The present application is the US national phase of International Patent Application No. PCT/BG2013/000016, filed Apr. 9, 2013, which application claims priority of Belgium Application No. 111211, filed May 22, 2012. The priority application, BG 111211, is hereby incorporated by reference.
The invention relates to a construction profile, a construction set, a construction profile kit and a fixing system for ventilated claddings.
Document WO 2009/074346 A2 discloses a construction profile with a polygonal cross-section according to and a fixing system comprising the construction profile.
A problem to be solved by the present invention is to improve a construction profile with respect to its stability and usability as a construction element can be mounted quickly or receive parts to be mounted on it. This problem is solved by a construction profile with a polygonal cross-section comprises edge portions being provided with slots formed between adjacent polygon faces and extending in an inclined direction relative thereto. The advantage of having slots at the edge portions is that the slots are located at the farthest point from the center of the construction profile. Thereby the supporting polygon face in-between the slots is maximized.
Particularly advantageous is a construction profile each slot of which is formed as a recess with an outer insert portion and an inner bottom portion. This way supporting or holding elements can be guided into the slots for a distance, which is predetermined by the shape of either the outer insert portion or the shape of the bottom portion with regard to the element to be mounted on the construction profile.
A further advantageous modification is one where the insert portion is formed as a taper with the bottom portion forming an undercut behind the narrow end of the taper. Such slots offer a detachable attachment of parts onto the profile or of the profile onto compatible structures. Moreover, such slots can serve as guides for parts that are adapted to be slid into the slots from one of the longitudinal ends of the profile.
Preferably, the bottom portion of the slots has a circular shape in order to resemble together with the outer insert portion a keyhole such as required for the establishment of a key and slot joint.
According to another preferred modification the bottom portions of the slots are provided with at least one longitudinal recess capable of accommodating chip or splitter caused by the fastening of self-cutting screws in the bottom portions of the slots at the longitudinal ends of the profile.
According to a particularly advantageous embodiment the construction profile according to the invention is formed as a hollow profile comprising a contour wall with straight portions forming the polygon faces and clip-like folded portions forming the slots. The weight of such a profile is significantly decreased, while the clip-like folded portions reinforce the construction profile.
For a better functioning of the slots as clips it is preferable when the wall thickness of the bottom portion is lower than the wall thickness of the adjacent taper and faces. Thus, the wall of the bottom portion can serve as a hinge when supporting or holding elements are clicked-in from the circumference of the profile through the insert portion or have to be removed from the bottom portion through the insert portion.
Because of their length and constant cross-section construction profiles according to the invention are preferably obtained by extrusion. As for materials, aluminum or polymers are preferably suited for the purpose, because they are generally lightweight and at the same time stiff enough to ensure the structural integrity of the construction profile.
A further problem solved by the present invention is to further develop a construction set comprising a construction profile and a supporting and/or a holding element to be attached to the profile, said construction set being improved with respect to its stability and usability and allowing for a quick and versatile mounting. This problem is solved by a construction set comprising a construction profile with a polygonal cross-section and a plurality of edges with at least one slot formed in the edge portion of the profile, and a holding or supporting element being able to engage with the slot while fitting with at least one face of the profile next to the edge which face does not comprise the slot. Such a set enables the use of holding or supporting elements having large plain, āLā-shape or āUā-shape mounting faces fitting with corresponding profile mounting faces for a better stability. Further, the set according to the invention allows the use of different possible shapes of the holding or supporting elements for achieving a variety of construction arrangements, which in the end benefits the overall usability of the construction set.
Preferably, the supporting or holding element of the construction set has two engaging portions being able to engage with slots separated by a polygonal face extending there between. This way the supporting or holding element can be mounted on the construction profile without the need for additional fastening elements such as screws.
Further preferable is a construction set with a construction profile that is one of the above described construction profiles according to the invention. By this arrangement the advantages of the improved construction profile are integrated into the construction set.
It is advantageous that each face of the profile comprises two slots each formed along and close to one of the edges confining the face. In other words, each face has two slots at its distant ends. This allows for multiple combinations between the respective elements of the construction set and also ensures that one whole polygonal face can be used for fitting with the holding or supporting element to be attached to the profile.
Another problem solved by the present invention is the provision of a construction profile kit allowing for a quick, precise and stable construction of profile frames. Such a construction profile kit comprises hollow construction profiles and joint profiles being formed so as to be inserted in an end of a respective hollow construction profile and get in abutment with the inner sides of at least two opposite wall faces of the hollow construction profile. Through such a system various construction profiles can be put together to a desired length.
