EP0651108B1 - Joint for connecting frame's component parts - Google Patents

Abstract

This relates to the connection of two liners (13) using fishplates (30) which, arranged on either side of these liners (13), each include, at some distance from each other, two holed areas (33A, 33B) for fixing them to these liners (13). According to the invention, on the one hand, one of the holed areas (33A) of a fishplate (30) being intended to allow it to be fastened to one of the liners (13), the holes of the other of the holed areas (33B) are all longitudinally elongated in the form of slots, in order to allow free passage of the fixing members (35) ensuring corollary fastening of the other fishplate (30) to the other of the liners (13) and, on the other hand, each of the fishplates (30) includes a heel (42) for supporting a secondary liner (15). Application, in particular, to the construction of false ceilings. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates generally to the frames used for hanging plasterboard or other, for example for the realization of a ceiling, or, more precisely, a false ceiling.

It relates more particularly to the case where such a framework is formed, on the one hand, of a first network of furs, or primary furs, which, arranged parallel to each other, are for example hung by hangers on any structure support, and, on the other hand, a second network of furs, or secondary furs, which also arranged parallel to each other, but in a direction orthogonal to that in which the primary furs extend, are snapped from place to place on these primary furs, the plates to be fixed being for example attached by screwing on the grid assembly thus formed.

To connect one to the other two primary furs arranged in alignment with each other, it is customary to use fishplates.

These fishplates, which are to be combined with a fishplate of the same type to enclose two furs to be connected, comprise, to date, simply, at a distance from each other, two drilling zones each having at least one drilling for the passage of a fixing member, in practice a screw, at the rate of a drilling area for each of the furs to be connected.

The primary furs connected by such fishplates are therefore to date rigidly coupled to one another.

However, within the framework of the normative provisions to be observed with regard to fire resistance, it is desirable that, having regard to the expansion of which they are not without being the object when they are subjected to a certain temperature, these primary furs can play longitudinally relative to one another.

Failing this, in fact, it may result from their expansion a parasitic deformation of the frame, a buckling for example, of a nature to harm the mechanical strength of the whole, and therefore the fire resistance.

In document GB-A-1 057 551, two ribs are provided, as before, but, to allow possible expansion of the furs which they connect, they are mounted jointly sliding with respect to these furs, being secured l 'to each other by fasteners which pass through these furs with the aid of buttonholes provided for this purpose therein.

In document US-A-3,189,138, two fishplates are also provided, but these intervene only on a single fur, in line with a notch affecting only the only central core thereof, without also affecting its lower lateral wings, so that, under the effects of possible expansion, these are locally subject to deformation.

In document GB-A-1 057 551, only a splint is provided, which, fixed to one of the furs that it connects, is slidably mounted relative to the other of these.

In all cases, the splice bar (s) used do not participate in the creation of the frame concerned.

The present invention generally relates to a provision allowing, on the contrary, such an adaptation and also leading to other advantages.

More specifically, it relates to a splint to be combined with a splint of the same type to enclose two furs to be connected and comprising, at a distance from each other, two drilling zones each having at least one drilling for the passage of a fixing member, this splint being generally characterized in that, on the one hand, one of the drilling zones being intended to allow it to be secured to one of the furs, the or the holes of the other drilling area are all elongated in the buttonhole, to allow the free passage of the fixing member (s) corollarily ensuring the fixing of the other splint to the other of the furs, and, secondly, it has a heel, for supporting a secondary fur.

Thus, according to the invention, one of the splices used is secured to one of the furs to be connected and the other to the other of these.

Thanks to the longitudinally elongated buttonhole bores which they comprise, these fishplates are advantageously able to absorb, within the limits of these bores, the expansion of the furs which they connect, without risk of deformation for any part thereof. .

The fire resistance is thus reinforced, which advantageously allows the assembly to be reassembled in the corresponding classification.

While advantageously ensuring the continuity of the mechanical qualities of the furs that they connect, the fishplates used according to the invention can also, if desired, thanks to the heel that they comprise, locally replace these furs for the support of secondary furs.

The continuity of the framework concerned is thus advantageously ensured.

In practice, the fishplates used according to the invention can advantageously be installed in line with the joints between plates, and these can advantageously be supported in line with these fishplates.

