Plate holder for fixing a cover device on a mounting device, as well as a mounting device, a cover device and a holding system

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a holding system comprising a fastening device and a plate holder for fixing a covering device on the fastening device, wherein the covering device has a receiving element and a fastening device, a covering device and a holding system.

[0002] State-of-the-art floor coverings are known in which covering devices in the form of floor panels cover the underlying floor. These covering devices can meet both visual and tactile needs and provide thermal and sound insulation.

[0003] One example is laminate flooring, where individual laminate panels are laid and locked together by horizontally approaching them using tongue and grooves.

[0004] Replacing individual panels, however, is a disadvantage. The individual laminate panels are interlocked, which means they support each other. If a laminate panel in the center of the room is damaged and needs to be replaced, this requires unlatching and picking up all the panels, starting from a possible loosening point in a corner of the room and ending with the damaged panel. In extreme cases, this can involve the majority of all installed panels, even if only a single panel needs to be replaced.

[0005] Removing panels is just as time-consuming if the underlying floor needs to be modified (for example, by laying a cable or impact sound insulation) or if visually different panels need to be laid.

[0006] WO 2015 / 070342 A1 describes an extruded decking with a functional surface. Panels of the decking are connected to a substrate using screw connectors.

[0007] DE 10 2018 005 758 A1 discloses a mounting clamp for connecting adjacent decking boards. It is a screwable mounting clamp with gripping hooks, which grip and hold the corresponding panels when the mounting clamp is screwed down.

[0008] JP 2010-065404 A describes a fastening clamp for a floor covering. An expansion element secures the associated flooring components by expanding the elastic fastening clamp. The expansion is triggered by a fastening screw when the floor covering is screwed in place.

[0009] US 2009 / 0217495 A1 describes a concealed mount for a patio decking system. The decking system is pulled onto a substructure using the mount and then secured to the side of a substructure using a screw.

[0010] Holding systems are also known from EP 2 270 290 A1 and KR 2019 0021612 A, the latter having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0011] The object of the invention is to improve the state of the art.

[0012] The object is achieved by a holding system according to claim 1, wherein preferred embodiments of the holding system are defined in the dependent claims.

[0013] The invention is directed to a holding system comprising a fastening device and a plate holder for fixing a cover device to the fastening device, wherein the cover device has a receiving element, with a lever element and a stand device with a resilient locking element, wherein the stand device forms a pivot point of a lever and the lever element and the resilient locking element form two arms of the lever and, in a mounted position, in particular a longitudinal axis of the lever is aligned substantially parallel to the fastening device, with a partially movable, one-sidedly flexible holding element located on the lever element, wherein the holding element is designed to block a tensile force acting on the holding element, so that the holding element prevents the lever element from being lifted and allows the lever element to be moved from the mounted position only in the direction of the fastening device,and the resilient locking element is arranged such that, when the cover device is moved in the direction of the fastening device at a suitable distance from the plate holder, which is arranged in the mounting position, the resilient locking element is initially compressed in the direction of the lever element and, due to blocking, rotation of the stand device forming the pivot point is prevented by the lever element and, upon further movement, the resilient locking element locks into the receiving element in an opposite direction, so that the plate holder is transferred into a holding position and the cover device is fixed on the fastening device, wherein an upper end of the holding element located on the lever element is movable in the direction of the fastening device when pressure is applied to the lever element and the resilient locking element is arranged such thatthat by a pressure effect or a pulling effect on the lever element in the direction of the fastening device, the resilient locking element is levered out of the receiving element by means of a rotation of the lever around the stand device, so that the fixing of the cover device on the fastening device can be reversibly released, wherein the holding element has an asymmetrical thickening at a lower end substantially parallel to the fastening device, so that the holding element introduced into an asymmetrical recess of the fastening device can be anchored by turning it through 90°, or the holding element has a barb at the lower end, so that the holding element can be fastened in a recess in the fastening device by means of blocking.

[0014] Thus, a plate holder is provided which acts as a lever and can be tilted about its pivot point on the stand between a release position and a holding position.

