Leaf assembly by attached immobilizing plates, for producing a structure

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly of leaves (14, 16) for producing a structure of a wall or a lattice beam, the assembly comprising: - a first leaf (16) oriented along an axis (X) and comprising a front face (16a); - a second leaf (14) oriented along an axis (Y) and comprising a rear face (14b); - a contact region (18) of the front face (16a) of the first leaf (16) bearing in planar fashion against a complementary contact region (18) of the rear face (14b) of the second leaf (14); characterized in that it comprises two immobilizing plates (30), each of which is attached and fastened to the contact region (18) of an associated leaf (14, 16), the two immobilizing plates (30) comprising identical nesting patterns (36) that are designed to allow the two immobilizing plates (30) to nest.

Description

Domaine technique de l'invention

[0001] The invention relates to an assembly of blades for the manufacture of a wall or truss beam structure, the assembly comprising: at least one first blade oriented along a first axis and having a front face; at least one second blade oriented along a second axis forming an angle with the first axis, and having a rear face; a contact zone of the front face of the first blade being in planar support against a complementary contact zone of the rear face of the second blade. Arrière-plan technique

[0002] Timber-framed buildings are constructed by assembling several wooden panels made of cross-laminated timbers. These timbers form the wall structure. Functional panels, such as thermal insulation, sound insulation, fire resistance, or panels serving any other purpose, are inserted between the timbers.

[0003] These walls can withstand gravitational forces. The role of the wall structure is to provide sufficient rigidity to this stack of slats to prevent buckling.

[0004] Thanks to its structure, the wall can withstand the forces exerted upon it, particularly by strong winds, earthquakes, or any other action defined by regulations. These forces are horizontal and induce shear stress within the walls. In a structure composed of several walls, it is necessary to ensure the transfer of these horizontal forces to the building's foundations.

[0005] There [ Fig.1 [ ] represents two wall structures 10. Each structure 10 is composed of overlapping and interlocking wooden slats 14, 16. They form a trapezoidal grid, with spaces into which functional plates (not shown) can be inserted during assembly. Documents FR2562582A1 and FR3080871A1 each disclose a structure comprising an assembly of slats having all the characteristics of the preamble of claim 1.

[0006] One of the structures 10 (located at the bottom of the [ Fig.1 ]) is used as a floor, therefore placed horizontally on the ground. This first structure 10 will therefore be called from now on "floor structure 10.

[0007] The other structure 10 (located at the top of the [ Fig.1 ]), of the same type, is attached perpendicularly to one side to form a wall. This second structure 10 will therefore be referred to hereafter as "wall structure 10". The other three walls are not shown for the sake of clarity.

[0008] The wall structure 10 consists of overlapping layers of horizontally arranged boards called "cross members 14" and vertically arranged boards called "stile members 16". At each intersection between a stile member 16 and a cross member 14, joining means are arranged between the stile member 16 and the cross member 14. These intersections will subsequently be referred to as "joints".

[0009] The floor structure 10 has an identical structure to that of the wall structure 10, but it is lying in a horizontal plane.

[0010] During an earthquake or strong winds, the floor structure 10 is subjected to shear forces that can be continuously distributed along its edges. These forces are represented by the arrows F1. Part of the shear force is directed along the direction of the vertical members 16, while the other part is directed along the horizontal members 14.

[0011] In the same situation, the wall structure 10 is also subjected to shear forces. These shear forces are distributed continuously across the cross members 14 arranged at the base of the wall structure 10, along the principal axis of the cross members 14, as shown by arrows F2. These shear forces are transmitted to each of the upright members 16, along the principal axis of the upright members 16, as shown by arrows F3.

[0012] Distributed or point downward loads, represented by arrows F4, limit the reaction at the base of the 16-inch vertical members. These loads are the gravitational loads from the upper levels (live loads on the upper floors, climatic loads, or the equilibrium reaction of horizontal wind or earthquake forces). Conversely, upward loads due to the equilibrium moment caused by the horizontal force F2 (wind and earthquake) increase the shear forces.

[0013] The study of the equilibrium of forces exerted on a 16-inch upright blade, as illustrated in [ Fig.2 [ ] shows, firstly, that in a wall structure 10 made of cross-laminated timber slats 14, 16, the stud 16 transmits vertical loads F3 and, more importantly, horizontal loads F2, which is not the case in conventional timber frame systems, such as timber frame walls (MOB) or cross-laminated timber (CLT). Secondly, it appears essential that, to achieve equilibrium, the cross-slats 14 must exert a resisting moment M1, M2, M3, M4, M5 at each joint, opposing the rotation of the stud 16 and thus the horizontal shear deformation of the wall structure 10. The sum of all these moments M1 to M5 is equivalent to a single reaction moment MR applied to the stud 16.