According to a development of the invention, the fishplates used are also advantageously suitable for another application than the only end-to-end connection of two aligned furs.

Indeed, they each have, at one of their ends, to form a joint, a bore which, elongated in a buttonhole, extends in an arc of a circle around a round bore on which it is centered.

Therefore, themselves arranged end to end with each other by the articulation that they comprise, these fishplates advantageously make it possible to connect two furs at an angle, and for example at an obtuse angle or a right angle , ensuring as previously if desired the support of the plates in line with the corresponding joint.

They therefore lend themselves advantageously, no longer to the sole production of essentially flat ceilings or false ceilings, but also to that of panels making a dihedral between them, as may be the case for the equipment, for example of attics, or for the setting up specific containment enclosures, such as those existing for example in certain performance halls or in certain recording rooms.

The fishplates used according to the invention are also advantageously identical to each other.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'une ossature dont les fourrures primaires sont reliées deux à deux par des éclisses suivant l'invention ;
• la figure 2 reprend, avec des arrachements locaux, et à échelle supérieure, le détail de la figure 1 repéré par un encart II sur cette figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est, à l'échelle de la figure 2, une vue en perspective d'une éclisse suivant l'invention ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en élévation de cette éclisse, suivant la flèche IV de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 5 en est une vue en plan, suivant la flèche V de la figure 4 ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en élévation illustrant une autre application de l'éclisse suivant l'invention.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, by way of example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a frame whose primary furs are connected in pairs by fishplates according to the invention;
• Figure 2 shows, with local cutouts, and on a larger scale, the detail of Figure 1 identified by an insert II in this Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is, on the scale of Figure 2, a perspective view of a splint according to the invention;
• Figure 4 is an elevational view of this splint, along arrow IV of Figure 3;
• Figure 5 is a plan view, along arrow V of Figure 4;
• Figure 6 is an elevational view illustrating another application of the splint according to the invention.

Figure 1 illustrates, by way of example, the application of the invention to the establishment of a ceiling 10, or false ceiling, consisting of plates 11 arranged side by side in the same plane.

The plates 11 are for example plasterboard.

By plasterboard is meant here, in the usual way, plates which, essentially formed of plaster, have a sheet of cardboard on both of their faces.

The framework 12 used to support the plates 11 is formed, on the one hand, by a first network of furs 13, or primary furs, which, established from place to place parallel to each other, are hooked by lines 14 to any support structure not shown, and, on the other hand, a second network of furs 15, or secondary furs, which, also established from place to place parallel to each other, but according to a direction orthogonal to that in which the furs 13 extend, pass continuously through these furs 13 while being snapped onto them substantially level with their lower surface.

The plates 11 are attached by screwing onto the grid assembly which thus constitute the furs 13 and 15 jointly.

In the embodiment shown, the furs 13 are metal profiles having an I-shaped profile in cross section.

They therefore have a central core 16, and, along the upper and lower edges thereof, lateral wings 18.

In the embodiment shown, the lower lateral wings 18 each have a square return 19 along their free edge, parallel to the central core 16.

In the embodiment shown, the furs 15, which are also metal profiles, have a partially closed U-shaped profile in cross section.

In practice, they comprise a middle part 20 and two lateral wings 21, with, along the free edge of the latter, angled returns 22 which, parallel to the middle part 20, are directed towards one another.

Both the middle part 20 and the lateral wings 21 have longitudinally stiffening ribs.

The foregoing arrangements are well known in themselves, and, not falling within the scope of the present invention, they will not be described in more detail here.

It is the same with the mode of snap-fastening of the furs 15 onto the furs 13, this mode of snap-fitting being in particular described in the French patent which, filed on March 8, 1985 under No 85 03424, was published under No 2,578,570.

Also described in the French patent which, filed on November 7, 1985 under No 85 16487, was published under No 2 589 907, the lines 14 are also well known in themselves, and therefore will not be described in full detail here.

It will suffice to indicate that they comprise, on the one hand, a jumper 24, which, by wings 25, encloses the upper lateral wings 18 of the fur 13 on which it is attached, and, on the other hand, a threaded rod 26, which is in screw connection with a nut 27 rotatably mounted on the jumper 24 while being trapped therein.

