process of manufacture of said panel. That is, it is not possible to adjust, in a quick and easy manner, the fastening of 20 the horizontal crosspiece to the vertical post as per the actual dimensions of the panel to be fastened. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 25 In view of the aforementioned, the present invention refers to a panel fastening mechanism for enclosing sport courts. The mechanism comprises a prismatic extruded 30 profile, at least one joining flat and first means of fastening of the joining flats to the extruded profile. The extruded profile is arranged on the outside of at least one ground anchoring foot and comprises 35 longitudinal grooves having a C-shaped cross section and - 3 arranged on its outer wall. On the upper ends of the longitudinal grooves, i.e. opposite their base, there are arranged opposite projections, facing each other, which extend along the longitudinal groove to make it 5 possible to hold the joining flats. On the other hand, the joining flats have an L shaped cross section and are optionally fastened, by means of second fastening means, to a glass panel or to 10 horizontal crosspieces of a metal mesh panel. In the case of the first fastening means, they comprise a solid profile arranged along and on the inside of the longitudinal groove of the extruded 15 profile. The solid profile in turn comprises contact surfaces arranged on both sides of a fastening projection. Said contact surfaces are embedded against the inner faces of the opposite projections of the 20 groove when at least one screw of the first fastening means is screwed into the solid profile by means of its fastening projection. Thus, it is possible to fasten, in a simple and 25 agile manner, the joining flats to the extruded profile to support either the glass panels or the metal mesh panels. The fastening of the joining profiles to the 30 extruded profile can be done at any height of said profile that is required, it being possible to easily account for, right when the assembly of the enclosure is undertaken, the potential inaccuracies made in the sizing of the panels during their manufacturing process. 35 -4 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present specification is complemented with a set of figures, which illustrate the preferred example 5 of the invention and never limit the latter. Figure 1 shows a top perspective view of a sport court whose enclosure is made using the panel fastening mechanism of the present invention. 10 Figure 2 shows a top sectional view of a first embodiment example of the fastening mechanism used between glass panels of the enclosure of the sport court of Figure 1. 15 Figure 3 shows a top sectional view of a second embodiment example of the fastening mechanism used between metal mesh panels of the enclosure of the sport court of Figure 1. 20 Figure 4 shows a side sectional view of a first embodiment example of the horizontal crosspiece of the metal mesh panel of Figure 3. 25 Figure 5 shows a side sectional view of a second embodiment example of the horizontal crosspiece of the metal mesh panel of Figure 3. Figure 6 shows a top sectional view of a second 30 embodiment example of the fastening mechanism of Figure 3, used between metal mesh panels, with means of support of a net. Figure 7 shows a top sectional view of a third 35 embodiment example of the fastening mechanism, used - 5 between the corners of the enclosure of the sport court of Figure 1, between a glass and a metal mesh panel. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention is a panel fastening mechanism for enclosing sport courts. As can be seen in Figure 1, a sport court, e.g. 10 a paddle tennis court, comprises a plurality of conveniently arranged glass panels (6) and metal mesh panels (7), forming the enclosure of said sport court. In the arrangement of the panels in the 15 enclosure, a fastening mechanism is used allowing the joining of two glass panels (6) or two metal mesh panels (7), as well as of a glass panel (6) and a metal mesh panel (7), to be carried out. 20 As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 7, the fastening mechanism comprises a prismatic extruded profile (1), at least a joining flat (2) and first means of fastening (3) of the joining flats (2) to the extruded profile (1). 25 The extruded profile (1) is arranged on the outside of at least one ground anchoring foot (4), i.e. the ground anchoring foot (4) is housed inside the extruded profile (1). As can be seen in Figure 1, the 30 ground anchoring foots (4) are equidistantly arranged covering the entire perimeter of the sport court, with a view to fastening on top of them the enclosure of the court made up of the set of glass panels (6) and metal mesh panels (7) 35 - 6 The extruded profile (1) comprises longitudinal grooves (1.1) having a C-shaped cross section, whose upper ends form opposite projections (1.11), facing each other, which allow the joining flats (2) to be held or 5 retained when said joining flat (2) is fastened to the extruded profile (1) by means of the first fastening means (3). In the first and second embodiment examples of 10 the fastening mechanism shown in Figures 2 and 3, the extruded profile (1) has a substantially rectangular cross section. Likewise, in these cases, the longitudinal 15 grooves (1.1) are preferably arranged aligned and opposite each other, close to one of the ends of the long sides of the extruded profile (1). In the case of the embodiment of Figure 3, i.e. 20 when the idea is to fasten two adjacent metal mesh panels (7), the ends of the long sides of the extruded profile (1), to which the longitudinal grooves (1.1) are close, preferably include second grooves (1.2) having a U-shaped cross section, also aligned and opposite each 25 other. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2, in the case of the joining of two adjacent glass panels (6), the longitudinal grooves (1.1) are preferably joined at 30 one of the ends of their bases (1.12), forming an inner wall (1.3) of the extruded profile (1). In this case, the extruded profile (1) is fastened to the outside of the ground anchoring foot (4) 35 by means of three of its sides and the inner wall (1.3).