[0014] To obtain the highest possible reaction moment MR on each upright 16, it is known to perform an assembly by interlocking each upright 16 into several crossbar 14s.

[0015] To join a 14mm cross member and a 16mm upright member, the principle of joining two members using grooves and pins is already known. This principle allows for the transmission of shear force through wood-to-wood contact.

[0016] More specifically, at the point of contact with the second blade, the first blade is striated with parallel grooves consisting of alternating straight grooves cut into said contact area. The second blade has, at the point of contact with the first blade, raised bumps extending from a base face. These bumps are created by first grooving in a direction generally parallel to the blade, then grooving in a transverse direction (which is not necessarily exactly orthogonal to the primary parallel grooving direction).

[0017] When the two blades are fitted together, the protruding pins engage in the grooves. Any relative movement of one blade with respect to the other in a direction perpendicular to the grooves is blocked by the pins, which come to rest against the edges of the grooves. However, the pins can still slide along the grooves.

[0018] To solve this problem, it is known to use this principle of assembly by grooves and pegs, by machining the wooden blades 14, 16 on both faces, each face having at least one area of ​​pegs extending only over part of the width of the blade 14, 16. This prior art is illustrated on the [ Fig.3 ], which shows the front faces 16a of the upright blades 16 and the front faces 14a of the cross blades 14, and on the [ Fig.4 ] which shows the rear faces 16b of the upright blades 16 and the rear faces 14b of the cross blades 14, particularly at the contact areas 18 between the upright blades 16 and the cross blades 14. These contact areas 18 have a square-like surface when the blades 14, 16 are assembled perpendicularly.

[0019] Each contact zone 18 is divided into two parts, namely an upper part 20 and a lower part 22. In this case, the front face 14a of a cross member 14 is grooved along its entire length in the direction of the wood grain along the X-axis. At the contact zone 18, the lower part 22 is textured, while the upper part 20 remains simply grooved along the X-axis. The same applies to the back face 16b of a stile 16.

[0020] Furthermore, the front face 16a of a stile 16 is grooved along its entire length in the direction of the wood grain along the Y axis. At the contact area 18, the upper part 20 is textured, while the lower part 22 remains simply grooved along the Y axis. The same applies to the rear face 16b of a stile 16.

[0021] The upright blades 16 and the cross blades 14 are superimposed and fitted into each other at their contact areas 18, then held in position by screwing, with one or more screws 24.

[0022] As explained previously, the contact area 18 of a crossbar 14 has an upper portion 20 with grooves and a lower portion 22 with studs. Conversely, the contact area 18 of a stile 16 has an upper portion 20 with studs and a lower portion 22 with grooves.

[0023] When a crossbar 14 is fitted into a stile 16, the grooves along the X-axis of the upper part 20 of the contact area 18 are prevented from moving along the Y-axis by the pins on the upper part 20 of the contact area 18 of the stile 16. The grooves along the Y-axis of the lower part 22 of the contact area 18 of the stile 16 are prevented from moving along the X-axis by the pins on the lower part 22 of the contact area 18 of the crossbar 14. Assembly screws 24 prevent any relative movement between the crossbar 14 and the upright 16 along the Z-axis. Consequently, the assembly of a crossbar 14 and an upright 16 results in a joint with no degrees of freedom, with locking in all three directions X, Y, and Z. Furthermore, rotation between the upright 16 and the crossbar 14 is also blocked in both directions by this assembly.Thus, each assembly of a cross blade 14 and a stile blade 16 can withstand a plane twister.

[0024] This assembly method is particularly advantageous because it allows for the automated production of the structures, for example, by using a robotic arm in the workshop. The blades, whose contact areas have been pre-machined to form the textured and grooved sections, are thus automatically and quickly placed one on top of the other. Finally, the tightening screws complete the assembly of these structures.

[0025] However, this assembly method, based on previous techniques, presents several disadvantages.

[0026] First, while it's possible to create protruding studs by cutting perpendicular grooves on the contact area of ​​a blade, it's not easy to create recesses with a shape complementary to these studs on the contact area of ​​the associated blade. Consequently, the studs are received in grooves that don't prevent the blades from moving in the direction of those grooves. Therefore, it's necessary to create grooves in two orthogonal directions on each blade to achieve sliding resistance in all directions within the plane of the blade.

