EP2339086B1

EP2339086B1 - Joining and fixing system for sections of profiles of a gutter

Info

Publication number: EP2339086B1
Application number: EP08875586.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Constantino Gonzalez Gomez
Original assignee: Uralita Sistemas de Tuberias SA
Current assignee: Uralita Sistemas de Tuberias SA
Priority date: 2008-10-20
Filing date: 2008-10-20
Publication date: 2013-10-16
Anticipated expiration: 2028-10-20
Also published as: ES2442943T3; PT2339086E; EP2339086A1; WO2010046506A1

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention is a system for connecting and affixing sections of profiles of a gutter of the type used to drain rainwater from roofs.
This invention is characterised by its special configuration and the constructive design of the parts and pieces which make up the connecting and affixing system for sections of profiles, thus achieving an elastic attachment between different connection elements, and in this way obtaining a secure, firm connection which is easy to assemble.
Therefore, this invention is circumscribed by the framework of guttering systems, and in particular means used for connecting and affixing different sections of profiles of a gutter.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

There are numerous systems in existence which permit attachment of consecutive sections of profiles of a gutter, such as those indicated in patents JP 2002235410 , JP 2002167917 , JP2002047767 . Each of these has developed its own means of attachment, in some cases using additional parts.
Document GB-A-2217748 discloses a system having all the features of the preamble of claim 1.
What is now required is the development of a system for connecting and affixing which, by using an accessory part, permits connection of the sections of profiles in an elastic manner which ensures that sections are affixed and connected, and that they are also watertight.
Furthermore, the method seeks to attach the gutter by means of a hinged closing hook which is integrated in the accessory connection and attachment part, having various positions for the purpose of facilitating both handling and also total closure of the arrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention of a system for connecting and affixing sections of profiles of a gutter according to claim 1, consists of an accessory connection part between profile sections, where this accessory part is provided with a closing hook mounted on it, which is hinged at one of its ends whereas at the free end it has a closing flap.
In the articulated connection between the closing hook and the accessory part, three different positions may be adopted, in one of which the closing hook can freely rotate, without any function, and with another position in which the hook has exceeded the first limit and is integrated in the access, and which does not move in either direction, and finally a third position in which the closing hook is clipped to the edge of the accessory part by means of the flap at its free end.
Due to the position of the hook when it has exceeded the first limit and is integrated in the accessory, assembly of the profiles is possible once the attachment of the accessories to the wall or the eaves has been completed. Due to this form of connection between the accessory and the closing hook, the handling of both as a single element is permitted, which facilitates the work of attachment with the profile hanging ready for anchoring.
Furthermore, due to the clipped attachment of the free end of the hook, any possible profile movement is blocked, except those deriving from contractions or dilatations of the profile of its longitudinal access, due to climate temperature changes.
Blocking of the sections of the profiles, in addition to the clipped connection is made by means of the forces of action and reaction created by the hook, by compressing the profile and an elastic washer housed in the accessories.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to complete the description below and to assist in a better comprehension of its characteristics, the present descriptive report is accompanied by a set of plans with figures representing in an illustrative, but not restrictive, way the most significant details of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an accessory on which a closing hook has been mounted.
Figure 2 shows a detail of a first position which may be adopted by the closing hook with relation to the connecting and affixing accessory.
Figure 3 shows a second position of the closing hook with respect to the accessory, in which the hook adopts a fixed position.
Figure 4 shows how the clipped connection of the free end of the closing hook on the edge of the accessory takes place.
Figure 5 shows a section of how the blocking of the connecting and affixing system works in sections of profiles of a gutter.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the light of the figures below, a preferred embodiment of the proposed invention is described.
The invention of a system for connecting and affixing sections of profiles of a gutter consists of a connection accessory (1), on which a closing hook (2) is mounted in an articulated manner and with an elastic washer (3) housed in the interior of the connection accessory.
Figure 1 shows how effectively a closing hook (2) is mounted on a connection accessory (1) with the form of a gutter open in its upper part.
Said closing hook (2) is joined at one of its ends to one of the upper edges of the connection accessory (1), by means of an articulation (4), whereas at the other end, the free end of the closing hook (2) has a flap (16) for the clipped closure onto the upper edge of the connection accessory (2).
Figures 2, 3 and 4 show the different positions which may be adopted by the closing hook (2) in respect of the connection accessory (1). Figure 2 shows how the closing hook (2) is free in its articulated movement. This figure shows details of the articulation (4), and consists of an articulation axis (5) integrated in the upper edge of the connection accessory (1), whereas the articulated end (7) of the closing hook (2), is provided with a lower bend defining a stepped part (8) which cooperates with the first limit (6) with which the connection accessory (1) is also provided. Said limit (6) is provided with a projection (9) in such a way that when the first point of the stepped part (8) exceeds that projection (9), the projection is housed in the stepped part, (8) thus preventing the closing (2) hook from turning. This second position is shown in figure 3.
Again, if the closing hook (2) continues to be rotated to its clipping position, the second point of the stepped part (8) exceeds the projection (9) of the first limit (6), reaching the third position.
Therefore, depending on where the projection (9) is found in respect of the stepped part (8) three positions are defined which may be adopted by the closing hook (2) with respect to the connection accessory (1).
Figure 4 shows which elements are involved in the clipping closure as well as the manner in which said closing elements are presented. Thus on the free end of the closing hook (2) there is a flap (16) which at its lower end is provided with a built up part towards the interior of the hook, where said built up part is provided with a bevelled lower edge (12) which in the clipping process cooperates with an upper bevelled edge (11) reached by the second limit (10) of the upper edge of the connection accessory (1).
Finally, in order to block and compress the profile, figure 5 shows that by means of an elastic washer (3) housed inside the connection accessory (1), blocking and compression of the profile is achieved by means of the closing hook (2). For this purpose the elastic washer which has an approximately semi-circular form and a profile equal to that of the connection accessory (1) is provided on its upper edges with respective built up parts towards the interior which define flat horizontal surfaces (13) and (14) respectively.
Furthermore, and in order to transfer the pressure onto the elastic washer, the closing hook (2) is provided on one side with a lower seating (15) which is close to the hinged edge and which enters into contact with the flat horizontal surface (13) of the upper edge of the elastic washer (3). Furthermore the closing hook is also provided with a lower seating (17) which is close to the free end and which contacts with the flat horizontal surface (14) of the upper edge of the elastic washer (3).
The essential nature of this invention as defined in the claims is not altered by any variations in materials, form, size and arrangement of its component elements, which are described in a non-restrictive manner, with this being sufficient to proceed to its reproduction by an expert.

