Connection system for connecting building elements comprising a male and female profile

Abstract

A system for releasably connecting a wall panel (30) to a wall, floor, ceiling, or to another wall panel (30), the system comprising a female profile (1) and a male profile (2). The male profile (1) comprises a first web (21) for insertion into a channel (11) of the female profile (1) and an attachment flange (25) connected to the first web (21). The first web (21) is provided on a side with one or more longitudinally extending grooves (27) for establishing a releasable snap-fit connection with a ridge (17) of the female profile (1). The female profile (1) defines a channel (11) between first and second sidewalls (12,13), the channel (11) defines an opening, a first attachment flange (15) to the first sidewall (12), and a release flange (16) is connected to the second sidewall (13). The second sidewall (13) is provided at the opening with a ridge (17) protruding into the channel (11) for establishing a releasable snap-fit connection with a groove (27) in the first web of male profile (2).

Description

[0001] CONNECTION SYSTEM FOR CONNECTING BUILDING ELEMENTS COMPRISING A MALE AND FEMALE PROFILE

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The disclosure relates to male and female profiles for connecting building elements, such as wall panels, or other building elements, such as walls, ceilings, floors, or other wall panels, and to assist in comprising male and female profiles.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] There are known systems comprising profiles, such as aluminum or steel profiles, for connecting building elements, e.g. inner wall plates, using snap-fit or similar types of connections. Such snap-fit construction allows for quick installation since the profiles can be connected to one another in one step without requiring any tools. However, once connected, the profiles cannot be released without damaging or destructing the profiles and / or the building elements involved, thereby not allowing the profiles to be reused, e.g. when an inner wall arrangement is remodeled.

[0006] US9181713 discloses a profile according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] It is an object to provide profiles and a system for connecting building elements that are both effective and easy to install and can be just as easily released without damaging or destructing the profiles. The foregoing and other objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further implementation forms are apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the figures.

[0009] According to a first aspect, there is provided a female profile for releasably connecting to a female profile for releasably connecting to a male profile for connecting a building element such as a wall panel to another building element, such as a wall, floor, ceiling, or another wall panel, the female profile defining a channel between first and second sidewalls, the first and second sidewalls being connected at the bottom of the channel by a bridging web, the channel defining an opening opposite to the bottom, the second sidewall being provided at or near the opening with a ridge protruding into the channel for establishing a snap-fit connection with a groove in the male profile, comprising a first attachment flange connected at or near the opening at an angle to the first sidewall and extending away from the channel, and a release flange connected at or near the opening at an angle to the second sidewall and extending away from the channel, wherein the female profile is configured to flex when a force F parallel to the second sidewall and directed towards the bottom is applied to the release flange thereby increasing the width w of the opening.

[0010] By providing a female profile with a channel that has a ridge extending into the opening, the resilience of the female profile can be used to allow the width of the opening to widen when the web of the male profile is inserted into the channel, allowing the web of the male profile to be received into the channel, and the same resilience allows subsequently for the width of the opening to reduce to engage the groove in the web of the male profile. For releasing the male profile, the female profile can be flexed to increase the width of the opening by applying a force onto the release flange, at least a component of this force being parallel with the second sidewall and directed towards the bottom. Due to the increased width of the opening, the ridge of the female profile disengages from the groove in the male profile and the male and female profile can be disconnected from one another without damaging or destructing either profile.

[0011] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the female profile is configured to flex when a force F parallel to the second sidewall and directed towards the bottom is applied to the release flange thereby increasing the width w of the opening to release said snap-fit connection.

[0012] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the female profile is configured to flex when a force F parallel to the second sidewall and directed towards the bottom is applied to the release flange thereby increasing the width w of the opening to release said snap-fit connection without damaging said female profile and said a release flange.

[0013] The bridging web at the bottom of the channel is a part of the resilient properties of the female profile, that allows the female profile to flex and thereby adjust the width of the opening. In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the first attachment flange comprises attachment elements for attaching the female profile to a wall, floor, ceiling, or another wall panel, the attachment elements preferably comprising an array of longitudinally spaced openings through the attachment flange allowing fasteners to extend through the attachment flange. The fasteners can be screws or similar fasting elements.

[0014] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the female profile is an extruded profile, preferably a metal profile or plastic profile, the extruded metal profile preferably being a steel alloy profile or an aluminum alloy profile.

[0015] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the first attachment flange is connected to the first sidewall at a substantially right angle.

[0016] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the release flange is connected to the second sidewall at a substantially right angle.