[0027] Furthermore, machining the back face of the crossbars is difficult. The pins are only machined across half the width of the bar at the contact point. This partial machining is not easy to perform with grooving machines. Moreover, this partial machining reduces the strength of the joint between the stiles and crossbars.

[0028] Generally, each blade must be grooved and pitted on both sides. This requires rotating the blade several times (for example, four times) on the grooving machine, which complicates the grooving process and increases its machining time.

[0029] Furthermore, the creation of the studs and grooves is achieved by removing material from each slat. Consequently, a significant proportion of the wood slat's thickness, for example, around 20%, is no longer functional. This results in a waste of wood.

[0030] Furthermore, this process is not suitable for all types of wood planks. Solid wood is particularly preferable. However, producing solid wood planks can lead to significant waste of raw materials. Wood planks made from glued veneer, such as laminated veneer lumber (LVL), on the other hand, allow for considerable raw material savings. However, because such wood planks can mitigate shrinkage through cross-laminated layers, they are not well-suited to tongue-and-groove joints created by material removal. Résumé de l'invention

[0031] The invention proposes an assembly of blades for the manufacture of a wall or truss beam structure, the assembly comprising: at least one first blade oriented along a first axis and having a front face; at least one second blade oriented along a second axis forming an angle with the first axis, and having a rear face; a contact zone of the front face of the first blade being in planar support against a complementary contact zone of the rear face of the second blade; characterized in that it comprises two locking plates, each of which is attached to and fixed onto the contact area of ​​an associated blade, the two locking plates having identical interlocking patterns designed to allow the two locking plates to be interlocked in a direction orthogonal to the faces of the blades, the interlocking patterns enabling the locking of all degrees of freedom of the blades in the plane of their faces. Each locking plate has an upper interlocking face oriented perpendicular to said direction. interlocking, the said two upper interlocking faces facing each other and presenting the said interlocking patterns.

[0032] The invention thus offers a highly advantageous way to create patterns that allow for effective and secure locking of the boards against each other in all directions, without being limited by the machining techniques used for the wood. Furthermore, the invention eliminates the need to machine the wood and thereby avoid losing a significant portion of its thickness. The boards are locked together by their interlocking upper surfaces, which fit together through the interlocking of the patterns.

[0033] According to the invention, the interlocking patterns are in relief.

[0034] According to the invention, the interlocking patterns are repeated regularly and identically across the entire upper surface.

[0035] According to another feature of the assembly produced according to the teachings of the invention, each locking plate is made of a plastic material. This feature advantageously allows for the creation of any desired shape for the interlocking patterns thanks to the variety of techniques available for forming or molding plastic parts. Furthermore, the locking plate can be made of recycled plastic, thus contributing to environmental protection.

[0036] According to another feature of the assembly produced according to the teachings of the invention, the interlocking pattern has an alternating pattern of bumps, extending above a median plane, and recesses, extending below a median plane, each recess having a shape complementary to each bump of the other locking plate to allow one locking plate to be fitted into the other. This feature allows each bump to contribute to locking the blade in all directions of the transverse longitudinal plane.

[0037] According to another feature of the assembly produced according to the teachings of the invention, the recesses and raised areas of an interlocking pattern are arranged adjacent to one another, with two raised areas joined by a collar arranged at the level of the median plane. This arrangement allows for a high density of recesses and raised areas, thus strengthening the locking of the two blades.

[0038] According to another feature of the assembly produced according to the teachings of the invention, the interlocking pattern is formed by a regular tiling of identical hollows and identical bumps, each hollow having a shape complementary to each bump. This feature makes it possible to obtain a dense and regular arrangement of hollows and bumps.

[0039] According to another feature of the assembly produced according to the teachings of the invention, in cross-section along the median plane, each hollow and each raised area has the shape of a square, the raised areas and hollows being arranged in a square pattern. This feature represents one of the two existing configurations for obtaining a plate with a regular pattern of hollows and raised areas that can be fitted together with another identical locking plate.

[0040] According to another feature of the assembly produced according to the teachings of the invention, in cross-section along the median plane, each hollow and each raised area has the shape of an equilateral triangle, the raised areas and hollows being arranged in a triangular pattern. This feature represents the second of two existing configurations for obtaining a plate with a regular pattern of hollows and raised areas that can be fitted together with another identical locking plate.

