SUPPORT DEVICE FOR A PANEL AND METHOD TO ASSEMBLE A PANEL

Abstract

Support device (1) for a panel (2), comprising:

Description

The object of the present invention is a support device for a panel and a method to assemble a panel, in particular to be used in interior designs.

Support devices for panels comprising a lower and an upper profile suitable to house the relative opposite borders of the same panel are known in prior art. In particular, after having applied the lower profile to the floor and the upper profile to the ceiling, the upper border of the panel is located inside a recess of the upper profile, while the lower border of the panel is located inside a recess of the lower profile. The panel thus assembled appears to be substantially orthogonal to the floor and to the ceiling and its height in relation to the floor can be adjusted by introducing shims. Indeed, in case the height of the panel in relation to the floor must be modified, the panel borders must be removed from the housings in the relative profiles. Then, a specific number of shims is located nearby the recess of the lower profile in order to obtain the wanted height. These shims are constituted for example by blocks in wood, metal or plastic.

The main disadvantage of the solution above described is due to the fact that the adjustment operations of the panel height are time consuming and laborious. Indeed, each time an adjustment must be performed, the panel must be disassembled and in general, this is heavy and bulky. In addition, especially in case of glass panels, handling is critical because the operator may accidentally bend the panels or collide against other objects (furniture, machineries, walls), thus damaging the same panels or breaking them. Since adjusting the panel height is a frequent operation, carried out to compensate for the tolerances due to deformation under strain of the profile materials, the panels are subject to repeated mechanical stresses and tend to wear out quickly.

Another disadvantage of the existing solutions is linked to the fact that the shims allow to adjust the height with rough precision, therefore for discreet pitches of at least a few millimetres, while the deformations of materials are in micron.

Another disadvantage of the existing known solutions concerns the deformation of the same shims. Indeed, the shims which are subject to the weight of the panel, give way and deform, therefore additional adjustments of the panel height are needed.

In this context, the technical task at the basis of the present invention is to provide a support device for a panel and a method to assemble a panel which overcome the inconveniences of the above mentioned prior art.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a support device for a panel and a method to assemble a panel, which allow to adjust the height of the panel in relation to the floor quickly and easily.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a support device for a panel and a method to assemble a panel that allow to reduce or eliminate the risks of damaging the panel when adjusting its height in relation to the floor.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a support device for a panel and a method to assemble a panel, which allow to increase the average life of the panel.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a support device for a panel and a method to assemble a panel, which allow to accurately adjust the height of the panel in relation to the floor, therefore to recover the tolerances due to the micrometric deformations of the materials.

The described technical task and the specified objects are mainly reached by a support device for a panel and a method to assemble a panel, comprising the technical characteristics indicated in one or more of the appended claims.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the illustrative and thus non limitative description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a support device for a panel and a method to assemble a panel, as shown in the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a support device for a panel, according to the present invention, in a vertical sectional view;

FIG. 2 a shows a detail (profile) of the device of FIG. 1, in a vertical sectional view;

FIG. 2 b shows a third embodiment of the profile of FIG. 2a, in a vertical sectional view;

FIG. 3 shows a detail (spacer) of the device of FIG. 1, in a vertical sectional view;

FIG. 4 shows the spacer of FIG. 3, in a perspective view;

FIG. 5 shows a detail (joining means) of the device of FIG. 1, in an exploded vertical sectional view;

FIG. 6 partially shows the joining means (bent plate) of FIG. 5, in a top view;

FIG. 7 partially shows the joining means (bushing) of FIG. 5, in a top view;

FIG. 8 shows a wall structure according to the present invention, in a perspective view;

FIG. 9 shows a portion of the wall structure of FIG. 8, in a vertical sectional view;

FIG. 10 shows an enlargement of the portion of FIG. 9 (without gaskets), in a vertical sectional view.

With reference to the figures, 1 indicates a support device for a panel 2. Preferably, panel 2 is made in glass for example of tempered type, with transparent, acidified or back-painted finish. Alternately, panel 2 is made in wood, for example subject to “open pore” painting.

Device 1 comprises a profile 4 defining a housing section 5 in which the border 3 of panel 2 is inserted. In particular, housing section 5 is delimited by a base 6, by a first lateral wall 7 and by a second lateral wall 8 of profile 4. This way, the housing section 5 boasts the shape of an open recess with the vertical section in the shape of a squared “U” with an access opening 9 (see FIG. 1). Preferably, profile 4 is made in aluminium. For example, panel 2 has a thickness between 8 mm and 12 mm, while access opening 9 has a size between 18 and 20 mm.