In the embodiment shown, the wings 25 of the rider 24 each extend by two legs 28, which, from one wing 25 to the other, are connected to each other by screws 29 passing through the core central 16 of the fur 13.

The hanger 14 concerned is thus advantageously immobilized on the fur 13, and its mechanical strength is jointly advantageously reinforced, the screws 29 opposing the opening of its jumper 24.

In a manner known per se, finally, the aligned furs 13 are connected in pairs by splints 30, at a distance from the lines 14.

Each of these fishplates 30, which is to be combined with a fishplate 30 of the same type to enclose the two furs 13 to be connected, is formed of a plate 32 to be applied to the central core 16 of these furs 13 and comprises, at a distance one from the other, on this plate 32, two drilling zones 33A, 33B each having at least one bore 34A, 34B for the passage of a fixing member 35, in this case a self-tapping screw capable of screw itself into the central core 16 of the furs 13.

According to the invention, one of the drilling zones 33A, 33B, in this case the drilling zone 33A, being intended to allow each of the fishplates 30 to be secured to one of the furs 13, the hole (s) 34B of the other of the piercing zones 33A, 33B, in this case those of the piercing zone 33B, are all elongated longitudinally in a buttonhole, parallel to each other, and parallel to the direction of elongation of the furs 13, to allow the free passage of the fastener (s) 35 ensuring as a corollary the joining of the other splint 30 to the other of the furs 13.

In the embodiment shown, between these drilling areas 33A, 33B, there is at least one additional hole 36, also extended lengthwise in the buttonhole, parallel to the holes 34B, for the passage of a connecting member 37 to be established transversely. from one to the other of the ribs 30, between the furs 13 to be connected.

In the embodiment shown, the drilling area 33B comprises a plurality of holes 34B, arranged transversely in two columns.

For example, and as shown, one of these columns comprises, staggered in height, three holes 34B, and the other two.

All these 34B holes have the same length L.

Similarly, the drilling area 33A comprises a plurality of holes 34A, arranged transversely in two columns.

For example, and as shown, each of these columns comprises, staggered in height, three holes 34A.

All these 34A holes are simple round holes.

In practice, the piercing zone 33B is arranged in the immediate vicinity of one of the ends of the plate 32, and the piercing zone 33A in the immediate vicinity of the other of these ends.

In the embodiment shown, there are, between the drilling areas 33A, 33B, at least one pair of additional holes 36, 38, of which only one, in this case the hole 36, is elongated in the buttonhole, and of which the 'other, in this case the hole 38, is arranged in alignment with the first, that is to say in alignment with the hole 36, distance from it.

In practice, between the drilling zones 33A, 33B, there are at least two additional pairs of holes 36, 38, staggered transversely in height, in two parallel lines.

The holes 36 have the same length L, equal to that of the holes 34B.

The holes 38 are simple round holes.

In practice, the connecting member 37 associated with an additional bore 36, 38 is a simple bolt, that is to say a simple screw 40-nut assembly 41, the nut 41 of which is blind.

The length of the screw 40 is such that, with the nut 41 being screwed in all the way, the fishplates 30 have sufficient play to be able to slide relative to one another on one or the other of the flanges 13 they flank.

According to the invention, each of the fishplates 30 comprises a heel 42, for supporting a secondary fur 15.

In the embodiment shown, each of the fishplates 30 comprises, along its lower edge, a notch 39, and the heel 42 intervenes in the eccentric position therein.

In practice, it is a heel 42 suitable for the snap-fastening of the secondary fur, according to arrangements of the type described in French patent No. 85 03424 mentioned above.

In practice, also, the notch 39 extends from the drilling area 33A to the drilling area 33B, biting lightly thereon.

The heel 42 is eccentric in this notch 39 insofar as it is located closer to one of its ends, in practice that close to the drilling area 33A with holes 34A round, than the other of these.

This heel 42 is in one piece with the plate 32, and extends along the plane of the latter.

In the embodiment shown, the notch 39 generally has a rectangular outline.