[0041] According to another feature of the assembly produced according to the teachings of the invention, the hollows are formed by parallel, non-straight grooves, and the raised areas are formed by raised ridges completely separated by the hollows. This feature makes it possible to achieve the objective of the invention by promoting the strength of the assembly in a direction perpendicular to the general direction of the grooves.

[0042] According to another feature of the assembly produced according to the teachings of the invention, the locking plates are fixed to their respective blades by gluing. This feature allows the locking plate to be fixed to any type of wood.

[0043] According to another feature of the assembly produced according to the teachings of the invention, all the bumps of the interlocking pattern have the same height from the median plane and all the recesses of the interlocking pattern have the same depth from the median plane, said height and said depth both being greater than or equal to 3 mm. This feature prevents the locking plates from becoming dislodged from one another when the thickness of the blades decreases due to atmospheric conditions, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the fastening screw. Brève description des figures

[0044] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, for an understanding of which reference should be made to the attached drawings in which: [ Fig.1 ] There [ Fig.1 [ ] illustrates a structure serving as a floor as well as a structure serving as a wall. ] Fig.2 ] There [ Fig.2 ] shows the forces balancing on a portion of the structure of the [ Fig.1 ]. Fig.3 ] There [ Fig.3 ] is an exploded view of the front faces of uprights and crossbeams assembled to form a structure according to the prior art. Fig.4 ] There [ Fig.4 ] is an exploded view of the rear faces of uprights and crossbeams assembled to form a structure according to the prior art. Fig.5 ] There [ Fig.5 ] is a perspective view that represents a first wooden plank intended to be assembled to the wooden plank of the [ Fig.6 ]. Fig.6 ] There [ Fig.6 ] is a perspective view that represents a second wooden plank intended to be joined to the wooden plank of the [ Fig.5 ]. Fig.7 ] There [ Fig.7 ] is a perspective view that represents an assembly of wooden slats of figures 5 et 6 carried out according to the principles of the invention. Fig.8 ] There [ Fig.8 ] is an exploded perspective view of the various elements of the assembly of the [ Fig.7 ]. Fig.9 ] There [ Fig.9 ] is a larger-scale perspective view that represents one of the two locking plates used to assemble the [ Fig.8 ]. Fig.10 ] There [ Fig.10 ] is a view similar to that of the [ Fig.9 ] which represents interlocking patterns of the locking plate produced according to a first embodiment of the invention. Fig.11 ] There [ Fig.11 ] is a sectional view along cutting plane 11-11 of the [ Fig.13 ] which represents the bumps and hollows of the interlocking pattern of the locking plate of the [ Fig.10 ]. Fig.12 ] There [ Fig.12 ] is a sectional view along the cutting plane 12-12 of the [ Fig.13 ] which represents bumps and collars of the interlocking pattern of the locking plate of the [ Fig.10 ]. Fig.13 ] There [ Fig.13 ] is a perspective view with a horizontal section at the level of a median plane of the locking plate of the [ Fig.10 ]. Fig.14 ] There [ Fig.14 ] is a schematic top view that represents the different positions that can be occupied by the wooden slats of an assembly made using locking plates made according to the [ Fig.10 ]. Fig.15 ] There [ Fig.15 ] is a view similar to that of the [ Fig.10 which represents a variant embodiment of the first embodiment of the invention. Fig.16 ] There [ Fig.16 ] is a top view that represents the plate of the [ Fig.15 ] with a cut along a median plane. Fig.17 ] There [ Fig.17 ] is a schematic top view that represents the different positions that can be occupied by the wooden slats of an assembly made using locking plates made according to the [ Fig.15 ]. Fig.18 ] There [ Fig.18 ] is a perspective view representing a blocking plate made according to a second embodiment of the invention. Fig.19 ] There [ Fig.19 ] is a view similar to that of the [ Fig.18 ] which represents a variant of the second embodiment of the invention. Fig.20 ] There [ Fig.20 ] is a view similar to that of the [ Fig.18 ] which represents yet another variant of the second embodiment of the invention. Fig.21 ] There [ Fig.21 ] is a perspective view which represents a blocking plate made according to a third example of the first embodiment of the invention. Description détaillée de l'invention

[0045] In the following description, elements with an identical structure or similar functions will be designated by the same reference.

[0046] In the following description, we will adopt, for non-limiting purposes, local orientations for each longitudinal, vertical, and transverse wooden slat, indicated by the trihedral coordinates "L,V,T" in the figures. By convention, the longitudinal direction corresponds to the length of a slat, the transverse direction to the width of a slat, and the vertical direction to the thickness of the slat. The vertical direction is used as a geometric reference point unrelated to the direction of gravity.

