EP1936072B1 - Device for fixing a panel on a post - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (100) has a clamp (200) provided with a split ring for surrounding a corner cupboard post for being fixed. Arms (220a, 220b) externally and radially extend the split ring. A cap (300) is fixed on the clamp to lock a vertical strand (Bv) of a panel against the arms. The cap has a hollow cover (302), whose opening is encircled by a peripheral edge, and has upper edges (310a, 310b) and lower edges (312a, 312b) co-operating with the arms.

Description

The present invention relates to a fastening device adapted to clamp a vertical strand of a first panel and / or a second panel on a pole.

Such a fixing device can be used for the realization of fences of all kinds, for example for the realization of stadium fences, commonly called handrails.

In known manner, to fix on a pole a panel or a grid of the type comprising vertical strands, for example a grid consisting of an assembly of vertical strands with horizontal strands, can be used a flange comprising two symmetrical half-parts suitable to be fixed around the post as shown in the document EP-A-1 672 146 . Each half-portion consists of a semi-cylindrical wall extended on either side by two wings intended to receive respectively two vertical and lateral strands of two grids placed on either side of the pole. The two half-parts are assembled on the post by bolting so that the two vertical strands can be clamped between the flanges of the two half-flanges. The mounting of the flange takes place in the following manner. A half-sling must be placed behind the pole, a first grid must be placed so that the vertical strand of one of its sides is placed on one wing, a second grid of way to place the vertical strand of one of its sides on the other wing. The other half-flange must then be placed opposite the first and finally the two half-flanges assembled by two bolts. In practice, it takes two people to assemble the grids on the posts.

It is also possible to use a retaining clip of a tension bar of a grid on a post such as that presented in the document US-A-2,968,470 . The clip is made of a metal strip shaped loop. It thus comprises an open cylindrical wall for wrapping a post and which is extended by two walls parallel to each other. The ends of these two walls are provided with curved parts which hook on one another to close the loop around the tension bar of the mesh. Two staples are needed to hang two panels on either side of the post. In addition, the panel is not properly held on the post because it can swing slightly around the post or slide in the clip.

The object of the invention is therefore to propose a device for attaching a vertical strand of at least one panel to a post which is quick to install, which can be placed by one person and which can firmly hold the panel (x) on the pole.

For this purpose, there is provided a fixing device capable of clamping a vertical strand of a first panel and / or a second panel on a pole, the fixing device comprising a flange including a split ring adapted to surround the pole for to be fixed there. According to the invention, at least one arm extends externally and radially the split ring and the fixing device comprises a cap adapted to be fixed on the flange so as to clamp said vertical strand against said or each arm.

To secure a panel between two posts, at least one flange is attached to each post and the vertical side strands of a panel are placed against the inner arms of the flanges. The caps are then fixed on the flanges. This operation can easily be performed by a single operator. Moreover, the panel is firmly held on the posts without possibility of movement.

According to an additional feature of the invention, the cap consists of a hollow envelope whose opening is bordered by a peripheral rim comprising at least one upper edge, at least one lower edge adapted to cooperate with said or each arm to tighten said vertical strand.

According to an additional feature of the invention, said or each arm is provided at its free end with a tongue and the peripheral rim comprises at least one lateral edge in which is formed a housing adapted to receive the tongue to position the upper edge and the lower edge at the periphery of said or each arm.

The cap can be positioned quickly and precisely on the flange. Furthermore, the presence of the tabs provides lateral support of the panel before fixing the caps on the corresponding flanges.

According to an additional characteristic of the invention, the flange and the cap are provided with locking means capable of locking them mutually and incrementally so that said strand can be clamped between said or each arm and the upper edge and the edge. inferior.

It is thus possible to control the tightening of the vertical strand in the fixing device.

According to an additional feature of the invention, the locking means comprise a plurality of notches made in said or each housing and a plurality of notches formed on the corresponding tongue.

The cap is then made non-removable, which makes it impossible to disassemble the vertical strand To separate the panel of the posts, it is therefore necessary to break at least one component of each fastener.

According to an additional feature of the invention, said or each arm is provided on its upper and / or lower part with a lug designed to retain a horizontal strand of a panel on said arm.