[0015] When the lever element is pressed toward the fastening device, the plate holder is moved from the holding position to the release position, in which the cover device is reversibly released from the fastening device. Thus, before the cover device is secured to the fastening device, the plate holder is in a mounting position and is moved from the mounting position to the holding position by applying the cover device to the fastening device. In the holding position, the plate holder secures the cover device and thus performs its core function.

[0016] By applying pressure to the lever element in the direction of the fastening device, the cover device can be released, moving the plate holder into the release position. In the release position, the cover device can be removed and replaced, for example, with another cover device.

[0017] A core of the invention is thus the design of a plate holder as a lever, so that by pressing the lever element in the direction of the fastening device, the plate holder is moved from a holding position to a release position. By applying a force opposite to the force that moves the plate holder from the holding position to the release position, the plate holder can be moved back into a holding position. This force is preferably applied by a spring action, in particular by designing the lever element as a spring. Thus, releasing the fixing of the cover device is a reversible process, and a different or the same cover device can be fixed again.

[0018] Furthermore, the retaining element is designed to be partially movable. As a result, the lever element can only be moved in the direction of the fastening device from the mounting position, but the lever element cannot be moved in the opposite direction from the mounting position. Thus, during the lowering of the cover device, when the cover device comes into contact with the locking element, the locking element is compressed, and the lever element is not moved in the opposite direction.

[0019] Thus, a plate holder is provided that releases a fixed cover device by applying pressure to the plate holder. In particular, the plate holder can be concealed by an overhanging portion of the cover device, and the assumption of a release position can be made possible only through a hole or gap.

[0020] With the panel holder, both flat and uneven surfaces can be covered using a fixed covering device. For a flat surface, a flat covering device or a flat fastening device can be used. For an uneven surface, either a fastening device that adapts to the surface or is adapted, in particular by means of a bend, or a fastening device that bridges unevenness can be used. This makes it possible, in particular, to cover curved surfaces.

[0021] The fixation created by the plate holder can be quickly established and released, particularly within a few seconds. Furthermore, the release (i.e., the termination of the fixation) of a cover device is possible without damaging the cover device, the plate holder, or the fastening device. This means that all components can, in principle, be reused as often as required.

[0022] Furthermore, both individual cover devices, especially in a central area, and multiple cover devices can be easily removed and reattached on a paneled surface. The panel holder is suitable for securing cover devices to the floor, walls, or ceilings.

[0023] With the appropriate design of the covering system, surfaces can be subjected to both point loads and distributed loads, meaning that covered surfaces can be walked on and, in principle, driven over. This makes the cladding system particularly suitable for use at trade fairs, in shops, in commercial construction, and, with the appropriate design, even outdoors.

[0024] The following terminology is explained:

[0025] A "plate holder" is, in particular, a device suitable for securing plate-shaped objects. A "plate" is understood to mean, in particular, a flat component.

[0026] "Fixation" means fastening, i.e. immobilizing one object in relation to a second object.

[0027] A "covering device" refers specifically to a floor slab. However, the term also encompasses, for example, elements for covering walls, ceilings, vehicles, and other devices and machines.

[0028] A "fastening device" is understood to mean, in particular, a component that connects the covering device to a substrate by means of the plate holder. This substrate can also be walls or ceilings. The fastening device thus fastens or holds the covering device and the plate holder to a substrate.

[0029] A "lever element" can be understood as a component that is part of a lever, whereby the lever can be rotated or tilted around the pivot point.

[0030] The "holding element" specifically prevents the lever element from being removed from the fastening device by pressure from the cover device on the locking element, starting from the mounting position. Only the lever element can be brought closer to the fastening device, i.e., lowered. The holding element, however, prevents the lever element from being raised.

[0031] "Lifting the lever element" is understood, for example, to mean moving the upper end of the retaining element located on the lever element in the opposite direction to the fastening device, i.e., away from the fastening device. The retaining element prevents the lever element from being lifted.

[0032] "Lowering the lever element" or "lowering the retaining element" is understood, for example, to mean moving the upper end of the retaining element located on the lever element toward the fastening device. Lowering of the retaining element is permitted by the retaining element.