[0047] We have represented at the [ Fig.5 A wooden blade 16 is intended to form a stile 16. The stile 16 is bounded along its thickness by two transverse longitudinal faces, which will hereafter be called the front face 16a and the rear face 16b. The stile 16 extends along a principal longitudinal axis "X". The stile 16 is bounded transversely by longitudinal edges 26 and longitudinally by transverse edges 28. The edges 26 and 28 have a thickness much less than the width of each face 16a and 16b.

[0048] We have represented at the [ Fig.6 A wooden blade 14 forms a cross blade 14. The cross blade 14 is bounded along its thickness by two transverse longitudinal faces, which will hereafter be called the front face 14a and the rear face 14b. The cross blade 14 extends along a principal longitudinal axis "Y". The cross blade 14 is bounded transversely by longitudinal edges 26 and longitudinally by transverse edges 28. The edges 26 and 28 have a thickness much less than the width of each face.

[0049] We have represented at the [ Fig.7 A structure 10 is made by assembling several blades 14, 16 for the fabrication of a wall or a truss beam. The structure 10 is made, as in the prior art, by superimposing interlocking wooden blades 14, 16, forming upright blades 16 and crossbeam blades 14. Thus, the assembly includes at least one upright blade 16, oriented along the principal "X" axis and having the front face 16a. The assembly also includes at least one crossbeam blade 14, oriented along the principal "Y" axis and having the rear face 14b.

[0050] The main "X" axis of the upright 16 forms an angle "α" with the main "Y" axis of the cross member. This angle "α" is generally between -180° and 180°, preferably excluding 0°. The angle "α" is preferably between + / -30° and + / -120° when rotated in either direction. Preferably, the angle "α" has a value approximately equal to + / -30°, + / -45°, + / -90°, + / -125°, or + / -150°. In the example shown in [ Fig.7 ], the angle "α" is 90°.

[0051] As symbolized by hatching in the [ Fig.8 ], a contact zone 18 of the front face 16a of the upright blade 16 is in planar support against a complementary contact zone 18 of the rear face 14b of the cross blade 14.

[0052] According to the teachings of the invention, the degrees of freedom of the upright blade 16 relative to the crossbar blade 14 in the transverse longitudinal plane are blocked by means of two locking plates 30. More specifically, the contact area 18 of each blade 14, 16 is equipped with a locking plate 30 attached to and fixed onto the corresponding blade 14, 16.

[0053] Each locking plate 30 extends in a transverse longitudinal plane of the associated wooden blade 14, 16. In the example shown in the [ Fig.9 ], the locking plate 30 has, in the thickness direction, a base 32, shown at the bottom of the [ Fig.9 ], and an upper interlocking face 34, shown at the top in the [ Fig.9 ].

[0054] The base 32 has a lower fixing face designed to bear flat against the contact area 18 of the associated wooden blade 14, 16. The base 32 allows the locking plate 30 to be fixed to the fixing area 18, for example by gluing, regardless of the bonding activation method, such as slow polymerization, heating, friction, etc. Adhesive fixing is applicable to all types of wood, including hardwoods.

[0055] In an alternative (not shown) of the invention, the underside of the sole has cleats designed to be driven into the contact area of ​​the associated wooden blade to secure the locking plate. However, this alternative is only applicable if the blade is made of sufficiently soft wood.

[0056] The interlocking face 34 features raised interlocking patterns 36 that are regularly repeated identically across the entire upper surface of the locking plate 30. The interlocking face 34 of a locking plate 30 is thus designed to be fitted into the interlocking face 34 of an opposing locking plate 30. The interlocking patterns 36 are identical on each of the two plates 30 in the assembly. This notably reduces the manufacturing and management costs of the locking plates 30 and simplifies their attachment to the wooden slats 14, 16 by eliminating the need to manage multiple plate models for the same structure 10.

[0057] The interlocking patterns 36 of each of the two locking plates 30 are designed to allow the two identical locking plates 30 to be interlocked in a direction orthogonal to the faces 16a, 14b of the wooden blades 14, 16. Thus, the interlocking patterns 36 have a succession of recesses 38 and bumps 40, each bump 40 having a shape complementary to that of each recess 38 to allow one locking plate 30 to be interlocked with the other.

