Bracing accessory for the lining of a wall, comprising jaws for clamping a membrane

Abstract

The bracing accessory comprises: - a rod (12) extending in an axial direction, one end of which is provided with means (13, 18) for its attachment to the structural element of the wall to be doubled and the other end of which is provided with means (19, 25) for its assembly with the lining frame (6, 7) - two jaws (19, 34) surrounding the rod (12) - locking means with axial clamping (21, 25, 35) of these two jaws against each other.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the lining of walls for insulation or aesthetic purposes. More particularly, it relates to a bracing accessory placed transversely between the wall to be lined and a lining partition to maintain the latter at a distance from the wall to be lined. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] Lining a surface such as a wall, ceiling, or roof of a building is frequently practiced, in both renovation and new construction, to achieve or improve the acoustic or thermal insulation of the building or a specific room. For this purpose, a lining partition (counter-partition or false ceiling) is attached to a lining framework, which is itself fixed to structural elements of the wall being lined, at a specified distance from it. A thermal and / or acoustic insulation layer (often called an insulation assembly) is inserted between the wall being lined and the lining partition.

[0003] The insulation lining typically includes, on the one hand, one or more layers of fibrous insulating material such as mineral wool and, on the other hand, at least one windproof or vapor barrier membrane. This membrane is most often sandwiched between the layer of fibrous material and the wall lining, typically attached to the wall, and possibly sandwiched between two layers of fibrous material.

[0004] The lining frame is attached to the structural elements of the wall being lined by means of regularly spaced bracing accessories. Each bracing accessory comprises a main rod-shaped body extending transversely between the wall being lined and the lining partition, one end of which is provided for cantilevered attachment to a structural element of the wall being lined, and the other end of which is provided for assembly with the lining frame. Such a bracing accessory is, for example, described in document WO2006 / 061538.

[0005] During installation, the insulation is impaled on the rods of the bracing accessories, resulting in multiple punctures of the fibrous material layers and, where applicable, the membrane. This puncture is particularly damaging to membranes, as it compromises their sealing function, whether permanent or selective. Furthermore, the membrane puncture can initiate a tear that may propagate if tension is applied to the membrane.

[0006] To partially avoid this problem, it is known to place the membrane on the inside of the lining frame, between the frame and the lining partition. This way, the membrane is not penetrated by the spacer accessory and can therefore remain intact, at least initially.

[0007] This solution is, however, only partial. Fixing the lining partition to the lining frame involves piercing the membrane with the fasteners (staples, screws, nails, etc.), which impairs, albeit to a lesser extent, the membrane's airtightness.

[0008] Positioning the membrane in front of the wall framing raises another technical problem: it leaves no gap between the membrane and the wall framing. However, it is often necessary to insert various cables or pipes behind the wall framing, particularly for water, ventilation, electricity, or communication systems. It is therefore difficult to consider placing the cables and wiring accessories between the membrane and the wall framing. The cables could only be properly secured through openings in the membrane. Furthermore, the membrane would risk being damaged or stretched by the cables or any sheathing, fastening, or connection accessories.

[0009] These cables can indeed be placed behind the membrane. However, access for maintenance or upgrades to the cabling system then becomes impossible without removing the membrane or creating an opening. Furthermore, due to logistical reasons or evolving needs or technologies, cabling operations may take place after the wall lining has been installed, which also necessitates removing or opening the membrane by personnel who are generally not specialists in wall lining and insulation. SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0010] One aim of the present invention is to offer another technical solution allowing both the long-term preservation of the integrity of the membrane and the reservation of an easily accessible volume, behind the lining partition, for the wiring.

[0011] To this end, the invention proposes a bracing accessory according to claim 1. After locking, the two jaws clamp the periphery of the membrane's insertion opening onto the rod, thus forming a kind of protective eyelet that limits the size of this opening. The width of the opening is thereby controlled, which makes it possible to limit, or even eliminate, the circulation of air or vapor through the membrane's insertion opening. Furthermore, the jaws provide mechanical support for the membrane, which in particular helps prevent the membrane from tearing. A wall lining device may include at least one bracing accessory comprising a rod, one end of which is provided with means for its attachment to a structural element of the wall to be doubled and the other end of which is provided with means for its assembly with a lining partition, a wind barrier, vapor barrier or vapor retarder membrane to be impaled on the rods of the bracing accessories.

[0012] At least one of the bracing accessories conforms to the aforementioned characteristics, its two jaws pinching together, after locking, the membrane at the periphery of its relevant insertion opening.

[0013] The membrane is held in place by the jaws of the bracing accessories behind the lining framework, advantageously at a distance from the lining wall. This creates a free space between the lining wall and the membrane, allowing for the installation of wiring or equipment without damaging the membrane.

