The present invention relates to a joining element for hingeably connecting together two or more panels. The panels may be sound-proofing, sound-reflecting or other types of panels.
It is known that, when a sound wave emitted in a closed room encounters a surface, part of its energy passes through the surface, part is absorbed by the impact with the surface and part is reflected into the room.
If, in a room, the reflective surface area is high, the room may be acoustically very disturbed since the sound waves produced inside it are amplified with an effect similar to that of an echo.
In order to improve the acoustics of a room, without structural modifications, it is known to provide in the room one or more sound-absorbing panels for absorbing a large part of the energy.
The acoustic correction measures involve lining the internal surfaces of the rooms with sound-proofing materials; they must have not only acoustic but also aesthetic characteristics suitable for allowing them to blend in with the interior design and furnishings.
Sound-proofing materials have the property that they absorb at least a part of the acoustic energy and reduce the amount of reflected energy.
The known sound-proofing panels, to be applied for example to a wall, have a structure composed of a layer of foam (for example foam rubber) lined with a sheet and kept rigid by a perimetral frame made of metal (for example aluminium), plastic or wood. The sheet is typically wound around the perimetral frame so as not to show, at least on a visible side, stitching or other joints. However, when a sound-proofing panel must have two visible sides, it is more difficult to mask a joint in the sheet in a zone where one edge of the sheet overlaps the other edge of the sheet.
In other known panels, the padding layer is combined with a rigid surface (for example made of metal, plastic or wood) which increases the rigidity thereof. The rigid surface may be positioned on one side of the padding or inside the padding itself, creating a sandwich structure.
A first drawback of the sound-proofing panels made according to the prior art consists in the presence of the frame or support surface. They may in fact have a considerable weight and therefore be difficult to handle, install and support; moreover often the frame or the support surface constitute the most costly item of the panel.
Another drawback, as already mentioned, is that the sound-proofing panels must have not only good sound-absorbing properties, but also satisfactory aesthetic characteristics since they must blend in with the interior design and the furnishings. The frame and the joints between two sheet edges used to cover the panel undoubtedly constitute unattractive features which do not blend in with the surroundings.
The problem which arises is that of providing a joining element for connecting together, in substantially hinged fashion, two or more panels in a simple, low-cost and removable manner.
According to the Applicant, the problem may be solved by means of a joining element for connecting together two or more panels,
The connection member may be a button, for example a button of the type generally stitched with a thread to clothing or a button (often metallic) commonly used, for example, for jeans or other casual trousers. These types of buttons are generally riveted. The connection member which complements the button may be an eyelet.
Alternatively, the connection member and the complementary connection member may be a hook and an eyelet.
Alternatively, the connection member and the complementary connection member may be a buckle and a hole (the tongue of the buckle is inserted inside a hole).
Alternatively, the connection member and the complementary connection member may be small hooks and loops. This connection system is often known as a Velcro® fastening system.
Alternatively, the connection member and the complementary connection member may be of the “automatic button” type with an automatic male button and an automatic female button.
Alternatively, the connection member and the complementary connection member may be of the magnetic type, with a positive magnetic member and a negative magnetic member.
The two connection members may be engaged, released and engaged again many times.
Optionally, the connection members may also be a combination of the aforementioned members.
The second part may comprise two edge portions with free ends.
The first part may comprise two edge portions with free ends.
The first part may be shaped as a closed loop.
In embodiments, the first part comprises at least two buttons.
In embodiments, the first part comprises at least two eyelets. In embodiments, the first part comprises at least two eyelets.
The strip section may be made of an at least partially elastic material so as to adhere to the shape of a panel. Alternatively, it may be made of a textile material, a plastic material or a material punched from a flexible material.
In embodiments, the buttons are fixed to a panel.
In embodiments, the hinge line or area is formed by means of stitching, welding, gluing, stapling or a combination of these operations.
According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a panel assembly comprising at least two panels and at least one joining element according to any one of the preceding claims, with a connection member which engages with a corresponding complementary connection member, for example, at least one button engaging with an eyelet.
The panels may be sound-absorbing panels comprising heat-bonded synthetic fibres. The heat-bonded synthetic fibres may comprise polyester fibres.
In the present description, for the sake of simplicity, the term “sound-proofing panel” is mainly used, but it is understood that this wording embraces other panels which influence the acoustics of a room, for example sound-reflecting panels. The term, for the purposes of the present description and the claims, also embraces any panel, which also does not have sound-absorbing and/or sound-reflecting characteristics. The panel may be made of any material, for example wood or wood derivatives (chipboard, MDF, veneered, etc.), metal, plastic or glass. The panel, alternatively, could be made of cardboard or the like, expanded foam or textile material. Optionally the panel could be made of a combination of the aforementioned materials.
There now follows a detailed description of a particular type of sound-absorbing panel which is particularly suitable for use with the joining element according to the invention. This specific description is not to be understood as limiting the scope of protection, but is provided solely by way of example.