[0058] The interlocking patterns 36 also have a shape that allows all degrees of freedom of the wooden blades 14, 16 to be blocked relative to each other in a transverse longitudinal plane. More specifically, this means that the interlocking patterns 36 prevent any translational movement of the wooden blade 14, 16 relative to the other in all directions of the transverse longitudinal plane, as well as any rotation of one wooden blade 14, 16 relative to the other about any axis orthogonal to the plane of the blades.

[0059] Each locking plate 30 is made of plastic. Preferably, the locking plates 30 are made of recycled plastic. The locking plates 30 are manufactured, for example, by extrusion molding or injection molding.

[0060] In an alternative, not shown, of the invention, the locking plates may be made of a metallic material. In this case, the interlocking patterns 36 of the interlocking face 34 are, for example, formed by forging a metal sheet.

[0061] Each blocking plate 30 has dimensions and a shape that allow it not to protrude beyond the contact zone 18 formed by the overlapping of the two wooden blades 14, 16. Preferably, the dimensions of the blocking plate 30 are substantially the same as those of the contact zone 18.

[0062] For example, the shape of the locking plates 30 is adapted to cover the entire contact area 18 between two blades 14, 16. When the blades 14, 16 are intended to be arranged at 90° or 180° to each other, the locking plate 30 has the same square shape and dimensions as the contact area 18. When the plates are intended to be arranged at 45° or 60° to each other, the locking plate 30 has the same trapezoidal shape and dimensions as the contact area 18.

[0063] Alternatively, the locking plate 30 has a shape that allows it to cover the contact area 18 common to all angles "α" permitted by the patterns. For example, the plate 30 has a round shape when a wide variety of angles are present, a square shape when the wooden slats 14, 16 are intended to be arranged, or a trapezoidal shape.

[0064] When it is desired to obtain a locking plate 30 that can be used interchangeably for orientations at 90° or 45°, the locking plate 30 has, for example, an octagonal shape allowing it to remain covered by the superposition of the contact zones 18 of the two blades regardless of the position envisaged, at 45° or 90°.

[0065] Of course, other forms are conceivable, to adapt the shape of the blocking plates 30 to different angles "α" between the axes "X" and "Y" of the wooden blades 14, 16 of the structure 10.

[0066] According to a first embodiment of the invention shown in figures 10 à 14 as well as to figures 15 à 17 , the interlocking pattern 36 has an alternation of bumps 40, which extend above a median plane 42, and hollows 38, which extend below said median plane 42, as is particularly visible in the cross-sectional view of the [ Fig.11 ].

[0067] The hollows 38 and the bumps 40 of an interlocking pattern 36 are arranged adjacent to each other. Each bump 40 is connected to an adjacent bump by a collar 41, as can be seen in the cross-sectional view of the [ Fig.13 The median plane 42 is defined as being at the level of the 41 passes. The median plane 42 extends in a transverse longitudinal plane.

[0068] Each hollow 38 having a complementary shape to at least one bump 40 of the other plate 30, each bump 40 of a locking plate 30 being intended to be received in a hollow 38 of the other locking plate 30 and vice versa.

[0069] Advantageously, the hollows 38 and the bumps 40 are arranged directly next to each other, without any flat portions extending into the median plane 42. This ensures good resistance of the interlocking of the two locking plates 30 in the transverse longitudinal plane by providing a high density of bumps 40 and hollows 38.

[0070] Each hollow 38 is more particularly surrounded by a continuous alternation of cols 41 and adjacent humps 40 all around its perimeter.

[0071] Each interlocking motif 36 consists of a bump 40 and a recess 38, the interlocking motif 36 being repeated regularly in at least two different directions across the entire interlocking face 34. Each bump 40 has a vertex 44. For the remainder of this text, a height "h" of the bump 40 is defined as the vertical distance between the median plane 42 and the vertex 44 of the bump 40.

[0072] Each cavity 38 has a bottom 46. For the remainder of this description, the depth "p" of a cavity 38 is defined as the vertical distance between the median plane 42 and the bottom 46 of the cavity 38. Each cavity 38 is delimited in all directions of the transverse longitudinal plane by a closed wall 48. The bottom 46 extends above the base 32 so that the blocking plate 30 is not perforated along its thickness.

[0073] All the bumps 40 of the interlocking pattern 36 have the same height "h" and all the recesses 38 of the interlocking pattern 36 have the same depth "p". The height "h" of the bumps 40 and the depth "p" of the recesses 38 are equal to the same value. This value is, for example, greater than or equal to 3 mm, for example, on the order of 3.5 mm. Generally, this value is sufficient to prevent the locking plates 30 from becoming dislodged from one another due to variations in the thickness of the wooden slats 14, 16 caused by changes in atmospheric conditions, particularly temperature and humidity.