[0017] According to a second aspect, there is provided a male profile for releasably connecting to a female profile for connecting a building element such as a wall panel to another building element, such as a wall, floor, ceiling, or another wall panel. The male profile comprises a first web for insertion into a channel of the female profile, at least one second attachment flange connected at an angle to the first web, the first web being provided on at least one side with one or more longitudinally extending grooves for establishing a releasable snap-fit connection with a ridge of the female profile.

[0018] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the second attachment flange comprises attachment elements for attaching the male profile to a wall, floor, ceiling, or to another wall panel, the attachment elements preferably comprising an array of longitudinally spaced openings through the second attachment flange allowing fasteners to extend through the attachment flange. The fasteners can be screws or the like.

[0019] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the first web is provided on at least one side with a plurality of preferably regularly spaced longitudinally extending grooves for establishing a releasable snap-fit connection with the ridge of the female profile. Thus, the first web can engage a snap-fit connection with the ridge of the female profile at various levels of penetration of the first web into the channel.

[0020] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the male profile comprises a second web, the second web extending at an angle to the first web, preferably at a 180° angle, and the second web being provided on at least one side with one or more longitudinally extending grooves for establishing a releasable snap-fit connection with a ridge of the female profile.

[0021] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the male profile s an extruded profile, preferably a metal profile or plastic profile, the extruded metal profile preferably being a steel alloy profile or an aluminum alloy profile.

[0022] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the second attachment flange is proximately connected to the first web, and another oppositely directed second attachment flange is proximately connected to the first web, preferably to form a profile with a T-shaped cross-section.

[0023] According to a third aspect, there is provided a system for releasably connecting to a connecting a wall panel to a wall, floor, ceiling or to another wall panel, the system comprising a female profile according to the first aspect or any possible implementations thereof and a male profile according to the second aspect or any possible implementations thereof.

[0024] These and other aspects will be apparent from and the embodiment(s) described below.

[0025] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In the following detailed portion of the present disclosure, the aspects, embodiments, and implementations will be explained in more detail with reference to the example embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:

[0027] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a male profile and a female profile that are not in engagement,

[0028] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the male profile and the female profile of Fig. 1 in engagement,

[0029] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the female profile of figure 1, in which flexing of the female profile to widen the opening of the channel under application of a force is schematically illustrated,

[0030] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a male profile and the female profile that are not in engagement, with the male profile attached to one building element and the female profile attached to another building element,

[0031] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment, in which two female profiles are connected to two different building elements, and a male profile that is provided with two oppositely directed webs for engaging the two female profiles,

[0032] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the embodiment of Fig. 5, and

[0033] Fig. 7 is an elevated view of another embodiment of a male and female profile, in which the female profile is provided with additional sidewalls and a locking member.

[0034] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Fig. 1 illustrates a system for releasably connecting a wall panel 30 or the like to a wall, floor, ceiling, or to another wall panel 30. The system comprises an elongated female profile 1 and an elongated male profile 2. These profiles are sometimes referred to as rails. The female profile 1 and the male profile 2 are preferably extruded profiles, preferably a metal profile or plastic profile. The extruded metal profile is preferably a steel alloy profile or an aluminum alloy profile. In Fig. 1, the female and male profiles 1 and 2 are shown when they are not in engagement, and in Fig. 2 the female and male profiles 1 and 2 are shown in a connected state, a web 21 of the male profile releasably inserted into a channel 11 of the female profile 1.

[0036] The female profile 1 defines a channel 11 between first and second, preferably parallel, sidewalls 12,13. The first and second sidewalls 12,13 are connected at the bottom of channel 11 by a bridging web 14. Channel 11 defines an opening with a width w opposite to the bottom. The bridging web 14 gives the female profile 1 a resiliency that enables the width w of the opening to be varied. A first attachment flange 15 is connected at or near the opening at a preferably right angle to the first sidewall 12 and extends away from channel 11. A release flange 16 is connected at or near the opening at a preferably right angle to the second sidewall 13 and extends away from the channel. The second sidewall 13 is provided at or near the opening with a ridge 17 protruding into channel 11 for establishing a releasable snap-fit connection with a groove 27 in a male profile 2. In an embodiment, ridge 17 extends the complete length of the female profile 1. In another embodiment, the ridge is interrupted, preferably regularly interrupted along the length of the female profile 1.