Device 1 is equipped with height adjusting means 10 of panel 2 in relation to base 6 of profile 2. These adjusting means 10 are arranged inside the housing section 5.

Advantageously, adjusting means 10 are least partially arranged nearby the first lateral wall 7 so that, with border 3 of panel 2 inserted in the housing section 5, these adjusting means 10 can be accessed through a first passing slot 11. In particular, as shown in FIG. 10, this first passing slot 11 is obtained between border 3 of panel 2 and the first lateral wall 7 to allow the adjustment of the height of panel 2 already installed. More precisely, the first passing slot 11 is obtained between the border 3 of panel 2 and a tooth 7a of the first lateral wall 7. Preferably, border 3 of panel 2 and the second lateral wall 8 define a second passing slot 26. More precisely, the second passing slot 26 is obtained between the border 3 of panel 2 and a tooth 8a of the first lateral wall 8.

Innovatively, the adjusting means 10 comprise a lower plate 12 and an upper plate 13. Lower plate 12 laid onto base 6 of profile 4 is equipped with cylindrical pins 14 (for example in steel) which are parallel to each other. For example, lower plate 12 has the shape of a parallelepiped of sizes 50 mm×30 mm×4 mm and a surface 15 of larger sizes (50 mm×30 mm) with two protruding pins 14a and 14b, which are orthogonal to such surface 15, as shown in FIG. 4. Smooth holes 16 are obtained in the upper plate 13, onto which border 3 of panel 2 is positioned, for the passage of the same pins 14. In addition, a threaded hole 17 is obtained on the upper plate 13, located between said smooth holes 16. The smooth holes 16 and the threaded hole 17 are through holes. For example, the upper plate 13 has the shape of a parallelepiped of sizes 50 mm×25 mm×8 mm which surfaces 18 of larger sizes are crossed by two smooth holes 16a, 16b and by threaded hole 17, as shown in FIG. 4. Preferably, smooth holes 16a and 16b and threaded hole 17 have a circular section and aligned centres. The lower plate 12 and the upper plate 13 are parallel to each other so that pins 14a and 14b can go through smooth holes 16a, 16b while threaded hole 17 can house a screw 19, preferably without head. Advantageously, screw 19 is located nearby the first lateral wall 7 so that screw 19 is in the first passing slot 11, with border 3 of panel 2 inserted in the housing section 5. The lower plate 12 (with pins 14), the upper plate 13 (with the smooth holes 16 and the threaded hole 17) and the screw 19 define in this way a spacer 20.

In a first embodiment herein described and illustrated, profile 4 is made by a first portion 4a and by a second portion 4b which are different from each other and can be connected through joining means 21 so as to define the housing section 5. Preferably, the two portions 4a and 4b of profile 4 are asymmetrical, as shown in FIG. 2a. In particular, the first portion 4a defines the first lateral wall 7 of the housing section 5, while the second portion 4b defines the base 6 and the second lateral wall 8 of housing section 5.

In a second embodiment (not shown), the two portions 4a and 4b of profile 4 are symmetrical. In particular, the first portion 4a defines the first lateral wall 7 and half of base 6 of the housing section 5, while the second portion 4b defines the second lateral wall 8 and the other half of base 6 of the housing section 5.

In a third embodiment, shown in FIG. 2b, profile 4 is made by a single piece.

Preferably, the first lateral wall 7 has a joint seat 22 and the second lateral wall 8 has a shouldered part 23 (for example, see FIGS. 1 and 10). As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, joining means 21 comprise a bent plate 24 having a first end 24a inserted into the shouldered part 23 and a second end 24b with a bushing 25. In particular, this plate 24 is bent to support bushing 25. Note that the horizontal section of bushing 25 is defined by a semi-circular groove 25a and by a segment 25b, as shown in FIG. 7. Advantageously, bushing 25 can be accessed through the first passing slot 11 so that when subject to rotation, this bushing 25 engages the joint seat 22. Indeed, by rotating the bushing 25, this goes from an idle configuration in which segment 25b is mainly parallel to the first lateral wall 7 to a working configuration in which the extension of segment 25b is of incident type in relation to the first lateral wall 7.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the shouldered part 23 is obtained in the first lateral wall 7, while the joint seat 22 is obtained in the second lateral wall 8. The first end 24a of the bent plate 24 can be inserted into the shouldered part 23. The bushing 25, located nearby the second end 24b of the bent plate 24 can be accessed through the second passing slot 26. In particular, when rotating the bushing 25, this will engage the joint seat 22. Indeed, by rotating the bushing 25, this goes from an idle configuration in which the segment 25b is mainly parallel to the second lateral wall 8 to a working configuration in which the extension of segment 25b is of incident type in relation to the second lateral wall 8.