[0074] In the examples shown in figures 10 à 14 and to figures 15 à 17 , the interlocking pattern 36 is here formed by a regular tiling of identical hollows 38 and identical bumps 40, each hollow 38 having a shape complementary to each bump 40.

[0075] This configuration allows the locking plates 30 to be fitted together even when offset in translation along the transverse longitudinal plane by a spacing that allows their interlocking patterns 36 to coincide again. Furthermore, the recesses 38 and the bumps 40 have dimensions on the order of a few millimeters in the median plane 42, for example, less than or equal to 5 mm, preferably on the order of 3 mm. This arrangement facilitates the positioning of two blades 14, 16 relative to each other during assembly. Indeed, due to assembly uncertainties, the blades 14, 16 may be offset by a few millimeters in one direction of the transverse longitudinal plane. Having small recesses 38 and bumps 40 allows for a very small spacing, on the order of a few millimeters.

[0076] In the example shown in figures 10 à 14 , the 40 bumps and the 38 hollows have a curved, sinusoidal type shape.

[0077] However, the same result can be obtained with hollows 38 and bumps 40 having another shape such as a pyramidal shape, as shown in the [ Fig.15 ].

[0078] In the example shown in figures 10 à 14 , the 40 bumps and the 38 hollows have a non-truncated shape.

[0079] However, the same result can be obtained with hollows 38 and bumps 40 having a truncated shape, the top of the bumps and the bottom of the hollows then having a flat surface, as shown in the [ Fig.15 ].

[0080] We have presented a first example of the implementation of the first embodiment in figures 10 à 14 . In cross-sectional view along the median plane 42, as shown in the [ Fig.13 Each hollow 38 and each bump 40 has the shape of a square. The bumps 40 and the hollows 38 are then arranged according to a square tiling, that is to say, presenting the appearance of a checkerboard in which the hatched squares form the cutting planes from which the bumps 40 extend, and in which the white squares represent the hollows 38. Each corner of the squares corresponds to the position of a neck 41. In this configuration, the interlocking patterns 36 are repeated in two orthogonal directions, corresponding to the rows and columns of the checkerboard.

[0081] When a locking plate 30 is fitted with an identical locking plate 30 opposite, the bumps 40 corresponding to the hatched squares of one locking plate 30 are arranged in coincidence with the hollows 38 corresponding to the white squares of the other locking plate 30, and vice versa.

[0082] Such a square tiling is invariant under rotation about a central axis orthogonal to the locking plate 30, passing through the apex 44 of a bump 40 or the bottom 46 of a recess 38, by angular steps of 90° from an initial angle "α". Thus, a cross member 14 equipped with such a locking plate 30 can be fitted in four distinct positions onto a stile 16 equipped with an identical locking plate 30. The initial angle "α" is determined by the relative orientation of the two locking plates 30 with respect to their respective members 14 and 16.

[0083] In the example shown in the [ Fig.14 ], the initial angle "α" is 90°. The four distinct positions are represented by the plates referenced 14, 14', 14" and 14"'. In these four positions, the "Y" axis of the cross blade 14 forms an angle of 90°, 180°, -90° and 0° respectively with the "X" axis of the upright blade 16.

[0084] Alternatively, when it is desired to arrange the crossbar 14 at 45° or 135° relative to the upright 16, one of the two locking plates 30 is rotated 45° relative to the arrangement shown in the [ Fig.14 ], while the other plate remains unchanged. In this case, the cross blade 14 can occupy four angular positions at 90° to each other, but starting from an initial angle "α" of 45°.

[0085] We represented at figures 15 à 17 A second example of implementing the first embodiment. In cross-section along the median plane 42, each hollow 38 and each bump 40 has the shape of an equilateral triangle, the bumps 40 and hollows 38 being arranged in a triangular tiling. In this case, the interlocking patterns 36 are repeated in three directions forming an angle of 120° with respect to each other in the transverse longitudinal plane.

[0086] Such a tiling is invariant under rotation about a central axis orthogonal to the locking plate 30 passing through the apex 44 of a bump 40 or the bottom 46 of a recess 38, by angular steps of 120° from an initial angle "α". Thus, a cross member 14 equipped with such a locking plate 30 can be fitted in three distinct positions onto a stile 16 equipped with an identical locking plate 30. The initial angle "α" is determined by the relative orientation of the two locking plates 30 with respect to their respective members 14 and 16.