[0037] The first attachment flange 15 is provided with attachment elements 19 for attaching the female profile 1 to a wall, floor, ceiling, or to a wall panel 30. The attachment elements 19 preferably comprise an array of longitudinally spaced openings (bores) 19 through the attachment flange 15 allowing fasteners such as screws to extend through the attachment flange 15 into the wall panel 30. The male profile 2 comprises a first web 21 for insertion into channel 11 of the female profile 1 and at least one second attachment flange 25 is proximally connected at an angle, preferably a right angle to the first web 21. The first web 21 is provided on at least one side with one or more longitudinally extending grooves 27 for establishing a releasable snap-fit connection with a ridge 17 of the female profile 1.

[0038] Preferably, the groove or grooves 27 extend along the full length of the male profile 2.

[0039] The second attachment flange 25 comprises attachment elements 29 for attaching the male profile 2 to a building element, such as a wall, floor, ceiling, or wall panel 30. In an embodiment, the attachment elements 29 comprise an array of (preferably regular) longitudinally spaced openings 29 through the second attachment flange 25 allowing fasteners, such as screws, to extend through the attachment flange 25 into the building element.

[0040] The first web 21 is provided on at least one side with a plurality of preferably regularly spaced longitudinally extending grooves 27 for establishing a releasable snap-fit connection with the ridge 17 of the female profile 1.

[0041] Another second attachment flange 25 is also proximately connected to the first web 21, oppositely directed to the second attachment flange 25 to form a profile with a T-shaped cross-section. As illustrated in Fig. 3 by the interrupted lines, the female profile 1 is configured to flex when a force F parallel to the second sidewall 13 and directed towards the bottom is applied to the release flange 16 thereby increasing the width (w) of the opening. The straight interrupted line illustrates the configuration of the female profile 1 when no load is applied to the releasing flange 16, and the curved interrupted line illustrates the configuration of the female profile 1 when a force F is applied to the releasing flange 16. The arrow d illustrates the direction of the deformation when the force F is applied to the releasing flange 16. The deformation increases the width w sufficiently to disengage the ridge 17 from the groove(s) 27 in the male profile 2 without damaging or distracting any of the profiles. Since the female profile 1 is resilient, it will flex back to its original shape when the force F is no longer applied to the releasing flange 16.

[0042] The groove 27 has a shape and size that matches the shape and size of the edge 17. Preferably, the cross-section of either or both the groove 27 and the edge 17 are rounded to facilitate insertion / retraction of the first web 21 into and out of channel 11.

[0043] The height of ridge 17 is selected in relation to the width of channel 11, in relation to the resiliency of the female profile 1, and in relation to the load that the snap-fit connection is required to withstand and can be determined by simple trial and error. The depth of groove 27 is preferably slightly in excess of the height of ridge 17. Fig. 4 shows the female profile 1 and male profile 2 attached to the respective building elements 30. The building elements are preferably provided with a groove that matches the respective male or female profile 2, 1 so that they are essentially countersunk in the surface of the building element 30. The groove in the building element that receives the female profile 1, is provided with a deeper groove that is dimensioned to receive a portion of the female profile surrounding the channel alone. Further, the groove in the building element 30 is dimensioned such that there is a gap 32 between the surface of the building element 30 facing the releasing flange 16 and the opposing surface of the releasing flange 16, to give the releasing flange 16 space to be pushed downward by an operator for releasing a connection between the male and female profile 1,2. Preferably, the width of the portion of the groove in the building element 30 that surrounds the walls 12, 13 is also sized and shaped with a gap allowing the female profile 1 to flex when an operator pushes the releasing flange 16 towards the building element 30 in which it is received in order to release the connection between the female and male profiles 1,2.

[0044] Fig. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the male profile 2, shown together with two female profiles 1 which are each attached to a wall panel 30. In this embodiment, structures and features that are the same or similar to corresponding structures and features previously described or shown herein are denoted by the same reference numeral as previously used for simplicity. The male profile 2 comprises a second web 21'. The second web 21' extends opposite to the first web 21, i.e. at a 180° angle. The second web 21' is provided on a least one side with one or more longitudinally extending grooves (21') for establishing a releasable snap-fit connection with a ridge (17) of the female profile 1. The male profile 2 connects the first and second web 21, 21'.

[0045] Fig. 6 shows a variation of the embodiment of Fig. 5, with a different outline of the profile that connects the first and second web 21, 21'.