Along at least part of the bottom of its notch 39, and, in practice, all along this bottom, each splint 30 comprises, for its stiffening, a return to square 43 which, coming from the very cutting of the '' notch 39, with, affecting itself, a cutout 44 having allowed the formation of the heel 42, extends perpendicular to the plate 32 and has, along its free edge, parallel to this plate 32, a return square 45.

Along at least part of its lower edge, and, in practice, throughout the latter except for the notch 39, each splint 30 also includes, for its stiffening, on both sides of this notch 39, and perpendicular to its plate 32, a return to square 46.

Along at least part of its upper edge, and, in practice, all along it, each splint 30 comprises, moreover, perpendicular to its plate 32, on the same side as the angle returns 43, 46 above, a U-shaped fold 48, by which it is capable of bypassing and enveloping one of the upper lateral wings 18 of the furs 13 to be connected.

In the embodiment shown, this U-shaped fold 48, which is integral with the plate 32, in continuity with the latter, is extended by a tongue 50 in the plane of this plate 32.

In the embodiment shown, each splint 30 comprises, at one of its ends, in practice that close to the drilling area 33A with round holes 34A, to form a joint 51, a hole 52, which, elongated in the buttonhole , extends in an arc around a round hole 53 on which it is centered.

In practice, the round bore 53 extends substantially in line with the corresponding transverse edge of the plate 32, and the joint 51 forms a local extension of the latter.

Jointly, the arcuate hole 52 extends partly on the joint 51 and partly on the plate 32, between the round hole 53 and the upper edge of the latter.

In the embodiment shown, the arcuate bore 52 extends substantially over 90 °.

The edge of the joint 51 is rounded in an arc, also being centered on the round bore 53, and it tangentially connects with the lower edge of the plate 32.

Along at least part of the edge of this articulation 51, and, in practice, all along this edge, each splint 30 comprises, for its stiffening, perpendicular to its plate 32, on the same side as the angle returns 43, 46, a return square 54, which is connected to the return square 46, in continuity therewith.

In the embodiment shown, each splint 30 comprises, for its stiffening, at the other of its transverse ends, that is to say that close to the drilling area 33B with holes 34B elongated in the buttonhole, a return at square 55, which extends perpendicular to its plate 32 over at least part of its height, and, in practice, over the whole thereof, on the same side as the returns at square 43, 46 and 54.

Leaving aside the articulation 51, which constitutes a local extension thereof, the plate 32 of each splint 30 has a generally rectangular outline.

In practice, the two fishplates 30 to be paired to connect two furs 13 are identical to each other, and, like these, they are preferably metallic.

To connect the two furs 13, which, aligned with each other, leave between them a space 56, as shown diagrammatically in broken lines in FIG. 5, the two ribs 30 are each arranged on each side respectively of these furs 13, as shown in solid line for one of them in FIG. 5 and as shown diagrammatically in broken lines for the other of these in this FIG. 5, and they are in practice implanted head- spade, one of these ribs 30 having its articulation 51 which extends longitudinally on a first side of the assembly and the other having its articulation 51 which extends longitudinally on the side opposite the previous one.

Each of the ribs 30 is applied by its plate 32 to the central core 16 of the furs 13, with, on the one hand, the square return 46 present at its lower edge superimposed on the corresponding lower lateral wing 18 of these furs 13 , below the return to square 19 thereof, and, on the other hand, its U-shaped fold 48 fitted on the corresponding upper side wing 18 of these furs 13.

By its drilling area 33A with round holes 34A, each of the ribs 30 is secured to one of the furs 13 to which it is thus applied, using fastening members 35.

The screws constituting these freely pass through the holes 34A, and, in screwed engagement, by self-tapping, with the central core 16 of the fur 13 thus concerned, they then pass freely through the opposite fishplate 30, in favor of the holes 34B, lengthened in a buttonhole, of the latter.

Connecting members 37 are then established transversely from one to the other of the ribs 30 in favor of the holes 36, 38 thereof and of the space 56 left free between the furs 13.

Each of the bolts constituting these connecting members 37 freely passes through a hole 36 elongated in the buttonhole of one of the ribs 30 and the corresponding round hole 38 of the other of these ribs 30.