The presence of the lugs on the flanges can suspend the panel on them. The panel being held in place, the operator has both hands to fix the caps on the flanges.

According to an additional feature of the invention, each lug is positioned at the intersection of said or each arm and the corresponding tongue.

According to an additional feature of the invention, each lug is beveled so that it can push the vertical strand on said arm.

According to an additional feature of the invention, the split ring is provided on its outer wall with a stud, the bottom of the hollow envelope of the cap being traversed by a hole capable of receiving an assembly means adapted to be screwed in the stud and / or to take anchor in the wall of the post to tighten the cap on the flange to confirm the tightening of the vertical strands in the fastener.

According to an additional feature of the invention, the flange comprises two arms which externally extend the split ring in diametrically opposite directions and the cap consists of a hollow envelope whose opening is bordered by a peripheral rim comprising two upper edges, two lower edges adapted to cooperate with the arms.

According to an additional characteristic of the invention, the flange comprises a single arm which extends the split ring radially outwardly and radially and the cap consists of a hollow envelope whose opening is bordered by a peripheral rim comprising an upper edge and an edge. lower adapted to cooperate with the single arm.

According to an additional feature of the invention, the lower and upper edges of the cap and the walls of the arms facing the cap have a concave shape.

The concave shape of these walls serves to increase the tightening of the vertical strands in lateral directions which makes it possible to immobilize the panels if one seeks to move them.

• la Fig. 1 représente une vue en perspective d'un dispositif de fixation d'un panneau sur un poteau selon l'invention,
• la Fig. 2 représente une vue en perspective du type panneau susceptible d'être fixé entre deux poteaux par plusieurs dispositifs de fixation selon l'invention,
• la Fig. 3 représente une vue en perspective d'un dispositif de fixation d'un panneau, en cours de montage sur un poteau selon l'invention,
• la Fig. 4 représente une vue en perspective d'un dispositif de fixation d'un panneau, monté sur un poteau selon l'invention,
• la Fig. 5 représente une vue de dessus d'un dispositif de fixation d'un panneau monté sur un poteau selon l'invention,
• la Fig. 6 représente une vue en perspective d'une variante de réalisation d'un dispositif de fixation d'un panneau sur un poteau selon l'invention et,
• la Fig. 7 représente une vue de côté d'un dispositif de fixation d'un panneau, monté sur un poteau selon l'invention.

The characteristics of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will appear more clearly on reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment, said description being given in relation to the attached drawings, among which:

• the Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of a device for fixing a panel on a pole according to the invention,
• the Fig. 2 represents a perspective view of the panel type that can be fixed between two posts by a plurality of fastening devices according to the invention,
• the Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of a device for fixing a panel, during assembly on a pole according to the invention,
• the Fig. 4 represents a perspective view of a panel fastening device, mounted on a pole according to the invention,
• the Fig. 5 represents a view from above of a device for fixing a panel mounted on a pole according to the invention,
• the Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a device for fixing a panel to a pole according to the invention and,
• the Fig. 7 is a side view of a panel mounting device, mounted on a pole according to the invention.

The fixing device 100 shown in FIG. Fig. 1 is intended to allow the attachment of one or two panels (x) on a pole. Many applications are targeted, for example those of construction of low fences sports fields, commonly called handrails.

In the invention, a panel is an anti-crossing screen consisting of a barred grid, that is to say comprising a frame closed by crossed bars, a grid with or without folds consisting of an assembly of crossed wires or bars. The strands referred to below are metal bars constituting a frame, wire or metal bars constituting a grid.

The fixing device 100 comprises two main components, a flange 200 and a cap 300.

The flange 200 is intended to surround a post to be secured and to fix, in cooperation with the cap 300, a vertical strand Bv of a first panel and / or a second panel, along the pole.

To the Fig. 2 , the panel P shown consists of a lattice made from an assembly of vertical strands Bv and horizontal strands Bh. On this Fig. 2 , there is a front row of horizontal strands Bh and a rear row of horizontal strands Bh and between which is arranged a row of vertical strands Bv. The panel P is intended to be supported and then fixed with vertical strands Bv arranged parallel along a pole. In the invention, the panel P can be supported and then fixed between two posts by means of a plurality of fasteners adapted to hold the panel P by its vertical strands Bv located on its lateral sides.