[0014] Other non-limiting and advantageous features of the bracing accessory according to the invention are as follows: It includes means for ensuring a seal between at least one of the jaws and the rod; this makes it possible to maintain a continuous seal of the membrane in the area through which the bracing rod passes, in the manner of a stuffing box; the jaws, after locking, have a continuous and self-enclosed area (line or band) of mutual contact; the membrane is thus pinched along this contact area circumscribing the penetration of the membrane, so that continuous mechanical retention and sealing are obtained around the entire perimeter of the insertion opening; the jaw locking means include means for axially elastic return of the jaws against each other; the elastic return means consist of an inherent elasticity of at least one of the jaws, the locking means operating under the constraint of said inherent elasticity;It includes mechanical linkage means for connecting at least one of the jaws to the rod, providing axial immobilization of the jaws; these mechanical linkage means advantageously coincide with the locking means and comprise, on the one hand, an axial stop arranged on the rod to oppose the indentation of the jaw closest to the wall to be doubled in the direction of the latter and, on the other hand, an axial counter-stop with which the other jaw can be engaged under the constraint of the elastic return means and which is arranged on the rod to oppose, after engagement, the withdrawal force of this other jaw exerted by the elastic return means; According to the invention, the means for fixing the rod to the lining frame are at least partially provided on at least one of the jaws. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PROJECT EXAMPLE

[0015] The following description, with regard to the attached drawings, given by way of non-limiting example, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be carried out.

[0016] Regarding the attached drawings: there figure 1 is a perspective view, with a cutaway view, of the interior of the attic of a building whose roof is insulated by means of a lining device according to the invention; the figure 2 is a cross-sectional view in a vertical plane, transverse to the roof purlins and cutting through the bracing accessories according to the invention; the figure 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view in a vertical plane transverse to the stringers and cutting through the bracing accessories according to the invention; the figure 4 is a detailed plan view of the rear end of the shank of the insertion accessory, equipped with a plurality of breakable fixing plates.

[0017] The overall aim is to install interior insulation on the walls of a building. In the example illustrated by the figure 1 , it is more specifically about insulating the attic of a building and, for this purpose, doubling an exterior wall 1 and a roof 2 of this building.

[0018] The roof 2 here classically comprises a wooden frame made up of purlins 3 supporting rafters 4 on which rest roofing elements 5.

[0019] A lining device, according to the invention, is attached to the roof frame and the exterior wall. This lining device comprises a lining framework, consisting of horizontal battens 6 for lining the roof and vertical battens 7 for lining the wall 1. These battens are commonly called furring strips.

[0020] The lining battens 6 and 7 are respectively fixed to structural elements of the roof 2 and the wall 1 to be lined by means of a plurality of bracing accessories 10, 11.

[0021] In reference to the figures 1 à 3 Each bracing accessory 10, 11 comprises a rod 12, one end of which, referred to as the rear end, is provided with means for its cantilevered attachment to the roof 2 or the wall 1, and the other end, referred to as the front end, is provided with means for its assembly with the batten 6, 7 which the accessory secures. During assembly, the rod 12 is positioned to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the roof 2 or the wall 1.

[0022] The bracing accessories 10, also called hangers, are used to reinforce the roof and are attached to the rafters 4. Each hanger has a longitudinal fixing plate 13 attached to the rear end of the rod 12 and screwed to the side of the relevant rafter 4. The bracing accessories 11 are attached to the wall 1 by means of a transverse fixing plate 18 attached to the rear end of the rod and screwed to the wall 1.

[0023] According to an advantageous characteristic, illustrated by the figure 4 The spacer accessory 10 comprises, before assembly, a series of mounting plates extending along the axial direction of the rod 12, in line with it. In this case, three plates are distinguished: plate 13 and two other plates 14 and 15. Any device comprising more than three plates or equivalent means, particularly those featuring twelve to fifteen holes, is conceivable.

[0024] Breakable zones 16 and 17 are provided between the plates. These zones offer reduced mechanical resistance to bending around the direction of the slats 6, allowing the plates 14 or 15 to be detached by manually forcing them to bend or using wire cutters, in order to adjust the desired length. This adaptability makes it possible, in particular, to reduce the number of accessory references to be manufactured and distributed and to avoid ordering or delivery errors which, if discovered late on the construction site, delay the progress of the work.

[0025] Each bracing accessory thus has an overall length (corresponding to the distance between its extreme points along its longitudinal direction) typically between 200 and 350 millimeters when it is equipped with all its fixing plates and between 80 and 150 millimeters when only the last fixing plate remains.