[0046] Fig. 7 is an elevated view of another embodiment of a male and female profile 1,2, in which the female profile 1 is provided with additional sidewalls and a locking member 40. In this embodiment, structures and features that are the same or similar to corresponding structures and features previously described or shown herein are denoted by the same reference numeral as previously used for simplicity. In this embodiment, the male profile 2 is provided with grooves 27 on both sides of the first web 21, and the female profile 1 is provided with two release flanges 16 on opposing sides of the channel 11, with two ridges 17, that protrude into the opening of the channel from opposite sides. The release flanges 16 are connected at a right angle to two sidewalls 14, 18 to allow an operator to squeeze sidewalls 14, 80 together at a deposition distal from the opening to flex the female profile 1 and thereby increase the width of the opening of the channel 11. When the locking member 40 is inserted between the sidewalls 14, 18, squeezing of the sidewalls 14,18 at the distal position is prevented and the female profile 1 prevents the release of the male profile 2 by the two ridges 17 engaging the grooves 27 on opposing sides of the first web 21. The various aspects and implementations have been described in conjunction with various embodiments herein. However, other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed sub ect-matter, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0047] The reference signs used in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read (e.g., cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportion, degree, etc.) together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this disclosure. As used in the description, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "left", "right", "up" and "down", as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally", "rightwardly", "upwardly", etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader. Similarly, the terms "inwardly" and "outwardly" generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A female profile (1) for releasably connecting to a male profile (2) for connecting a building element such as a wall panel (30) to another building element, such as a wall, floor, ceiling, or another wall panel (30), the female profile (1) defining a channel (11) between first and second sidewalls (12,13), the first and second sidewalls (12,13) being connected at the bottom of the channel (11) by a bridging web (14), the channel (11) defining an opening opposite to the bottom, the second sidewall (13) being provided at or near the opening with a ridge (17) protruding into the channel (11) for establishing a snap-fit connection with a groove (27) in the male profile (2), characterized by comprising a first attachment flange (15) connected at or near the opening at an angle to the first sidewall (12) and extending away from the channel (11), and a release flange (16) connected at or near the opening at an angle to the second sidewall (13) and extending away from the channel (11), wherein the female profile (1) is configured to flex when a force (F) parallel to the second sidewall (13) and directed towards the bottom is applied to the release flange (16) thereby increasing the width (w) of the opening.

2. A female profile (1) according to claim 1, wherein the female profile (1) is configured to flex when a force (F) parallel to the second sidewall (13) and directed towards the bottom is applied to the release flange (16) thereby increasing the width (w) of the opening to release said snap- fit connection.

3. A female profile (1) according to claim 1, wherein the female profile (1) is configured to flex when a force (F) parallel to the second sidewall (13) and directed towards the bottom is applied to the release flange (16) thereby increasing the width (w) of the opening to release said snap- fit connection without damaging said female profile (1) and said a release flange (16).

4. A female profile (1) according to any one of claims 1 to3, wherein the first attachment flange (15) comprises attachment elements (19) for attaching the female profile (1) to a wall, floor, ceiling, or to a wall panel (30), the attachment elements (19) preferably comprise an array of longitudinally spaced openings (19) through the attachment flange (15) allowing fasteners to extend through the attachment flange (15).

5. A female profile (1) according to any one of claims 1 to4, wherein the female profile (1) is an extruded profile, preferably a metal profile or plastic profile, the extruded metal profile preferably being a steel alloy profile or an aluminum alloy profile.

6. A system for releasably connecting a wall panel (30) to a wall, floor, ceiling, or to another wall panel (30), the system comprising a female profile (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a male profile (2) for releasably connecting to the female profile (1) the male profile (2) comprising:a first web (21) for insertion into a channel (11) of the female profile (1) at least one second attachment flange (25) connected at an angle to the first web (21), the first web (21) being provided on at least one side with one or more longitudinally extending grooves (27) for establishing a releasable snap-fit connection with a ridge (17) of the female profile (1).

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein the second attachment flange (25) comprises attachment elements (29) for attaching the male profile (2) to a wall, floor, ceiling, or to a wall panel (30), the attachment elements (29) preferably comprise an array of longitudinally spaced openings (29) through the second attachment flange (25) allowing fasteners to extend through the attachment flange (25).

8. A system according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the first web (21) is provided on at least one side with a plurality of preferably regularly spaced longitudinally extending grooves (27) for establishing a releasable snap-fit connection with the ridge (17) of the female profile (1).

9. A system according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the male profile (2) comprises a second web (21'), the second web (21') extending at an angle to the first web (21), preferably at a 180° angle, and the second web (21') being provided on at least one side with one or more longitudinally extending grooves (21') for establishing a releasable snap- fit connection with a ridge (17) of the female profile (1).

10. A system according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the male profile (2) is an extruded profile, preferably a metal profile or plastic profile, the extruded metal profile preferably being a steel alloy profile or an aluminum alloy profile.

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