FR2761420A1 - Joint covering strip e.g. for wall panels or floor slabs - Google Patents

Abstract

The covering strip (1) is fastened in place over a gap (2) between the edges (3, 4) of two adjacent components by a flexible clip (5) made from a material with a certain elasticity. The clip has one end (6) which is designed to be inserted into the gap and anchor in place, while its other end is shaped to engage with retaining elements e.g. in the shape of projecting ribs (15, 16) on the inner surface of the covering strip. The inner faces of the ribs (15, 16) have no surface projections, and the upper end of the clip is held between them under pressure.

Description

SYSTEM FOR FIXING AN OBJECT, PARTICULARLY A
JOINT COVER, AT THE RIGHT OF A SLOT, FASTENER
AND JOINT COVER FOR SUCH A SYSTEM.

 The invention relates to a system for fixing an object to the right of a slot limited by two substantially parallel walls, a system of the kind which includes a fastening device formed by a blade made of a material having a certain elasticity. , in particular a steel blade, having a first end intended to be introduced into the slot and provided with means for anchoring to at least one wall of this slot, and a second end intended to be located outside the slot and provided with retaining means suitable for cooperating with attachment means provided on the object to be fixed.

 The invention relates more particularly, because it is in this case that its application seems to be of most interest, but not exclusively, a system for fixing a joint cover to the right of a slot constituting a joint expansion, for example between two vertical building walls or between two horizontal slabs.

 Such fastening systems are known in particular from FR-A-1 292 205 and FR-A-2 560 942.

US-A-3,439,463 shows, in particular on the
Figure 9 of the drawings, a system of this type for fixing a joint cover in an angle with a fastening device formed by a stainless steel blade whose end located outside the slot comprises a means retainer constituted by a tongue cut out in the form of a puncture in the blade, suitable for cooperating with a hook, provided on the object to be fixed, and projecting transversely towards the blade.

The realization of such a fixing system is relatively complicated since it requires cutting of the retaining means in the blade and a hook profile on the object to be fixed; moreover, it is necessary to ensure the snap-fastening of the tongue against the hook to carry out the fixing.

 FR-A-2 456 245 relates to a fixing device in which the hooking means provided on the object to be fixed comprise two wings integral with the object, and the retaining means comprise a tab formed by the second end of the blade curved towards the first end while moving transversely away from the blade. The object to be fixed, in particular a joint cover, comprises inwardly on a wing a transverse internal stop against which must come to bear the edge of the curved tab. The extreme zone of curvature of this tab must also be in abutment against the internal face of the joint cover to avoid possible relative displacements between the joint cover and the fastening device. I1 results in constraints in terms of manufacturing tolerances to ensure contact between the joint cover and the fastening device in two zones distant from each other.

 The object of the invention is, above all, to provide a fixing system of the kind defined above which is as simple as possible, both from the point of view of its manufacture and of its installation, and which however ensures reliable fixing.

According to the invention, a system for fixing an object to the right of a slot, of the kind defined above, in which the attachment means provided on the object to be fixed comprise two wings integral with the object, and the retaining means comprise a tab formed by the second end of the blade curved towards the first end while moving transversely away from the blade, is characterized in that:
the internal faces of the wings of the fastening means have no projection, said wings defining between them a space of a determined width,
the distance between the edge of the tab of the retaining means in the free state and the blade is greater than the width of the space between the wings of the object to be fixed,
- And this tab of the retaining means is arranged in such a way, when the second end of the blade is engaged between the two wings and the blade is in abutment against the internal face of a wing, the end of the tab attacks the inner face of the other wing at an angle such that an autoblocking occurs on this face
Advantageously, the wings of the object are flat.

 Preferably, when the second end of the blade is engaged between the wings of the attachment means, the angle formed between the mean plane of the tab and the wing, against which the edge of this tab is in support, is greater to a lower limit of around 20 and is less than 90 ".

 Advantageously, the edge of the tab bearing against the wing is rectilinear. Generally the blade forming the attachment device is made of stainless steel, while the object to be fixed consists of an aluminum or light alloy profile, or of plastic or other material.