Claims

System for connecting and affixing sections of profiles of a gutter which consists of a connection accessory (1) on which a closing hook (2) is mounted, which at one of its ends is provided with an articulated connection to the connection accessory, whereas the free end of the hook (1) is provided with a closing flap (16), in the interior of the connection accessory being housed an elastic washer (3) for compression of the profiles, and-the articulated connection between the closing hook (2) and the connection accessory permiting the closing hook (2) to adopt three different positions, said system for connecting and affixing sections of profiles of a gutter being characterized in that the articulation (4) between the closing hook (2) and the connection accessory (1) is provided with an articulated axis (5) integrated in the upper edge of the connection accessory (1), whereas the articulated end (7) of the closing hook (2) is provided with a lower bend defining a stepped part (8) which cooperates with a first limit (6) with which the connection accessory (1) is also provided, said first limit (6) being provided with a projection (9) so that depending on the position of the projection (9) with respect to the stepped part (8) three positions are defined which may be adopted by the closing hook (2) with respect to the connection accessory (1).
System for connecting and affixing sections of profiles of a gutter according to claim 1, characterized in that the flap (16) permits a clipped closure of the closing hook (2) on the upper edge of the connection accessory, for which purpose the closing flap at the lower end is provided with a build up towards the interior of the hook, where said build up is provided with a lower bevelled edge (12) which in the clipping process cooperates with an upper bevelled edge (11) which is provided with a second limit (10) of the upper edge of the connection accessory (1).
System for connecting and affixing sections of profiles of a gutter according to claim 1, characterized in that for the compression of the profiles by the elastic washer (3), said washer is provided with a semi-circular form and a profile equal to that of the connection accessory (1), provided on its upper edges respectively with built up parts towards the interior which define flat horizontal surfaces (13) and (14), which contact respectively with a lower seating (15) which is close to the hinged end and with a lower seating (17) which is close to the free end of the closing hook.