Preferably, device 1 is also equipped with gaskets 35 which are snap-applied between profile 4 and border 3 of panel 2 so as to isolate the housing section 5. In particular, these gaskets 35 are applied so as to close the first slot 11 and the second passing slot 26, as shown in FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 8, preferably support device 1 is used in a wall structure 27 made by a plurality of uprights 28 and beams 29 which define sectors in order to apply as many panels 2. In particular, profile 4 of device 1 can be anchored to a floor 30 or ground in order to build the lower profile of wall structure 27.

The method to assemble a panel according to the present invention is described below.

First of all it must be considered the use of monolithic profiles (therefore made by a single piece). A lower profile 4 is laid onto the floor 30 or on the ground and anchored to it. An upper profile 40 is anchored to a ceiling 32. Preferably, upper profile 40 is identical to lower profile 4. Access opening 9 of lower profile 4 faces access opening 90 of upper profile 40.

One or more spacers 20 are introduced into the lower housing section 5 defined in lower profile 4, in general two for each panel 2 to support. In particular, the lower plate 12 of each spacer 20 is laid onto the base 6 of the lower profile 4.

An upper border 33 of panel 2 is inserted into an upper housing section 50 defined in the upper profile 40. A lower border 3 of panel 2 is inserted into the lower housing section 5, in particular this lower border 3 lies onto the upper plate 13. This way, panel 2 is mainly orthogonal to floor 30 and ceiling 32.

The height of panel 2 in relation to the base 6 of the lower profile 4 (and therefore the height of panel 2 in relation to floor 30) is adjusted through adjusting means 10 arranged in the lower housing section 5. Advantageously, the access to the adjusting means 10 takes place through the first passing slot 11 so as to allow the adjustment once installed. For example, by passing an allen wrench 34 through the first passing slot 11, the screw 19 is screwed in the threaded hole 17. This way, the upper plate 13 is closer or further to the lower plate 12, thus allowing to change the height of panel 2 in relation to base 6 of the lower profile 4. In particular, when screwing the screw 19, pins 14a and 14b and the relative smooth holes 16a and 16b act as guides. For example, each turn of screw 19 determines a change of height equal to about 0.8 mm.

Now it must be considered the use of a lower, non monolithic profile 4, therefore consisting of two different portions 4a and 4b different from each other and that can be connected to each other. First of all, lay the second portion 4b of the lower profile 4 onto floor 30. The lower plate 12 of spacer 20 is laid onto the base 6 of the lower profile 4. Therefore lay one or more bent plates 24 onto the base 6 of the lower profile 4. In particular, the first end 24a of each bent plate 24 is inserted into the shouldered part 23 in the second lateral wall 8, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 10. Then, the lower border 3 of panel 2 is positioned nearby the base 6 of the lower profile 4, in particular this lower border 3 lies onto the upper plate 13. In conclusion, the first portion 4a is placed besides the second portion 4b of the lower profile 4. The connection between the two portions 4a and 4b is done by rotating the bushing 25 of each bent plate 24 (for example through the alien wrench 34) so that the bushing 25 engages the joint seat 22. The adjustment of the height of panel 2 is done as explained above. In conclusion, snap gaskets 35 are applied between lower profile 4 and lower border 3 and between upper profile 40 and upper border 33.

According to the above description, the characteristics of the support device of a panel and of the method to assemble a panel are clear, according to the present invention, as well as consequent advantages.

In particular, thanks to the first passing slot, it is possible to access the screw and adjust the panel height once installed. This adjustment is easy and quick since it is sufficient to introduce the allen wrench in the first passing slot, avoiding to remove the panel. In addition, the adjustment of the panel height once installed, allows to reduce or fully eliminate the risks of damaging the panel during the adjusting operations, thus reducing wearing.

In addition, since each turn of the screw corresponds to a change of height less than one millimetre, the proposed device and method allow to adjust the panel height accurately in relation to the floor, allowing to recover the tolerances due to the micrometric deformations of the materials.

In addition, the use of a non-monolithic profile (for example made by two portions) renders the assembly of the panel even easier. Indeed, in this case, the panel is applied to the “front” of the second portion of the lower profile and not through clamping. Only later on, the second portion of the lower profile is applied, thus defining the housing section.