 Preferably, the tab extends along the entire width of the blade, which is curved without cutting.

 The anchoring means provided at the first end of the blade can be constituted by a curved part having a convex zone, facing the blade, in the vicinity of its anchoring edge against one of the walls of the slot.

 This anchoring edge may include one or more points promoting anchoring in the wall.

 The fastening device is asymmetrical and comprises only a curved part as an anchoring means, the zone of the blade opposite the anchoring edge being in abutment against the other wall of the slot; at the level of the retaining means, the zone of the blade opposite the tab is in abutment against one wing while the edge of the tab hooks the other wing.

 As a variant, the anchoring means may consist of a cut tongue, in the manner of a puncture, in the vicinity of the first end of the blade, this tongue being separated from the mean plane of the blade and remaining adjacent to it by a transverse edge.

 Preferably the anchoring means formed by the first curved end or by a cut tab, are located on the same side of the mean plane of the blade as the tab forming the retaining means.

 Advantageously, the wings integral with the object to be fixed are offset transversely, relative to the center line of the object. The object is fixed in such a way that the wings are located, with respect to the center line, on the side of the wall of the slot against which the blade of the fastening device bears; in the event of a variation in the width of the slot, for example as a result of expansion, the object remains fixed relative to the wall against which the blade is supported while the extent of the object on the other side of the wings is sufficient to absorb possible variations in the slit width.

 Preferably, the height of the wings is different, one of the wings having a height insufficient to allow hooking by the tab of the blade, so that a polarization is ensured and that only one direction of mounting of the second end of the blade in the attachment means is possible.

 Advantageously, the part of the blade comprised between the anchoring means and the retaining means comprises at least one stiffening element, constituted by a rib or a longitudinal profile. Preferably, two parallel stiffeners are provided, namely a stiffener in the vicinity of each longitudinal edge of the blade; this stiffener can be formed by the edge of a dihedral shaped imprint.

 The invention also relates to a fastening device for the fastening system as defined above, as well as a joint cover constituted by a profile comprising two wings, in particular of different heights, the internal faces of the wings being devoid of projection , said wings defining between them a space of a determined width for receiving the retaining means of the attachment device.

 The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, of a certain number of other arrangements which will be more explicitly discussed below in connection with a particular embodiment described with reference to the attached drawing, but which is in no way limiting.

 Figure 1 of this drawing is a perspective view, from the right side, of a fastening device for a fastening system according to the invention.

 Figure 2 is a plan view, on a reduced scale, of a blade before the bending operation, used to make the attachment device of Figure 1.

 Figure 3 is a section, on a reduced scale, along line III-III of Figure 1.

 Figure 4 is a schematic cross section of a slot to the right of which is fixed a joint cover using a fixing system according to the invention.

 Figure 5 shows a variant of the fixing system for a slot in a corner.

 Figure 6 is a cross section of a joint cover according to the invention.

 Figure 7, finally, is a perspective view of part of a joint cover according to Figure 6.

Referring to the drawings, in particular to the
Figure 4, we can see a fastening system F of an object consisting of a joint cover 1 to the right of a slot 2 constituting, for example, an expansion joint.

This slot 2 is limited by two walls 3, 4 which are substantially parallel.

 The system F comprises a fastening device A formed by a blade 5 of elastic material, for example metallic, advantageously of stainless steel.

 The blade 5 has a first end 6 intended to be introduced into the slot and provided with anchoring means constituted by a curved part 7 whose zone 8 near the extreme edge is convex on the side of the blade 5.

 The edge of the zone 8 has at least one point, preferably two points 9, 10 (one at each lateral end), for anchoring to the slot wall.

 The second end 11 of the blade 5, intended to be located outside the slot 2 (Figs.4 and 5) comprises retaining means R comprising a tab 12.

This tab 12 is formed by the second end curved more than 900 so that it is directed towards the first end 6 while moving transversely away from the blade 5.