To the Fig. 1 and for reasons of clarity of the drawing, only two vertical strands Bv of two panels are schematically represented by two vertical rods at this point. Fig. 1 .

The flange 200 thus comprises a split ring 210 provided with two end edges 212a, 212b disposed opposite each other and from which two arms 220a and 220b extend outwardly in diametrically opposite directions. The ring 210 is designed to be open at its two end edges 212a, 212b in order to be mounted around a post S as it appears in FIG. Fig. 3 . The S post and the split ring 210 are here circular section. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the pole and the split ring have a polygonal section.

To the Fig. 1 both end edges 212a, 212b are radially and outwardly extended by two tabs 214a, 214b, respectively. The bringing together of these two tabs by means of a clamping means 230 makes it possible to tighten the split ring 210 and therefore the flange 200 on the post. The clamping means advantageously consists of a bolt 230 passing through the two tabs 214a, 214b. It may also consist of a self-tapping screw, a plastic screw, anchoring in a leg, a rivet or any other means likely to bring the two legs together.

The split ring 210 is also provided on its outer wall with a stud 224 intended to receive a screwing means to confirm the tightness of the cap 300 on the flange 200. The stud 224 may be traversed by a smooth hole or a tapped hole.

Each arm 220a, 220b consists of a plate on which can be applied on its face intended to be turned towards the cap 300, a vertical strand Bv. The relatively large length of the arm makes it possible to place a panel against flanges fixed on two adjacent posts, even if the implantation of these posts has not been carried out with a spacing of great precision. In other words, the vertical strand Bv can be applied over the entire useful length of said arm.

The two arms 220a, 220b are provided respectively at their free ends with two tongues 222a, 222b intended to cooperate with the cap 300 to allow the locking of the vertical strands Bv between the arms 220a, 220b and said cap. The tabs 222 extend parallel to each other and perpendicularly to the arms 220. The lateral displacement of a panel during laying, that is to say when it is placed against the arm of the flanges is thus limited.

To the Fig. 1 , the cap 300 consists of a hollow envelope provided to be secured to the flange 200 so that it can clamp the vertical strands Bv on the arms 220.

The cap 300 thus comprises a peripheral rim delimiting the opening of said cap. This peripheral flange consists of two upper edges 310a, 310b, two lower edges 312a, 312b and which are joined laterally by two lateral edges 314a, 314b. The upper edges 310 and the lower edges 312 are separated respectively by two walls 316 and 317 bypassing the wall of the pole. These walls 316 and 317 bypass here have a semi circular section.

The upper edges 310 and lower 312 are intended to clamp the vertical strands Bv against each arm 220a and 220b after the assembly of the cap 300 on the flange 200.

To the Fig. 5 the lower and upper edges 310 and 312 as well as the walls of the arms 220 facing the cap 300 have a concave shape such that the tightening of the vertical strands Bv between the edges 310 and 312 and said walls is increased when one tries to move the panels P or P '. The displacement of the panels is indicated by the arrow D.

Indeed, as soon as the cap 300 is tightened on the flange 200, the lower and upper edges 310 and 312 and the arms 220 apply on the vertical strands Bv, forces that incorporate components parallel to the panel P or the panel P ' , Which are materialized by the arrows T. For the same panel, these components T oppose, when tightening the cap on the flange and the value of these components increases if one seeks to move the panel.

Two housings 320a and 320b are respectively formed in the side edges 314a and 314b so as to be able to receive the tongues 222a and 222b to suitably position the cap 300 vis-à-vis the flange 200 and in particular to position the upper edges 310 and lower 312 at the periphery of the arms 220a, 220b.

The flange 200 and the cap 300 are provided with locking means 223, 323 able to lock them mutually and incrementally so that the vertical strands Bv can be clamped between the arms 220 of the flange 200 and the upper edges 310 and lower 312 of the cap 300.

A plurality of notches 323 is thus formed on an inner wall of each housing 320a and 320b and a plurality of notches 223 is formed on each tongue 222a and 222b and, in particular, on a return extending said tongue as shown on this Fig. 1 .