[0026] Alternatively, the bracing accessory comprises a single plate, for example tongue-shaped, with multiple longitudinal markings, preferably screw holes, to indicate the accessory's fixing position on the rafter. Lines of weakness facilitating breakability, or other markings, can advantageously delineate breakable areas.

[0027] As illustrated by the figures 2 And 3 The front end of the rod 12 is equipped with means for its assembly with the corresponding batten, which in this case is the horizontal roofing batten 6. These assembly means include a cap 19, referred to here as a key, attached to the front end of the rod 12.

[0028] Mechanical means of linking this cap with the rod 12 oppose, after engagement, its withdrawal forward but allow its pivoting at least partially around the rod 12.

[0029] In this case, these mechanical fastening means operate like a clip. An annular groove 25 is formed on the front end of the rod 12 and has a rear flank 26 and a front flank 27 forming axial stops. The cap 19 has a central opening 20 for insertion on the front end of the rod 12. A constriction 21 is formed in this central opening so that it can be forcefully engaged, like a clip, with the groove 25, after passing a resistance point. This resistance point is formed by a conical collar 28 formed in front of the groove 25 to create a ratcheting ramp.

[0030] The assembly means finally include means for clipped sliding connection of the hat 19 with the slats 6, 7.

[0031] Each slat 6, 7 is here made in the form of a metal profile, or furring strip, with a C-shaped cross-section having inward-pointing edges 8, pointing towards each other to engage like a clip in an associated notch 22 of the cap 19. To facilitate the snapping of the edges 8 of the slat into the notches 22, the cap 19 has a convex front face acting like a ramp to force the elastic separation of the arms of the slats.

[0032] The stem 12 of each bracing accessory 10, 11 is made of plastic material, along with the mounting plates 13, 14, 15 and the groove 25. The cap 19 is made in the same way. Typically, a polymer or copolymer such as a polyamide can be used for both the stem 12 and the cap 19.

[0033] A lining partition 30, composed of facing panels of the type BA 13 plasterboard, are added and fixed by screws or rivets against the lining lath formed by the laths 6, 7.

[0034] A thermal and / or acoustic insulation lining is inserted between the wall to be lined (wall 1 and roof 2) and the lining partition 30. This lining comprises a thick layer 31 of fibrous insulating material such as mineral wool, of animal or vegetable origin. This layer 31 consists of a series of insulating panels or felt strips impaled on the rods 12 of the bracing accessories 10, 11. These insulating panels or felts are usually available in thicknesses of 65, 75, 85, 100, 200 or 240 millimeters.

[0035] The insulation lining of said lining system further includes a windproof, vapor-barrier or vapor-retardant membrane 32 extended against the thick insulating layer 30, between the latter and the battens 6, 7, and impaled for this purpose on the rods of the bracing accessories 10, 11. This membrane is, for example, of the hygro-regulating type, having a water vapor permeance that varies according to the ambient humidity, such as those described in documents FR2884843 and WO96 / 33321. The thickness of this type of membrane is typically between 5 and 100 micrometers.

[0036] The entire insulation assembly, with its layer of fibrous material and its membrane, is commonly called an insulation assembly. It may, alternatively, consist of several layers of fibrous material and several membranes.

[0037] The membrane 32 is, by virtue of its impalement on the rods 12, perforated around each bracing accessory 10, 11 and means are provided, according to the invention, for restoring and maintaining the integrity of the windproof, vapor barrier or vapor retarder function of this membrane.

[0038] Each bracing accessory has for this purpose two annular jaws surrounding the rod and locking means with axial clamping of these two jaws against each other, its two jaws pinching between each other, after locking, the membrane 32 at the periphery of its relevant insertion opening.

[0039] It is observed that this pinching occurs on a continuous, self-enclosed area of ​​mutual contact. This contact area is, in this case, like the jaws, annular. However, alternative jaw shapes could be used, forming a complete loop of any shape other than circular within their area of ​​mutual contact—for example, polygonal, oval, etc.

[0040] One of these two jaws is in this case constituted by the cap 19 clipped onto the front end of the rod 12. The cap 19 therefore performs two functions: a function of assembling the slats 6, 7 with the spacer accessory 10, 11 for fixing the lining lath and a palliative function of pinching or "sandwiching" the membrane 32 to contain and close its insertion opening.

[0041] The other jaw consists of a washer 34 having a central opening 35, the edge of which is clipped into the locking groove 25 of the rod 12. This washer 34 is conical in shape and is capable of elastic deformation to flatten. This inherent elasticity of the washer 34 is similar to that of the rear face 23 of the cap 19. In this case, it is made of metal, for example mild and stainless steel, but it could also be made of plastic, like the cap 19, or of a different plastic material.