 The angle B (Fig.l) formed between the tab 12 in the free state and the blade 5 is slightly greater than the angle C (Figs. 4 and 5) between these same parts when they cooperate with means d 'hanging D provided on a fixed object, such as a joint cover 13 (Fig.4). This joint cover 13, in the example of Figure 4, is constituted by a plate extending along the length of the slot 2 and provided, along each of its longitudinal edges, with a return, for example at a right angle , 14a, 14b, to be applied against a face of a block limiting the slot 2. The attachment means D are located on the side of the joint cover 13 facing the slot 2 and are integral with the joint cover 13 , preferably in one piece with him.

 These attachment means D comprise two wings 15, 16 substantially orthogonal to the plate forming a joint cover and parallel to the edges 14a, 14b. The wings 15, 16 define between them a space 17 of width e.

The internal faces of the wings 15 and 16 are planar and are devoid of any transverse projection inwards. The outer faces of the wings are also flat and devoid of any transverse projection. The wings 15 and 16 partially penetrate into the slot 2 when the joint cover 13 is in place.

 The end 11 with its tab 12, on the one hand, and the spacing and height of the wings, 15, 16 on the other hand are arranged so that when the end 11 is engaged in the space 17 ( Fig. 4) the tab 12 comes to bear, by its transverse edge 18 against the internal face of a wing, namely the wing 15 in the example under consideration, at an angle α sufficient to ensure self-locking in respect a pull. The blade 5 is in abutment, on the other side, against the internal face of the other wing 16.

 Thus, according to the invention, the hooking means 15, 16 of the joint cover and the retaining means 12 of the blade 5 are extremely simple to manufacture. Experience has shown that the coupling thus obtained by self-locking is quite effective.

 We can ensure in good conditions the blocking of the top of the outer part 11 in the dihedral formed by the wing 16 and the joint cover 13, while the edge 18 clings to the wing 15. The possible variations of dimensions of the tab 12 and the width e, due in particular to manufacturing tolerances, are compensated by a slight variation in the angle a, in the locking position mentioned above, without the self-locking of the tab 12 against wing 15 is affected. A good application of the joint cover 13 can thus be ensured against the faces of the blocks delimiting the slot 2 by eliminating any movement in a direction orthogonal to the plate 13.

 Preferably the tab 12 is located on the same side of the blade 5 as the curved part 7. The fastening device A, as visible in Figure 1, has substantially the shape of a C whose upper curved part is much more shorter than the bottom.

 Stiffening means formed by two longitudinal indentations 19, 20 are provided to stiffen the blade 5 between its two ends. The indentations 19, 20 extend parallel to each longitudinal edge of the blade and determine, in the vicinity of the edges, a part having a dihedral cross section which is widely open as shown in FIG. 3.

 Preferably the wings 15 and 16 are offset from the middle of the plate 13 and are closer to one of the edges 14b, than the other 14a. The height h of the wing 16 closest to the edge 14b is less than the height of the wing 15 further from this edge 14b. The height h of the wing 16 is also less than the minimum height necessary for the edge 18 of the tab 12 to be able to hang against the wall of the wing. On the other hand, the height of the wing 15 is greater than this minimum height. Thus, there is only one possible direction of mounting of the end 11 and of the tab 12 in order to hook the edge 18 against a wall. The reduced height h of the wing 16 allows a polarization for the mounting of the plate 13 against the slot 2.

 The blade 5 and the wall 16 bear against, or in the vicinity of, the wall 3 of the slot 2. The edge 14b remains at a constant distance from the wall 3, even if the width of the slot 2 varies, for example as a result of expansion, in which case the edge 14a moves relative to the wall 4. The width L of the plate 13 is sufficient to allow absorption of the maximum foreseeable variations in width of the slot 2 and so that the joint cover 13 always completely hides this slot.

 The coding constituted by the wing 16 of reduced height h keeps the width L at a minimum value, which would not be the case if, with wings 15, 16 offset relative to the center line of the plate 13, the latter could be mounted either in the position illustrated in FIG. 4, or in the inverted position for which the edge 14a would be on the left and the edge 14b on the right of the slot 2.

 The fixing system, at the level of each fastening device A, is therefore asymmetrical with respect to the median plane of the slot 7.