The insertion of the housings 320 of the cap 300 on the corresponding tabs 222 of the flange 200 allows a mutual assembly by snapping of these two components. The notches 323 and the notches 223 are staggered at the same pitch, so that the advancement of the cap 300 with respect to the flange 200 can be incremented. As soon as the vertical strands Bv are in contact with the arms 220 of the flange 200 and the upper edges 310 and lower 312 of the cap 300, the bringing together of these two components by a distance of one or a few steps is sufficient to clamp suitably the strands in the fastening device 100.

The cap 300 and the flange 200 are provided with a clamping means 224, 330, 334 capable of uniting them by mutual reconciliation to increase the tightening of the vertical strands Bv in the fixing device 100.

The cap 300 is thus provided in the bottom of its hollow envelope 302 with a hole 330 made in a countersink 332, adapted to receive an assembly means such as a screw 334, for example a self-tapping screw, capable of being screwed into the stud 224, then possibly in the wall of a post so that the screwing of the screw can block the cap 300 on the flange 200 and possibly on the post to thereby confirm the tightening of the vertical strands Bv in the fixing device 100 secured to the pole. One can still use a rivet whose free end can be anchored in a hole previously made in the post. Blockage is achieved when the strands are properly clamped between the upper and lower edges 310 and the arms 220.

When tightening the screw 334, the notches 223 can be made to advance one or more steps in the openings 323 thus increasing the tightening of the vertical strands Bv in the fixing device 100.

The withdrawal of the vertical strands Bv of the fixing device 100 by lateral displacement is interrupted on one side by the presence of the split ring 210 and on the other by the presence of the tongues 222.

The removal of the panels is in practice only possible by the destruction of at least one component of the fixing devices 100.

Each arm 220 is provided on its upper and / or lower part, that is to say at least on its part intended to be turned upwards when the flange 200 is fixed on a post, a lug 340 provided to retain a horizontal strand of a panel on said arm. At this Fig. 1 each arm 220 is provided with two pins 340 to make indifferent the mounting direction of the flange on a pole.

We can then, as it appears in Figs. 3 and 7 , placing pending final fixing, panels P, P 'on the flanges when they are fixed on the posts. Thus, one end of a horizontal strand Bh of a first panel P is placed on one of the arms 220 so that it can be retained by an ergot 340. One end of a horizontal strand Bh of a second panel P 'is also placed on the other arm 220 so that it can be retained by a lug 340.

The operation is repeated for the flanges located on the adjacent posts, on the other side of the panels P and P '. The panels are thus held in position between the columns waiting for final fixing.

The panels P and P 'can thus no longer be moved in depth, that is to say that they can not advance because they are retained by pins 340 or back because of the presence of vertical strands Bv which are in contact with the arms 220. The installation of the panels is thus greatly facilitated.

Each lug 340 is preferably positioned at the intersection of an arm 220 and a tongue 222 so as not to hinder the placement of the vertical strand Bv.

Each lug is advantageously bevelled so that it can push the vertical strand Bv against the arm 220.

The operation and use of the fixing device 100 of the invention is as follows.

The split ring 210 of a first flange 200 is opened and passed around a pole S. The flange 200 is tightened on the post S with the aid of the bolt 230.

In the same way, a second flange is mounted on a neighboring post, at the same height as the first and, where appropriate, one or more flanges on the two posts. This operation is repeated on the various posts constituting the fence.

A panel P is then placed between two adjacent flanges situated on the same level and the horizontal strands Bh of the panel are rested on the inner arms of the two flanges so that the horizontal strands Bh can be retained on the flanges 200. by their respective lugs 340.

The panel is then held in place without being held. These operations are repeated for other panels P 'that are held on other flanges attached to neighboring posts.

A cap 300 is brought to a flange 200 and the notches 223 of the tongues are snapped onto the notches 323 of the housings 320 so as to clamp the vertical strands Bv between the arms 220 of the flange 200 and the upper edges 310 and lower 312 of the cap 300. The cap 300 is tightened on the flange 200 by screwing the screw 334 in the stud 224. By using a self-tapping type screw or self-drilling type, it can also be anchored in the wall of the pole S. We can still fix the cap with a rivet passing through the stud and taking anchor in a hole previously made in the post.

This operation is repeated for the other flanges. In practice, at least two fasteners are required to secure a panel between two posts.

The fixing device of the invention allows the quick installation and by a single operator of panels between poles.