[0042] During assembly, the washer 34 is fitted onto the rod 12 of the spacer accessory 10, 11 after the thick insulating layer 31 has been impaled on the rod 12. The washer 34 is pressed in to pass through the collar 28 of the rod 12 and is then positioned in front of the layer 31, the edge of its central opening 35 bearing against the rear side 26 of the locking groove 25.

[0043] The membrane 32 is then impaled on the end of the rod 12 and pressed against the washer 34 and the layer 31.

[0044] The cap 19 is then press-fitted onto the end of the rod 12 and compresses the diaphragm 32 against the washer 34. This press-fitting is achieved by force, and the constriction 21 of the cap 19 overcomes the hard point marked by the collar 28. The washer 14, which is initially conical and whose periphery is pushed back by the flat rear face 23 of the cap 19, deforms against its own elasticity to flatten and, together with the cap 19, pinch the diaphragm 32 around its insertion opening. When the cap 19 is properly clipped onto the end of the rod 12, the diaphragm 32 is pinched by the washer 34 and the cap 19 with a constant and predetermined pinching pressure, with compensation for any play.

[0045] The cap 19 and the washer 34 are axially immobilized in the annular groove 25 and the membrane 32 is thus held by the cap 19 and the washer 34 of the bracing accessories 10, 11, behind the battens 6, 7, at a distance from the lining partition 30. A free space is thus provided between the lining partition and the membrane and it is then possible to install cables, pipes or equipment in this space without damaging the membrane.

[0046] As an alternative not shown, instead of a clip assembly system, it may be provided that the cap 19 cooperates with the front end of the rod 12 by means of a screw assembly system or even of the bayonet type.

[0047] In the case of an assembly by a quarter-turn locking system of the bayonet type, the cap 19 enjoys an axial movement, under the constraint of the elastic return exerted by the washer 34. An anti-rotation stop is provided on the rod 12 to oppose the untimely disengagement of the quarter-turn locking system and to be able to be crossed only by the aforementioned elastic axial movement.

[0048] Finally, means can also be provided to ensure a seal between at least one of the jaws of the said bracing accessory and its rod.

Claims

1. Spacing accessory adapted for fixing lining studwork (6, 7) to a structural element of a wall (1, 2) that is to be lined, comprising a shank (12) adapted to accept an air barrier, vapor barrier or vapor-retarder barrier membrane (32) to be speared onto it, the said shank extending in a direction referred to as axial and comprising a rear end provided with means (13-15, 18) for fixing it to the structural element of the wall that is to be lined and another front end provided with means (19, 25) for assembling it with the lining studwork (6, 7), characterized in that it comprises two claws (19, 34) surrounding the shank (12) and means (21, 25, 35) of locking these two claws against one another with axial clamping, the claws (19, 34) after they have been locked, being adapted to clamp the said air barrier, vapor barrier or vapor-retarder barrier membrane (32) between them at the periphery of the opening via which it has been speared, and in that said means of securing the shank to the lining studwork are at least partially formed on at least one of the claws (19) intended to be situated at the front of the membrane (32) when the latter is clamped between the claws (19, 34), so that the membrane (32) is adapted for being held by the claws behind the lining studwork (6, 7), and the rear end of the shank (12) being equipped with a longitudinal fixing plate (13) adapted to be screwed to the flank of a rafter (4).

2. Accessory according to the preceding claim, in which the claws (19, 34) after locking have a zone of mutual contact that is continuous and closed on itself.

3. Accessory according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the means of locking the claws (19, 34) comprise means (34) for axially elastically returning the claws (19, 34) against one another.

4. Accessory according to Claim 3, in which the elastic return means consist of inherent elasticity of at least one (34) of the claws, the locking means (25, 21) working under the stress of said inherent elasticity.

5. Accessory according to one of Claims 1 to 4, comprising means of mechanical connection (21, 25, 35) of at least one of the claws (19, 34) to the shank (12) thereof, axially immobilizing the claws.

6. Accessory according to Claims 3 and 5, in which the mechanical connection and locking means comprise, on the one hand, an axial end stop (26) arranged on the shank (12) to prevent the claw (34) closest to the wall (1, 2) that is to be lined from being pushed in any further toward this wall and, on the other hand, an opposing axial end stop (27) with which the other claw (19) can engage under the stress of the elastic return means (34) and which is arranged on the shank (12) in such a way that, after engagement, it opposes the retraction force of this other claw (19) applied by the elastic return means (34).

7. Accessory according to one of the preceding claims, in which said securing means comprise means of sliding clip-fastening connection of said at least one claw (19) with a batten, especially a notch (22) formed on the claw (19) and adapted for receiving re-entrant edges (8) of the batten in the manner of a clip.

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