 In the case where one wishes to find a certain symmetry of the retaining forces on either side of the mean plane of the slot 2, one can have, along the joint cover 13, fastening devices A oriented alternately in the opposite direction. The joint cover 13 then comprises wings 15 and 16 of the same height, arranged symmetrically with respect to its longitudinal mediating plane. The fastening device illustrated in FIG. 4 would then be followed, in the longitudinal direction, by a similar fastening device turned in opposite direction, that is to say that the blade 5 of this other device would be in abutment against wall 4 and angle C would face wall 3.

 This positioning with alternating orientation of the fasteners A is suitable, in particular, for a slot 2 constituting a floor joint between two horizontal slabs.

 Figure 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the joint cover 113 disposed in line with a slot 102 delimited by two walls 4 and 103 forming a right angle. The elements of this Figure 5 identical or playing roles analogous to elements already described with respect to the previous Figures are designated by the same reference numerals, possibly preceded by the number 1 of a hundred. Their description will not be repeated or will be made succinctly.

 The main differences are at the joint cover 113 which, instead of being constituted by a flat plate, has the shape of a right dihedral with a face 21 of great width which covers the slot 102 and a face 22 of narrower width, substantially orthogonal to the previous one, which bears against the wall 103 by the return 14b. The wing 16 of smaller height than the wing 15 can be located in the extension of the face 22. The wing 15 is located under the face 21 at a distance e from the wing 16.

 The attachment device A is identical to that described above. The curved end 11 of the blade 5 is engaged in the space 17 and the tab 12 provides self-locking against the planar internal face of the wing 15. Because the wing 16 is slightly spaced from the wall 103, the blade 5, at its end 11, is spaced from the wall 103.

 It should be noted that the tab 12 of the fastener A instead of being bent on the same side as the part 7 could be bent on the other side in which case the arrangement of the wings 15 and 16 would be reversed, either in the case of Figure 4 or Figure 5.

 The use and implementation of the fixing system according to the invention immediately results from the foregoing explanations.

 Having a joint cover 13 or 113 adapted to the slot 2 or 102, and fastening devices A conjugate of the joint cover, in a sufficient number to ensure good distribution along the slot, it is put in place successively, at regularly ready spaced locations, the end 11 of each attachment device in the space 17 between the wings 15 and 16.

 This positioning is carried out by pushing the end 11 into the space 17 by a simple translational movement until it comes into abutment against the internal face of the joint cover 13. During this engagement, the tab 12 is slightly closed in the direction of the blade 5 by its coming into contact with the wall 15. The tab 12, due to the elasticity of the material of the blade 5, is therefore applied by a restoring force against the internal face of the wall 15, at an angle a which ensures the self-locking of the edge 12 against the flat internal face of the wall 15.

 The angle a for ensuring this self-locking can vary in relatively large proportions, so that the manufacturing tolerances concerning the width of the tab 12 and the dimension e are not restrictive for simple manufacture. It is therefore ensured that the end 11 comes into abutment against the internal face of the joint cover 13 and the attachment of the tab 12 against the wing 15, eliminating any possible clearance between the joint cover 13 and the end 11.

 The ends 6 of the fastening devices A thus fixed to the joint cover 13 are then introduced into the slot 2 until the edge 14a, 14b of the joint cover 13 is properly applied against the faces of the elements separated by the slot . The presence of the stiffeners 19, 20 makes it possible to avoid bending of the blade 5 which could cause, by spring effect, during installation, a slight detachment of the returns 14a, 14b with respect to the faces of the blocks against which they should rely on.

 The fastening device according to the invention is particularly simple to manufacture, since it consists of a single blade 5. Similarly the joint cover 13, 113 is of simplified manufacture since the wings 15, 16 are entirely flat without any transverse projection intended to form a hook. Since manufacturing tolerances can be relatively wide, manufacturing is made easier. The installation of the joint cover is simplified and accelerated.

 The lug 12 is hooked against the wall 15 along the entire width of the edge 18.

 If necessary, the curved tab 7 could be replaced by a tongue cut on three sides and deformed outwards in the manner of a puncture.