Thus each equipped with a splint 30, the furs 13 are free to slide longitudinally relative to one another within the limits of the length L of the holes 34B, 36 elongated in the buttonhole thereof.

FIG. 6 illustrates the application of the invention to the connection, at an obtuse angle A, of two furs 13, when the plates to be fixed, not shown in this FIG. 6, belong to two panels forming a dihedral between them.

The fishplates 30 are then attached to these furs 13 by their drilling area 33B with holes 34B elongated in the buttonhole, of course having at the opposite ends of these holes 34B the screws constituting the fixing members 35, to avoid any longitudinal play with the furs 13, and they are superimposed on each other by their articulation 51, with, established transversely between them, two bolts 37 ′, one which crosses their arcuate bores 52, duly superimposed on each other, and the other which crosses their round holes 53, also duly superimposed on each other.

In practice, the angle A can vary for example from 90 to 270 °.

It is locked at the desired value by tightening the bolts 37 '.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment or to the embodiments described and shown, but encompasses any variant within the scope of the claims.

Claims (13)

1. A connector plate member for framework bar members to be paired with a connector plate member of the same type to enclose the bar members (13) to be connected and comprising at a spacing from each other two aperture zones (33A, 33B) each having at least one aperture (34A, 34B) for a fixing member (35) to pass therethrough, characterised in that on the one hand one of the aperture zones (33A) being intended to permit it to be fixed with respect to one of the bar members (13) the aperture or apertures (34B) of the other aperture zone (33B) are all elongated longitudinally in a buttonhole configuration to permit the free passage of the fixing member or members (35) which as a corollary provide for fixing the other connector plate member (30) to the other of the bar members (13) and on the other hand it comprises a lug (42) for supporting a secondary bar member (15).
2. A connector plate member according to claim 1 characterised in that the lug (42) is operative by virtue of a recess (39) present along its lower edge.
3. A connector plate member according to claim 2 characterised in that the lug (42) is in an eccentric position in the recess (39).
4. A connector plate member according to either one of claims 2 and 3 characterised in that, along a part at least of the bottom of its recess (39), it comprises a right-angled bent flange portion (43) produced by the recess (39) being cut out, for stiffening the connector plate member.
5. A connector plate member according to any one of claims 2 to 4 characterised in that, along a part at least of its lower edge it comprises a right-angled bent flange portion (46) on respective sides of its recess (39) for stiffening the connector plate member.
6. A connector plate member according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that between the aperture zones (33A, 33B) there is at least one additional aperture (36) which is elongated longitudinally in a buttonhole configuration for the passage of a connecting member (37) for making a connection to be established transversely from one of the connector plate members (30) to the other between the bar members (13).
7. A connector plate member according to claim 6 characterised in that between the aperture zones (33A, 33B) there is at least one pair of supplementary apertures (36, 38) of which one only (36) is elongated in a buttonhole configuration and the other (38) is disposed in alignment with the former at a spacing therefrom.
8. A connector plate member according to claim 7 characterised in that between the aperture zones (33A, 33B) there are at least two pairs of supplementary apertures (36, 38) which are displaced transversely in respect of height.
9. A connector plate member according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterise in that, along a part at least of its upper edge, it comprises a U-shaped bend portion (48).
10. A connector plate member according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterised in that at one of its ends to form a pivotal connection (51), it comprises an aperture (52) which, elongated in a buttonhole configuration, extends in a circular arc around a round aperture (53) on which it is centered.
11. A connector plate member according to claim 10 characterised in that the edge of the pivotalconnection (51) that it forms is rounded, being centered on the round aperture (53), and, along a part at least of said edge, it comprises a right-angled bent flange portion (54) for stiffening it.
12. A framework comprising at least two primary bar members (13) connected by two connector plate members according to one of claims 1 to 11 and a secondary bar member (15) characterised in that the lug (42) is capable of latching engagement of the secondary bar member (15).
13. A framework comprising at least two primary bar members (13) connected by two connector plate members according to one of claims 6 to 8 characterised in that a connecting member (37) for making a connection to be established transversely from one of the connector plate members (30) to the other between the bar members (13) is associated with a supplementary aperture (36, 38) and that said connecting member (37) is a bolt whose nut (41) is a blind nut.

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