With reference to
The panel may have a rectangular shape (as in
In one embodiment, the heat-bonded synthetic fibres 10 comprise polyester fibres.
Preferably, the fibres are non-toxic and non-irritants. Furthermore they may be able to be fully recycled.
The sound-proofing panel 1 preferably comprises a first layer of fabric 11 facing a first side of the padding layer 20. The sound-proofing panel 1 also comprises, preferably, a second layer of fabric 12 facing a second opposite side of the padding layer 20 (
Preferably, the layers of fabric 11, 12 are also made of polyester.
In one embodiment, the fabric is of the Trevira CS flame-retarding type.
The panel 1 may comprise preferably an adhesive layer 13 arranged between the padding layer 20 and each of the layers of fabric 11 and 12.
In particular, the adhesive layer 13 may advantageously comprise a layer of glue, preferably applied by means of spreading.
The panel 1, in a central position P thereof (
For the purposes of the present description and the accompanying claims, the term “central position PC” is understood as meaning a position inside a central area of the panel. In turn, the term “central area” is understood as meaning an area which is sufficiently distant from the perimeter of the panel and from the transition contour. For example, for a rectangular shaped panel with a first axis parallel to the long side and a second axis parallel to the short side, the central area is a substantially rectangular area symmetrical relative to the first and second axes. The central area may have a width equal to 2×L1, where L1 is about 30% of the width of the panel, and a length equal to 2×L2, where L2 is about 30-40% of the height of the panel.
Advantageously, the panel 1 may be shaped so as to have an edge 14 with a second thickness SP2, smaller than the first thickness SP1 (
The second thickness SP2 in the region of the edge 14 may be between 5% and about 30% of the first thickness SP1.
The edge 14 may be formed along at least part of the perimeter of the panel 1 or, alternatively, along the entire perimeter of the panel 1.
The panel 1 may have a transition thickness SP3 (
In particular, the transition thickness SP3 increases from the value of the second thickness SP2 to the value of the first thickness SP1 with a substantially logarithmic progression as the distance from the edge 14 increases.
The panel 1 has density values which vary from the central position P as far as the edge 14.
Moreover, preferably, the padding layer 20, in at least one portion of the panel (for example the central area PC), has a variable density, which is greater in the region of its outer layer and smaller in the region of its inner layer.
Advantageously, according to the invention, the structure created does not require any support frame; in fact the edge 14 acts as a frame.
Moreover, the panel does not require any joint between sheet edges, since no covering sheet is envisaged; the covering, in fact, in one embodiment, consists of the layers of fabric 11 and 12 which form a single body with the padding layer 20. The aesthetic characteristics, therefore, are particularly attractive and may be blended in (also in terms of colours or shapes) with the characteristics of the surroundings.
The low weight of the panel 1 facilitates the design of all the supporting means necessary for hanging or joining the panel.
Preferably, the padding layer 20 and the layers of fabric 11, 12 are made of fireproof material.
Preferably, the padding layer 20 and the layers of fabric 11, 12 are treated with antibacterial material.
In short, the panel achieves a number of advantages: it does not require any support frame because the edge acts as a frame; it does not require any joint between sheet edges since (at least in one embodiment) no covering sheet is envisaged; the covering, in fact, consists of the layers of fabric which form a single body with the padding layer, the aesthetic characteristics are particularly attractive and may be blended in with the characteristics of the surroundings.
The edge also acts, at least partly, as a sound-proofing material and prevents reverberation of the sound waves.
The panel may be easily supported since it has a very low weight compared to the panels of the prior art.
The low weight of the panel facilitates the design of all the supporting means necessary for hanging or joining the panel.
It is fully recyclable since it is made entirely of polyester.
For the sake of simplicity, in the various figures only a combination of fastening members of the button and eyelet type are shown. Obviously, this choice is only of exemplary nature and is not to be understood as limiting the scope of the invention. Functionally equivalent members chosen from among the following pairs of members may be used: eyelet and button, eyelet and hook, buckle and hole, small hooks and loops (Velcro® and the like), automatic male button and automatic female button, positive magnetic member and negative magnetic member, or a combination thereof.
The joining element comprises a strip. The joining element may comprise a single strip or several strips.
The joining element 101 comprises a first part A and a second part B. In the first embodiment (
In
As briefly mentioned above, the joining element 101 could comprise a single strip or several strips. For example, with reference to
The first part A and the second part B are joined together along a hinge line or a hinge area C. The type of joint between the first and second parts depends on the type of material used for the strip or strips. For example, the two parts could be glued, welded, stitched, stapled or joined together by means of two or more of the aforementioned systems.
The first part A comprises at least two buttons D1, D2 situated towards the outside of the closed loop. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first part comprises four buttons. The number of buttons D1,D2 could, however, be greater or smaller than four.