However, in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, i.e. the joining of two adjacent metal mesh panels (7), the extruded profile (1) is fastened to the outside of 5 the ground anchoring foot (4) by means of three of its sides and the side walls (1.13) of the longitudinal grooves (1.1). As can be seen in Figure 6, two extruded 10 profiles (1) may be arranged in line, rigidly joined to each other at one of their short sides, on the outside of two ground anchoring foots (4), in order to be used as a support structure for a net (not shown in the figures). 15 On the other hand, in the third embodiment example of the fastening mechanism shown in Figure 7, i.e. in the case of the joining of panels at the corners of the enclosure, e.g. of a glass panel (6) and a metal 20 mesh panel (7), the extruded profile (1) has a cross section made up of two perpendicular sides (1.4) whose closest ends are joined by an angular section (1.5) and whose farthest ends are joined to straight sections (1.6). Said straight sections (1.6) are perpendicular to 25 each other and are joined by a diagonally arranged section (1.7), closing the cross section of the extruded profile (1). In this case, the longitudinal grooves (1.1) are 30 arranged on the perpendicular sides (1.4) of the extruded profile (1). Preferably, at the ends closest to each other of said perpendicular sides (1.4). Likewise, in this embodiment example of Figure 35 7, the extruded profile (1) is arranged on the outside - 8 of a set of two ground anchoring foots (4). Said ground anchoring foots (4) are joined at one of their corners and oriented perpendicularly to each other. 5 In this case, the extruded profile (1) is fastened on the outside of the set of two ground anchoring foots (4) by means of its straight sections (1.6), the bases (1.12) of the longitudinal grooves (1.1) and projections (1.71, 1.121), the latter 10 extending in a direction parallel to the wall of the ground anchoring foot (4) to which they are fastened. Said projections (1.71, 1.121) are arranged on each end of the diagonally arranged section (1.7) and on the ends closest to each other of the bases (1.12) of the grooves 15 (1.1) respectively. On the other hand, as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 7, the first fastening means (3) comprise a solid profile (3.1) and at least one screw (3.2) suitable for 20 being screwed into said solid profile (3.1). The solid profile (3.1) is arranged along and on the inside of the longitudinal groove (1.1) of the extruded profile (1). Said solid profile (3.1) is 25 preferably made of an aluminium alloy. Likewise, the solid profile (3.1) comprises contact surfaces (3.11) arranged on both sides of a fastening projection (3.12). Said fastening projection 30 (3.12) fits between the opposite projections (1.11) of the groove (1.1), and the contact surfaces (3.11) are embedded against the inner faces of said opposite projections (1.11), when at least one of the screws (3.2) is screwed into the solid profile (3.1) by means 35 of its fastening projection (3.12), to fasten the - 9 joining flat (2) to the extruded profile (1). The solid profile (3.1) may have threaded holes, with the same dimensions of that of the screws (3.2), 5 arranged equidistant to each other along the entire central length of the fastening projection (3.12), or said holes may be made on the fastening projection (3.12) at the time of screwing the screw (3.2) into said solid profile (3.1), the height at which the joining 10 flat (2) is required to be fastened to the extruded profile (1) being taken into account. Likewise, the screw (3.2) is preferably screwed in one go into the solid profile (3.1) and into the 15 longitudinal groove (1.1) by means of its base (1.12). On the other hand, the cross section of the solid profile (3.1) can substantially have the shape of a quadrangle, wherein the contact surfaces (3.11) and 20 the fastening projection (3.12) are arranged on one of the long sides of said quadrangle. Likewise, the solid profile (3.1) preferably has a substantially trapezoidal cross section, wherein the 25 contact surfaces (3.11) and the fastening projection (3.12) are arranged on the long side of the trapezium. In the case of the joining flats (2), they have an L-shaped cross section and may be optionally 30 fastened, by means of second fastening means (5), to a glass panel (6) or to horizontal crosspieces (7.1) of a metal mesh panel (7). Any of the known fastening means, e.g. pressure 35 screws, may be used as second fastening means (5).

- 10 As can be seen in Figure 4, in a first embodiment example of the horizontal crosspiece (7.1), the latter can comprise a substantially rectangular 5 cross section with a hollow (7.1) made in one of its short ends. However, as shown in Figure 5, in a second embodiment example, the short end of the cross section 10 of said horizontal crosspiece (7.1) has two hollows (7.11) aligned and opposite each other made in it. The ends of the metal mesh of a metal mesh panel (7) are fastened between the hollows (7.11) of the 15 horizontal crosspieces (7.1) and the second grooves (1.2) existing in the extruded profile (1) - see Figure 3. The horizontal crosspiece (7.1) with two hollows 20 (7.11) is used in intermediate metal mesh panels (7). In other words, panels which are not arranged on the upper or lower end of the enclosure. Conversely, the horizontal crosspiece (7.1) with 25 a hollow (7.11) is used to fasten the ends of the metal mesh when said horizontal crosspiece (7.1) is arranged at the ends of the enclosure or adjoining a glass panel (6).