Claims

1. Support device (1) for a panel (2), comprising: a profile (4) defining a housing section (5) into which a border (3) of said panel (2) is inserted, said housing section (5) being delimited by a base (6), by a first lateral wall (7) and by a second lateral wall (8) of the profile (4);height adjusting means (10) of panel (2) in relation to the base (6) of said profile (4), said adjusting means (10) being arranged inside the housing section (5),characterised in that said adjusting means (10) are at least partially arranged nearby said first lateral wall (7) so that, with the border (3) of the panel (2) inserted in the housing section (5), these adjusting means (10) can be accessed through a first passing slot (11) located between the border (3) of the panel (2) and the first lateral wall (7) to allow the adjustment of the panel height once installed (2).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, in which said adjusting means (10) comprise a lower plate (12) laid onto the base (6) of profile (4) and an upper plate (13) onto which the border (3) of said panel (2) is positioned, said lower plate (12) being equipped with cylindrical pins (14) which are parallel to one another and go through the relative smooth holes (16) obtained in the upper plate (13); said upper plate (13) also having a threaded hole (17) located between said smooth holes (16) that houses a screw (19) located nearby said first lateral wall (7) so that said screw (19) is in the first passing slot (11) with the border (3) of the panel (2) inserted in the housing section (5).

3. Device (1) according to claim 1, in which said profile (4) is made by a first portion (4a) and by a second portion (4b) which are different from each other and can be connected through joining means (21) so as to define said housing section (5).

4. Device (1) according to claim 3, in which said portions (4a, 4b) are asymmetrical so that the first portion (4a) defines the first lateral wall (7) of the housing section (5) and the second portion (4b) defines the second lateral wall (8) and the base (6) of said housing section (5).

5. Device (1) according to claim 3, in which said portions (4a, 4b) are symmetrical so that the first portion (4a) defines the first lateral wall (7) and half of the base (6) of said housing section (5) and the second portion (4b) defines the second lateral wall (8) and the other half of the base (6) of said housing section (5).

6. Device (1) according to claim 3, in which said first lateral wall (7) has a joint seat (22) and said second lateral wall (8) boasts a shouldered part (23); said joining means (21) comprising a bent plate (24) having a first end (24a) that can be inserted into said shouldered part (23) and a second end (24b) equipped with a bushing (25), said bushing (25) being accessible through the first passing slot (11) so that when rotating, said bushing (25) will engage the joint seat (22).

7. Device (1) according to claim 3, in which said first lateral wall (7) boasts a shouldered part (23) and said second lateral wall (8) boasts a joint seat (22), said joining means (21) comprising a bent plate (24) having a first end (24a) that can be inserted into said shouldered part (23) and a second end (24b) equipped with a bushing (25), said bushing (25) being accessible through a second passing slot (26) located between the border (3) of panel (2) and the second lateral wall (8) so that when rotating, said bushing (25) will engage the joint seat (22).

8. Device (1) according to claim 1, also comprising gaskets (35) which are snap-applied between profile (4) and border (3) of panel (2) so as to isolate the housing section (5).

9. Wall structure (27) comprising a plurality of uprights (28) and beams (29) that define sectors for the application of as many panels (2), characterised by the fact of comprising support devices (1) for panels (2) according to claim 1, the profile (4) of said devices (1) being anchored to a floor (30) or ground so as to build the lower profile of said wall structure (27).

10. Method to assemble a panel (2) comprising the steps of: laying a lower profile (4) onto a floor (30) or ground;anchoring an upper profile (40) to a ceiling (32);inserting an upper border (33) of panel (2) into an upper housing section (50) defined in the upper profile (40);inserting a lower border (3) of panel (2) into a lower housing section (5) defined in the lower profile (4), said lower housing section (5) being delimited by a base (6), by a first lateral wall (7) and by a second lateral wall (8);adjusting the height of panel (2) in relation to the base (6) of said lower profile (4) through adjusting means (10) arranged in the lower housing section (5),

11. Method according to claim 10, in which the step of laying the lower profile (4) onto the floor (30) consists in turn to lay a second portion (4b) of said lower profile (4) onto the same floor (30), said second portion (4b) defining the base (6) and the second lateral wall (8) of the lower housing section (5), while the step of inserting the lower border (3) of panel (2) inside the lower housing section (5) consists in turn to position said lower border (3) nearby the base (6) and connect a first portion (4a) of the lower profile (4) to said second portion, said second portion (4a) defining the first lateral wall (7) of the lower housing section (5).