It is particularly preferable if the joint profile is formed such as to get in abutment with each of the inner sides of the wall faces of the hollow construction profile.
Particularly advantageous is if one of the described joint profiles is capable of abutting at least one of the inner sides of the hollow construction profile while it further abuts the inner walls of slots formed on both ends of said one inner side.
A further problem solved by the present invention is the provision of a fixing system for ventilated facades having improved stability, mounting versatility and allowing for a fast and easy assembly and maintenance. This problem is solved by a fixing system comprising a supporting frame of construction profiles described above. Such fixing system preferably comprises holding elements for holding facade plates and supporting elements for supporting the frame to a facade, these elements being formed so as to be slid or plugged (clicked-in) into the slots of the construction profiles. The versatility of such a fixing system results from the circumstance that holding and supporting elements can assume a plurality of various mounting positions on the profiles.
Preferably, the fixing system comprises brackets that receive the supporting elements and are formed so as to be anchored to a facade. This arrangement allows for an easy replacement of the supporting elements while the brackets anchored to the facade remain in place.
Particularly advantageous is a fixing system, wherein the holding and/or supporting elements comprise at least one elongated projection that is capable of engaging with one of the slots of the construction profile. The projection can serve to align the holding and/or supporting elements to the construction profiles during installation.
The fixing system preferably has supporting elements comprising two elongated projections to be slid and/or plugged (clicked-in) into the slots of a construction profile so as to enable a positive locking. Two projections offer an increased safety of the connection between such a supporting element and the construction profile.
It is advantageous that the elongated projection of the holding element has a tooth-like cross-section fitting only with the tapered opening of the slots of the construction profile. This way the elongated projection can be manufactured with generous tolerances with regard to its length, because it can reach to just the beginning of the tapered opening of the slot or all the way to the bottom portion wall of the slot. Also, special care is not necessary when mounting, since the arrangement is self-guiding.
The above fixing system preferably comprises two construction profiles connected by a joint profile fitted in adjacent end portions of these profiles which share one supporting element attached to these end portions. Such an arrangement potentially minimizes the number of supporting elements necessary for the assembly of a supporting frame made of the construction profiles.
As shown in
In the particular embodiments shown in
The slots 5 of the profile embodiment shown in
As can be seen in each of the
The construction profile 1 according to the embodiments shown in
An embodiment of a construction set according to the present invention is shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Another embodiment of the construction profile kit according to the present invention relies on the use of a rectangular body 63 as a joint profile, however without spreading fins as shown in
In order to set up frames the construction profile kit according to the invention can also comprise a joint element 71 cut as a narrow slice of the body 63 (shown in
Another joint element 73 shown in
Similar supporting elements 85 and joint element 85 are shown in
According to the illustration of
The fixing system is further provided with holding elements 23, 79, 81 for holding facade plates 83 and supporting elements 21, 85 for supporting the frame to a facade 87. The holding and supporting elements are formed so as to be slid or plugged (clicked-in) into corresponding slots of the construction profiles. The fixing system comprises brackets 89 that receive the supporting elements 21, 85 and are formed so as to be anchored to the facade 87 by bolts 91 and tightening nuts 93. Each bracket has a base portion anchored by said bolts an upright mounting plate portion 94 and an adjacent spring plate 95 having easy-fit end 97 for receiving and clamping a support element before fixing it by rivets 99 to the mounting plate portion 94 as shown in
As additionally illustrated by
Further each holding element 23, 79, 81 is provided at its front face with one or two disc portions 101 engaging in corresponding slits 103 formed in the circumference of the facade plates 83.
The above fixing system preferably comprises two construction profiles connected by a joint profile fitted in adjacent end portions of these profiles which share one supporting element attached to these end portions. Such an arrangement potentially minimizes the number of supporting elements necessary for the assembly of a supporting frame made of the construction profiles.
The above described construction profile, construction set, construction profile kit and fixing system, are preferably used for ventilated claddings, but their respective use is not limited thereto. Other technical fields include outer or interior decoration, exhibition stand construction, toy construction systems or furniture construction systems, e.g. for the assembly of shelves, tables and chairs.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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111211 | May 2012 | BG | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/BG2013/000016 | 4/9/2013 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2013/173887 | 11/28/2013 | WO | A |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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