Claims (12)

1. System for fixing an object (1) in line with a slot (2) limited by two substantially parallel walls (3,4), system comprising a fastening device (A) formed by a blade (5) of a material having a certain elasticity, comprising a first end (6) intended to be introduced into the slot and provided with means for anchoring to at least one wall of this slot, and a second end (11) intended to be located outside the slot and provided with retaining means (R) suitable for cooperating with attachment means provided on the object to be fixed, these attachment means comprising two wings (15, 16) integral with the object , and the retaining means (R) comprising a tab (12) formed by the second end of the blade (5) bent towards the first end (6) while moving transversely away from the blade, characterized in that:  the internal faces of the wings (15, 16) of the hooking means have no projection, said wings defining between them a space (17) of a determined width (e),  - the distance between the edge (18) of the tab (12) of the retaining means in the free state and the blade (5) is greater than the width (e) of the space between the wings of the object to fix,  - And this tab (12) of the retaining means is arranged such that, when the second end (11) of the blade is engaged between the two wings (15,16) and the blade (5) is in abutment the internal face of one wing (16), the end (18) of the tab attacks the internal face of the other wing (15) at an angle (a) such that an autoblocking occurs on this face 2. Fastening system according to claim 1, characterized in that the wings (15,16) of the object (1) are planar. 3. Fastening system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when the second end (11) of the blade is engaged between the wings (15,16) of the attachment means, the angle (a) formed between the mean plane of the tab (12) and the wing (15), against which the edge (18) of this tab is in abutment, is greater than a lower limit of the order of 20 and is less than 90 ". 4. Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims 1, characterized in that the edge (18) of the tab bearing against the wing (15) is rectilinear. 5. Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tab (12) extends along the entire width of the blade (5) which is bent without cutting. 6. Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening device (A) is asymmetrical and comprises only a curved part (6) as an anchoring means, the area of the blade (5 ) opposite the anchoring edge being in abutment against the other wall (3) of the slot, while at the level of the retaining means (R), the zone of the blade opposite the tab (6) is in abutment against one wing (16) and the edge (18) of the tab hooks the other wing (15). 7. Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the anchoring means (7) are located on the same side of the mean plane of the blade (5) as the tab (12) forming retaining means . 8. Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wings (15, 16) integral with the object (1) to be fixed are offset transversely, relative to the center line of the object, the object being fixed so that the wings are located, with respect to the midline, on the side of the wall (3) of the slot against which the blade (5) of the fastening device comes to bear 9. Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height of the wings (15,16) is different, one (16) of the wings having a height (h) insufficient to allow attachment. by the tab (12) of the blade, so that only one direction of mounting of the second end (11) of the blade in the attachment means is possible. 10. Fastening system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the part of the blade (5) between the anchoring means (7) and the retaining means (R), comprises at least one element stiffener, consisting of a rib (19,20) or a longitudinal profile. 11. Fastening device (A) for a fixing system according to one of the preceding claims, formed by a blade (5) of a material having a certain elasticity, comprising a first end (6) intended to be introduced into a slot and provided with means for anchoring to at least one wall of this slot, and a second end (11) intended to be located outside the slot and provided with retaining means (R) suitable for cooperating with means for attachment provided on an object to be fixed, the retaining means (R) comprising a tab (12) formed by the second end of the blade (5) bent towards the first end (6) while moving transversely from the blade, characterized in that:  the distance between the edge (18) of the tab (12) of the retaining means in the free state and the blade (5) is greater than the width of a space between two wings of the object to be fixed,  - And this tab (12) is arranged so that, when the second end (11) of the blade is engaged between the two wings (15,16) and the blade (5) is in abutment against the internal face d 'one wing (16), the end (18) of the tab attacks the internal face of the other wing at an angle (a) such that a self-locking occurs on this face 12. Joint cover for a fixing system according to one of claims 1 to 10, consisting of a profile comprising two wings, characterized in that the internal faces of the wings (15,16) are devoid of projection, said wings defining between they a space (17) of a width (e) determined to receive the retaining means of the fastening device