[0033] "One-sidedly flexible" means, in particular, that the holding element is designed in such a way that it prevents the lever element from being lifted away from the fastening device when a tensile force is applied to the holding element, whereas an upper end of the holding element located on the lever element can be moved toward the fastening device when pressure is applied to the lever element. Thus, the one-sided flexibility allows the lever element to be lowered, but it does not allow it to be raised. "One-sidedly flexible" is also understood as a synonym for "partially movable."

[0034] "Blocking" means preventing the lever element from moving due to the retaining element. Thus, "blocking" prevents the lever element from being lifted.

[0035] A "movement of the upper end of the holding element located on the lever element in the direction of the fastening device" is understood to mean, in particular, a downward movement if the fastening device is arranged on the floor and the plate holder is arranged on the fastening device and thus further away from the floor.

[0036] "Levering the locking element out of the receiving element" refers to removing the locking element from a locked position in the receiving element. The cover device is therefore no longer fixed to the fastening device as soon as the locking element is no longer locked in the receiving element, i.e., after it has been levered out.

[0037] The "receiving element" is understood in particular to mean a device into which the locking element can snap into place.

[0038] "Moving the cover device toward the fastening device" can also be understood as moving the cover device toward the plate holder, since the plate holder is mounted on the cover device. If the fastening device is arranged on the floor, the cover device is thus moved toward the floor and downwards.

[0039] A "pivot point of a lever" is defined as a point on the support structure around which the lever can be rotated. This point is formed by the lever element, support structure, and locking element. The retaining element can also be considered part of the lever.

[0040] "Parallel to the fastening device" means parallelism when the fastening device is attached to a substrate, in particular the floor or a ceiling.

[0041] A "suitable distance" is understood to mean a distance between the cover device and the locking element which is selected in such a way that the locking element can initially compress when the cover device is lowered and can then rebound into the receiving element when it reaches the receiving element.

[0042] In a further embodiment, the holding system has a plate holder with a further stand device with a further lever element and a further resilient locking element, wherein the further stand device forms a pivot point of a further lever and the lever element and the further resilient locking elements form two arms of the further lever, so that the respective lever element with the respective locking element each forms a lever arm, wherein the respective lever elements are designed to be bendably connected to one another or have a pivot element, so that by bending or pivoting the lever elements both levers can be actuated simultaneously.

[0043] The additional lever allows the locking of two locking elements to be released by pressing the lever element. In contrast, with two separate plate holders, each with a locking element connected to them, pressing two lever elements would be necessary.

[0044] Thanks to the flexible design or the pivoting element, two sections of the lever element can be pushed down simultaneously, and two locking elements can be levered upward at the same time, thus releasing them from their fixation. This further saves material, as only one lever element needs to be used.

[0045] Furthermore, greater stability is made possible in principle because the plate holder not only connects one cover device to the fastening device, but also to a second cover device.

[0046] Thus, one section of the lever element forms a lever with a locking element, whereas another section of the lever element forms a lever with the further locking element.

[0047] Thus, the additional stand device forms another axis of rotation and the lever element as well as the additional spring-loaded locking element form another lever.

[0048] In one embodiment, the plate holder has a mirror axis, so that the locking element and the further locking element are mirror-symmetrical and the stand device is mirror-symmetrical to the further stand device.

[0049] In one embodiment, the lever element is designed as a spring or is connected to a spring element, so that the plate holder is transferred into the holding position by means of the spring force caused by the spring or the spring element.

[0050] In order to anchor the plate holder without additional tools, the holding element according to the invention has an asymmetrical thickening at a lower end substantially parallel to the fastening device, so that the holding element introduced into an asymmetrical recess of the fastening device can be anchored by turning it by 90°, or the holding element has a barb at the lower end, so that the holding element can be fastened in a recess in the fastening device by blocking.

[0051] This means that the retaining element can no longer be pulled out of the recess, but can be pushed further into it if the recess is sufficiently dimensioned. The retaining element is thus designed to block any tensile force acting on it, while an upper end of the retaining element located on the lever element can be moved toward the fastening device when pressure is applied to the lever element.

[0052] An "asymmetrical thickening" is in particular a design of the holding element which allows it to be hooked into a recess with a smaller opening than the recess itself by rotating the holding element with asymmetrical thickening behind an equally asymmetrical opening, so that the holding element behind the opening is thicker than the opening itself and can no longer be pulled out of the opening.