The construction of the fastening device provides a rigid connection between the panels and the posts.

The fixing of the panels is normally irreversible.

In an alternative embodiment of the fixing device 100 shown in FIG. Fig. 6 , the flange 200 'is provided with only one arm 220a and the cap 300' is truncated on one side of the walls 316 and 317 bypassing the wall of the post. The single arm 220a externally and radially extends the split ring 210. The hollow shell 302 of the cap 300 'is thus provided with only one upper edge 310a and one lower edge 312a.

Such fasteners 100 are adapted to allow the attachment of panels on a corner post or adjacent non-coplanar panels.

Claims (12)

1. Fixing device (100) which is capable of clamping a vertical piece (Bv) of a first panel (P) and/or a second panel (P') to a post (S), the fixing device (100) comprising a flange (200, 200') which includes a split ring (210) which is capable of extending around the post (S) in order to be fixed at that location, characterised in that at least one arm (220a, 220b) extends the split ring (210) externally and radially and in that the fixing device (100) comprises a cover (300, 300') which is capable of being fixed to the flange (200, 200') so as to be able to clamp the vertical piece (Bv) against the or each arm (220a, 220b).
2. Fixing device (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the cover (300, 300') is constituted by a hollow casing (302) whose opening is bordered by a peripheral rim which comprises at least an upper edge (310a, 310b), at least a lower edge (312a, 312b), which are adapted to co-operate with the or each arm (220a, 220b) in order to clamp the vertical piece (Bv).
3. Fixing device (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the or each arm (220a, 220b) is provided at the free end thereof with a tongue (222a, 222b) and in that the peripheral rim comprises at least one lateral edge (314a, 314b), in which there is formed a housing (320a and 320b) which is adapted to receive the tongue (222a, 222b) in order to position the upper edge (310a, 310b) and the lower edge (312a, 312b) in the region of the periphery of the or each arm (220a, 220b).
4. Fixing device (100) according to claim 3, characterised in that the flange (200, 200') and the cover (300, 300') are provided with locking means (223, 323) which are capable of locking them mutually and by increments so that the piece (Bv) can be clamped between the or each arm (220a, 220b) and the upper edge (310a, 310b) and the lower edge (312a, 312b).
5. Fixing device (100) according to claim 4, characterised in that the locking means comprise a plurality of notches (323) which are produced in the or each housing (320a, 320b) and a plurality of catches (223) which are formed on the corresponding tongue (222a, 222b).
6. Fixing device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the or each arm (220a, 220b) is provided at the upper and/or lower portion thereof with a projection (340) which is provided for retaining a horizontal piece (Bh) of a panel (P, P') on the arm.
7. Fixing device (100) according to claim 6, characterised in that each projection (340) is positioned at the intersection of the or each arm (220a, 220b) and the corresponding tongue (222a, 222b).
8. Fixing device (100) according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterised in that each projection (340) is bevelled so that it can push the vertical piece (Bv) onto the arm.
9. Fixing device (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterised in that the split ring (210) is provided at the external wall thereof with a stud (224), there extending through the base of the hollow casing (302) of the cover (300, 300') a hole (330) which is capable of receiving an assembly means (334) which is adapted to be screwed into the stud (224) and/or being anchored in the wall of the post (S) in order to clamp the cover (300, 300') to the flange (200, 200') in order to confirm the clamping of the vertical pieces (Bv) in the fixing device (100).
10. Fixing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the flange (200) comprises two arms (220a, 220b) which extend the split ring (210) externally in diametrically opposed directions and in that the cover (300) is constituted by a hollow casing (302) whose opening is bordered by a peripheral rim which comprises two upper edges (310a, 310b), and two lower edges (312a, 312b) which are adapted to co-operate with the arms (220a, 220b).
11. Fixing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the flange (200') comprises a single arm (220a) which extends the split ring (210) externally and radially and in that the cover (300') is constituted by a hollow casing (302) whose opening is bordered by a peripheral rim which comprises an upper edge (310a) and a lower edge (312a) which are adapted to co-operate with the single arm (220a).
12. Fixing device (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 11, characterised in that the lower and upper edges (310, 312) and the walls of the arms (220) directed towards the cover (300, 300') have a concave shape.

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