Preferably, the buttons D1,D2 of the first part consist of an even number and are arranged, in pairs, at a same distance from the hinge line (or area). Preferably, the distance of the buttons D1, which are closest, from the hinge line (or area) C is substantially the same as the distance of the other buttons D2 from the “tip” A1 of the closed loop. The “tip” A1 of the closed loop is the end furthest from the hinge point C when the loop is flattened substantially in a plane.
Each button D1,D2 has a shank G and a head T with a diameter greater than the diameter of the shank G. Preferably, both the shank and the head have a circular cross-section.
Each button D1,D2 may be fixed in a known manner to the strip. Typically, each button is riveted.
The second part B could also comprise two eyelets B1. The eyelets B1 of the second part B could also consist of a number greater than two. Preferably, the centre of each eyelet is arranged substantially at a distance from the hinge line (or area) C corresponding to the distance between each of the buttons D1 and the hinge line (or area) C.
Preferably, the eyelets B1 of the second part extend in the longitudinal direction of the strip, i.e. in the direction of its length.
The free ends L of the second part B are preferably finished for example with an edge, a rim or a finishing strip.
The bottom joining element is assembled in the same manner.
In this way, for each of the two joining elements 101 (top element and bottom element) there will be two free edge portions L available for connection to another panel 1.
The buttons of a corresponding joining element fitted onto another panel may be inserted into the eyelets B1 of the second part B of the two joining elements 101. In this way, the two panels are connected together in a substantially hinged manner.
One of the advantages of the present invention is that the strips which form the joining elements are relatively thin and may be arranged on top of each other.
In this way, each panel 1 is embraced by straps which adhere in a continuous manner without free edge portions which are dangling.
In addition to the possibility of joining together two or more panels so as to form a wall (optionally with angled panels as shown in
The joining element 102 according to the second embodiment also comprises a first part and a second part. Differently from the first embodiment, the first and second parts are substantially the same as each other and are substantially similar to the second part B of the first embodiment 101. Therefore, the joining element 102 according to the second embodiment is a body which is substantially symmetrical where each of the two parts B comprises edge portions which are not in the form of a closed loop. Each of the four edge portions has an eyelet B1 for engagement with a button D3.
Each button D3 is preferably fixed at a same distance from the edge of the panel, typically a few centimeters for example 4-6 cm.
Each of the buttons D3 may be fixed to the panel 1 in any known manner, for example by means of riveting or by means of a screw. Each button D3 (schematically shown in
A button D3 could also be fixed to a plate or to a strip associated with the panel in various ways, for example by means of gluing, Velcro-type fastening systems or the like.
As shown in
As for the first embodiment, in addition to linear configurations it is also possible to connect the panels 1 so as to form angled arrangements. This possibility is shown in
Advantageously, in a similar manner to the first embodiment, sleeves P, preferably two substantially rigid sleeves (made of metal, plastic or the like), are used.
According to a fourth embodiment, shown in
The strips which form the joining elements according to the invention, preferably, are made of a material which is slightly elastic so as to adhere to the shape of the panel 1. The strips which form the joining elements according to the invention could be made of textile material or also a non-textile material, for example they could be made of moulded plastic or punched from a flexible material.
In embodiments, the strip has a height of between 4 and 6 cm, preferably between about 4.5 and about 5 cm. In embodiments, the strip has a thickness of between 1 and 3 mm, for example about 1.5-2.0 mm.
Preferably, the dimension of the closed-loop part of the joining element according to the invention is slightly smaller than the perimeter of the cross-section of the panel 1. In this way the loop adheres to the panel and maintains the predefined position.
The joining elements may be freely positioned at any height and may be positioned so as to join together panels of different heights.
Advantageously, the panels joined together by means of the invention may be easily and rapidly disassembled and reconfigured in other positions. The joining elements may be engaged with each other and then disassembled and if necessary completely removed from the panel. Fastening/release may be performed several times without adversely affecting the functionality of the fastening system.
Advantageously, the panels, even without being disassembled, may be folded up together so as that they can stowed away or transported.
Advantageously, the joining elements according to the various embodiments may be combined with each other. In other words, for example, in order to join together two panels, four joining elements of the same type or two of one type and two of another type may be used. The invention therefore offers many combinations and possibilities for connecting together two or more panels.
Advantageously, movable walls or partitions for offices, exhibition areas, shops, shopping centres, etc., may be provided.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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MI20140125 U | Mar 2014 | IT | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/IB2015/000435 | 3/31/2015 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2015/150905 | 10/8/2015 | WO | A |
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3927438 | Blake | Dec 1975 | A |
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5729867 | Carmichael | Mar 1998 | A |
5732757 | Mariol | Mar 1998 | A |
20020117273 | Huang | Aug 2002 | A1 |
20110124953 | Novak | May 2011 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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2902510 | Jul 1980 | DE |
8302795 | Aug 1983 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20170145688 A1 | May 2017 | US |