[0053] In order to achieve greater stability or better tiltability, the respective stand device is V-shaped, U-shaped or column-shaped, in particular integrally connected to the respective lever element or the lever elements and the respective locking element.

[0054] Increased stability is made possible in particular by a column-shaped design with a wide base, whereas a V-shaped or U-shaped design enables improved tiltability of the stand.

[0055] In a further embodiment, the plate holder is made of sheet metal or plastic.

[0056] Manufacturing from sheet metal results in high flexibility and stability, whereas manufacturing from plastic results in less technical effort.

[0057] In order to achieve a distance between the plate holder and a surface, according to one embodiment, a fastening device is designed as a rail element made of metal or plastic, wherein the fastening device has a fastening element for fixing a plate holder.

[0058] The gap created by the fastening device allows for the routing of cables underneath the cover. Furthermore, the resulting gap and the resulting air layer provide insulation against heat and sound.

[0059] In a further embodiment, the fastening device is designed as a U-profile, square profile, square tube, plate profile or hexagonal profile.

[0060] The respective shape results in improved hold if the plate holder has a shape corresponding to the fastening device.

[0061] The fastening device can, in particular, have a recess for the holding element or a fastening point, in particular an adhesive point. Furthermore, the fastening device can have recesses that can be connected to a substrate, a wall, or a ceiling using a fixing element.

[0062] The invention will be explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment. Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a floor plate holder and two floor plates in the locked state in a side view, Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional view of the floor plate holder and the floor plates in an open state in a side view, Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the floor plates on two aluminum profiles and Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the floor plate holder and the floor plates and the aluminum profile.

[0063] A plate system 100 comprises a base plate holder 101, base plates 103 and aluminum profiles 125, wherein the plate system 100 serves to fasten the base plates 103 to the aluminum profiles 125 on a planar floor 135 by means of the base plate holder 101.

[0064] The base plate holder 101 is made of bent sheet steel and has a straight lever bar 123 and two tilting feet 117 with locking hooks 119. Two feet 115 are arranged in a central region of the lever bar 123. The feet 115 are cylindrical. The tilting feet 117 have a V-shape, with their tips aligned towards the floor 135 during assembly. The tilting feet 117 each connect the lever bar 123 to one of the locking hooks 119. The lever bar 123 is designed with a material thickness such that it can be bent using a hand tool (e.g., a screwdriver).

[0065] The locking hooks 119 are designed as sheet metal tabs and are aligned parallel to the lever bar 123. The end of the locking hooks 119 forms a locking edge 121.

[0066] During assembly, the feet 115 point with one end toward the floor 135 and are connected to the lever bar 123 at a 90° angle. On an underside facing the floor 135, the feet 115 each have a barb 133, which can be folded in when the feet 115 are inserted into spring holes 127 of corresponding size.

[0067] A longitudinal axis 137 of the base plate holder 101 runs through the two locking hooks 119. After aligning the lever bar 123 parallel to the base 135, a mirror axis 129 of the base plate holder 101 corresponds to a transverse axis and is orthogonal to the planar base 135.

[0068] The floor panel 103 made of fiber-reinforced plastic has a base 109, which can be placed on one of the aluminum profiles 125, and a cover layer 111, wherein the cover layer 111 has a larger surface area than the base 109 and thus projects beyond it. By projecting beyond the cover layer 111, a cavity is formed, which can accommodate approximately half of the floor panel holder 101. The base 109 of the floor panel 103 has a bevel 105 and a groove 107. The bevel 105 runs from a bottom side 139 of the floor panel 103 toward a top side 141 of the floor panel 103, wherein the cover layer 111 lies on the top side 141.

[0069] The ramp 105 extends from the base 135 diagonally upwards, increasing from the inside to the outside, until the ramp 105 is terminated by the groove 107 designed as a notch. This design allows the ramp 105 to act as a barb, since when the floor plate 103 is lowered, the locking hook 119 can initially be retracted away from the floor plate 103 by the ramp 105 and, after exceeding the ramp 105, can be retracted into the groove 107 and locked into place.