Claims

1.- A panel fastening mechanism for enclosing sport courts comprising a prismatic extruded profile 5 (1), at least one joining flat (2) and first means of fastening (3) of the joining flats (2) of the extruded profile (1), said extruded profile (1) being arranged on the outside of at least one ground anchoring foot (4) and comprising longitudinal grooves (1.1) having a C 10 shaped cross section, with opposite projections (1.11), for holding the joining flats (2), said joining flats (2) having an L-shaped cross section and optionally being fastened, by means of second fastening means (5), to a glass panel (6) o to horizontal crosspieces (7.1) 15 of a metal mesh panel (7), characterised in that the first fastening means (3) comprise a solid profile (3.1) arranged along and on the inside of the longitudinal groove (1.1) of the extruded profile (1), the solid profile (3.1) comprising in turn contact surfaces (3.11) 20 arranged on both sides of a fastening projection (3.12), the contact surfaces (3.11) being embedded against the inner faces of the opposite projections (1.11) of the groove (1.1) when at least one screw (3.2) of the first fastening means (3) is screwed into the solid profile 25 (3.1) by means of its fastening projection (3.12), to fasten the joining flat (2) to the extruded profile (1).

2.- A fastening mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the section of the solid profile (3.1) substan 30 tially has the shape of a quadrangle, wherein the con tact surfaces (3.11) and the fastening projection (3.12) are arranged on one of its long sides. 35 3.- A fastening mechanism according to claim 2, - 12 wherein the solid profile (3.1) has a substantially trapezoidal section, wherein the contact surfaces (3.11) and the fastening projection (3.12) are arranged on its long side. 5

4.- A fastening mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the extruded profile (1) has a substantially rectangular section, and the longitudinal grooves (1.1) are arranged aligned and opposite to each other, close 10 to one of the ends of the long sides of the extruded profile (1).

5.- A fastening mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the ends of the long sides of the extruded 15 profile (1), to which the longitudinal grooves (1.1) are close, include second grooves (1.2) having a U-shaped cross section and aligned and opposite to each other.

6.- A fastening mechanism according to claim 4, 20 wherein the longitudinal grooves (1.1) are joined at one of the ends of their bases (1.12), forming an inner wall (1.3) of the extruded profile (1).

7.- A fastening mechanism according to claim 6, 25 wherein the extruded profile (1) is fastened to the outside of the ground anchoring foot (4) by means of three of its sides and the inner wall (1.3).

8.- A fastening mechanism according to claim 4, 30 wherein the extruded profile (1) is fastened to the outside of the ground anchoring foot (4) by means of three of its sides and side walls (1.13) of the longitu dinal grooves (1.1). 35 9.- A fastening mechanism according to claim 8, - 13 wherein two extruded profiles (1) are arranged in line, rigidly joined together at one of their short sides, on the outside of two ground anchoring foots (4) as a support structure for a net. 5

10.- A fastening mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the extruded profile (1) has a section made up of two perpendicular sides (1.4) whose closest ends are joined by an angular section (1.5) and whose farthest 10 ends are joined to straight sections (1.6), said straight sections (1.6) being perpendicular to each other and joined by a diagonally arranged section (1.7).

11.- A fastening mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the longitudinal grooves (1.1) are arranged 15 on the perpendicular sides (1.4) of the extruded profile (1).

12.- A fastening mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the extruded profile (1) is arranged on the 20 outside of a set of two ground anchoring foots (4), which are joined at one of their corners and perpendicu larly oriented among each other, the extruded profile (1) being fastened to the set of two ground anchoring foots (4) by means of its straight sections (1.6), the 25 bases (1.12) of the longitudinal grooves (1.1) and projections (1.71, 1.121) arranged on the ends of the diagonally arranged section (1.7) and on the ends clos est to each other of the bases (1.12) respectively. 30 13.- A fastening mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal crosspiece (7.1) comprises a substantially rectangular section with at least one hollow (7.11) made in one of its short ends. 35 14.- A fastening mechanism according to claims 5 - 14 and 14, wherein the ends of the metal mesh of a metal mesh panel (7) are fastened in the hollows (7.11) of the horizontal crosspieces (7.1) and the second grooves (1.2) of the extruded profile (1). 5

15.- A fastening mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the screw (3.2) of the first fastening means (3) is screwed in one go into the solid profile (3.1) and into the longitudinal groove (1.1) by means of its base 10 (1.12).