[0070] The cover layer 111 projects horizontally beyond the end of the run-on bevel 105. The groove 107 is located between the cover layer 111 and the run-on bevel 105.

[0071] The aluminum profiles 125 are each designed with spring holes 127, which have a size that allows the insertion of a stand 115.

[0072] The functionality of the base plate holder 101 is described below:

[0073] Two aluminum profiles 125 are screwed parallel to each other to the floor 135. One bottom side of the aluminum profiles 125 is directed toward the floor 135, and one top side of the aluminum profiles 125 is directed in the opposite direction.

[0074] The spring holes 127 of the aluminum profiles 125 are aligned with the top side of the aluminum profiles.

[0075] A base plate holder 101 is locked into one of the aluminum profiles 125 by inserting its feet 115 into the designated spring holes 127 of the aluminum profile 125. When inserting a foot 115 into a spring hole 127, the barbs 133 initially fold into the foot 115 and then fold out again after passing through the spring hole 127, so that the foot 115 is locked into the aluminum profile 125. Both feet 115 of the base plate holder 101 are thus locked into the aluminum profile 125, so that the base plate holder 101 is securely anchored in the aluminum profile 125.

[0076] Three additional floor plate holders 101 are anchored in the aforementioned aluminum profile 125 and an adjacent aluminum profile 125 such that another floor plate 103 can be locked in place. The two floor plate holders 101 on the aforementioned aluminum profile 125 are spaced the same distance apart as the two floor plate holders 101 on the adjacent aluminum profile 125.

[0077] A floor panel 103 is held by hand between the four floor panel holders 101 above the aluminum profiles 125 for fastening by means of the floor panel holder 101. The floor panel 103 is rotated such that the groove 107 is aligned transversely to the parallel aluminum profiles 125. The floor panel 103 is then slowly lowered toward the floor 135. During the lowering process, the base 109 is aligned in the direction of the aluminum profiles 125, and the cover layer 111 is in the opposite direction.

[0078] The distance between the run-on bevels 105 on the underside 139 is smaller than the distance between the locking edges 121 on each of the aluminum profiles 125. Thus, the base 109 can be lowered a certain distance between the four base plate holders 101 without the run-on bevel 105 coming into contact with the locking edges 121.

[0079] As the floor plate 103 is further lowered, wider sections of the ramp 105, which increase outward toward the top side 141, contact the locking edges 121 and exert pressure on the locking edges 121. As a result, the locking hook 119 is spring-loaded toward the lever bar 123.

[0080] As soon as the floor plate 103 is lowered far enough that the locking edges 121 have overcome the run-on slope 105, the locking hook 119 with the locking edge 121 springs into the interior of the groove 107 and thus locks the floor plate holder 101 to the floor plate 103.

[0081] By locking the floor plate 103 with four floor plate holders 101, the floor plate 103 is connected at four points to the two aluminum profiles 125. Thus, the floor plate 103 is fixed to the floor 135.

[0082] At a later point in time, the floor panel 103 is to be removed again. To do this, four screwdrivers are each pushed into the gap 113 of the floor panel 103 to be replaced. This causes the screwdrivers to contact the lever bars 123 of the floor panel holders 101, which surround the floor panel 103 to be replaced, and exert a pressing force 143 on the lever bars 123.

[0083] The pressing force 143 pushes the lever beams 123 toward the base 135. The lever beam 123 acts as one arm of a lever arm and moves the tilting feet 117 and locking hooks 119 connected to it toward the center of the base plate holder 101, i.e., in the direction of the mirror axis 129 of the base plate holder 101.

[0084] The locking hook 119 is levered out of the groove 107 by the movement in the direction of the mirror axis 129, so that the locking connection between the base plate holder 101 and the base plate 103 is released by applying the pressing force 143.

[0085] During the application of the pressing force 143, the floor panel 103 to be replaced is no longer fixed to the aluminum profiles 125 by the floor panel holders 101 and is replaced by a new floor panel 103. List of reference symbols

[0086] 100 Panel system 101 Floor panel holder 103 Floor panel 105 Floor panel bevel 107 Floor panel groove 109 Floor panel base 111 Floor panel covering layer 113 Gap between two floor panels 115 Base of the floor panel holder 117 Tilt foot of the floor panel holder 119 Locking hook of the floor panel holder 121 Locking edge of the floor panel holder 123 Lever bar of the floor panel holder 125 Aluminium profile 127 Spring holes of the aluminium profile 129 Mirror axis of the floor panel holder 131 Mirror axis of the floor panel 133 Retractable barb 135 Floor 137 Longitudinal axis of the floor panel holder 139 Underside of the floor panel 141 Top side of the floor panel 143 Press force

Claims

1. A holding system comprising a securing arrangement and a board holder for fixing a cover arrangement (103) on the securing arrangement (125), wherein the cover arrangement (103) has a receiving element (107), wherein the board holder is provided with a lever element (123) and a stand device (117) with a resilient detent element (119), wherein the stand device (117) forms a pivot point (117) of a lever (117, 119, 123) and the lever element (123) and also the resilient detent element (119) form two arms of the lever (117, 119, 123) and in particular in an assembly position a longitudinal axis of the lever (117, 119, 123) is oriented substantially parallel to the securing arrangement (125), characterised by a holding element (115), which is located on the lever element (123), is partially movable and is unidirectionally yielding, wherein the holding element (115) is configured to block (133) a tensile force acting on the holding element (115), so that the holding element (115) prevents a lifting of the lever element (123) and allows movement of the lever element from the assembly position only in the direction of the securing arrangement, and the resilient detent element (119) is arranged in such a way that the resilient detent element (119), when the cover arrangement (103) moves in the direction of the securing arrangement (125) at a suitable distance from the board holder, which is arranged in the assembly position, initially deflects in the direction of the lever element (123) and, on account of a blocking, a rotation about the stand device (117) forming the pivot point is prevented by the holding element, and, as the resilient detent element (119) moves further, latches in the opposite direction in the receiving element (107), so that the board holder is transferred into a holding position and the cover arrangement (103) is fixed on the securing arrangement (125), wherein an upper end of the holding element (123) located on the lever element (123), when pressure is applied to the lever element (123), is movable in the direction of the securing arrangement (125) and the resilient detent element (119) is arranged in such a way that, as a result of a pressure effect or a tension effect on the lever element (123) in the direction of the securing arrangement (125), the resilient detent element (119) is levered by means of a rotation of the lever (117, 119, 123) about the stand device (117) from the receiving element (107), so that the fixing of the cover arrangement (103) on the securing arrangement (125) is reversibly releasable, wherein the holding element (115) has, at a lower end, an asymmetrical thickening (133) substantially parallel to the securing arrangement (125), so that the holding element (115) introduced into an asymmetrical recess (127) in the securing arrangement (125) is anchorable by rotation through 90°, or the holding element (115) has a barb at the lower end, so that the holding element (115) is securable in a recess (127) in the securing arrangement (125) by means of a blocking.

2. The holding system according to claim 1, characterised by a board holder having a further stand device (117), a further lever element (123), and a further resilient detent element (119), wherein the further stand device (117) forms a pivot point (117) of a further lever (117, 119, 123) and the lever element (123) and also the further resilient detent element (119) form two arms of the further lever (117, 119, 123), so that the respective lever element (123) with the respective resilient detent element (119) in each case forms a lever arm, wherein the respective lever elements (123) are flexibly connected to one another or have a pivot joint element, so that both levers are actuatable simultaneously by means of a bending or pivoting of the lever elements (123).

3. The holding system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the stand device (117) of the board holder is V-shaped or U-shaped or column-shaped and in particular is connected in one piece to the respective lever element (123) or the lever elements (123) and the respective detent element (119).

4. The holding system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the board holder is manufactured from a sheet metal or a plastic.

5. The holding system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the securing arrangement (125) is embodied as a rail element made of metal or plastic with a securing element (127) for fixing a board holder (101).

6. The holding system according to claim 5, characterised in that the securing arrangement (125) is embodied as a U-profile, square profile, square pipe, board profile or hexagon profile.

7. The holding system according to any one of preceding claims 5 or 6, characterised by a cover arrangement (103) which has a receiving element (107), so that the cover arrangement is fixable by means of the board holder (101).