[0087] We have represented by references 14, 14' and 14" to the [ Fig.17 ] the three distinct positions that can be occupied by the cross blade 14 starting from an initial angle "α" of 90°. In these three positions, the axis "Y" of the cross blade 14 forms respectively with the axis "X" of the upright blade 16 an angle of 90°, -30°, -60°.

[0088] We have represented at the [ Fig.21 A third example of implementing the first embodiment. Unlike the first two examples, the hollows 38 and the bumps 40 of the interlocking pattern 36 do not form a regular tiling. They are arranged according to a polar tiling based on a polar grid divided into annular sectors by concentric circles around a center "O" of rotation and by radii distributed regularly from the center "O" of rotation. Between two successive concentric circles, rings are defined, comprising alternating hollows 38 and bumps 40 of the same dimensions. All the rings here have the same radial thickness.

[0089] Between two successive rays are defined angular sectors comprising an alternation of hollows 38 and bumps 40 whose dimensions, in the circumferential direction around the center "O" of rotation, increase regularly from the inside of the grid to the outside of the polar grid.

[0090] To avoid having to create hollows and bumps of dimensions that are too small, and therefore inefficient and difficult to manufacture, a central circular portion 50 of the grid forms a flat support face devoid of hollows and bumps extending in the median plane 52.

[0091] The central angle of an angular sector is determined by the number of angular sectors present in the polar grid. Such a polar tiling is invariant under rotation about a central axis orthogonal to the locking plate 30 and passing through the center "O" of rotation by angular steps equal to twice the central angle, starting from an initial angle "α". The number of angular sectors here is seventy-two, and the angular step is 10°. Thus, a cross member 14 equipped with such a locking plate 30 can be fitted in thirty-six distinct positions onto a stile 16 equipped with an identical locking plate 30. The initial angle "α" is determined by the relative orientation of the two locking plates 30 with respect to their respective members 14 and 16.

[0092] Such a locking plate 30 capable of occupying such a number of distinct positions advantageously has a round shape whose diameter is substantially equal to the width of a blade 14, 16.

[0093] According to a second embodiment of the invention shown in figures 18 à 20 , the interlocking patterns 36 are achieved by an alternation of hollows 38 formed by non-straight grooves extending parallel to each other, and projecting ridges, forming the bumps 40, each of which has a shape complementary to the hollows 38. These are, for example, chevron grooves, as shown in the [ Fig.18 ], of wavy grooves as shown in the [ Fig.19 ], or zigzag grooves as shown in the [ Fig.20 ]. In this embodiment, the interlocking motif 36 does not have a median plane in the sense of the first embodiment, since the bumps 40 are totally separated from each other by the hollows 38, and therefore do not form necks between them.

[0094] This embodiment offers less freedom than the first embodiment. Such an alternation of hollows 38 and bumps 40 is invariant under rotation around a central axis orthogonal to the locking plate 30 only in angular steps of 180° from an initial angle "α" for the wave and zigzag shapes. Thus, a cross member 14 equipped with such a locking plate 30 can only be fitted in two distinct positions onto a stile 16 equipped with an identical locking plate 30. The initial angle "α" is determined by the relative orientation of the two locking plates 30 with respect to their respective members 14 and 16.

[0095] The chevron-shaped grooves shown in the [ Fig.18 ] does not allow a cross blade 14 equipped with such a locking plate 30 to be fitted only in one position onto a stile 16 equipped with such an identical locking plate 30.

[0096] During the manufacture of a structure 10 implementing any of the embodiments of the invention, the blocking plates 30 are pre-manufactured in series, for example by extrusion molding in recycled plastic.

[0097] Then, the wooden blades 14, 16 intended to form the structure 10 are cut to the required size and the position of the contact areas 18 is determined.

[0098] The locking plates 30 are then positioned on each of the contact areas 18 with the required orientation to allow the blades 14, 16 to be positioned relative to each other in the structure 10.

[0099] The locking plates 30 are then fixed, for example by gluing their base 32 against the associated contact area 18.

[0100] These operations can advantageously be carried out upstream of the transport of the blades 14, 16 to the assembly site of the structure 10.

[0101] The blades 14, 16 are then assembled with each other by interlocking the locking plates 30. Then the blades 14, 16 of the assembly are held together along the interlocking direction by means of screws 24 which clamp the blades 14, 16 at their contact areas 18 by passing through the locking plates 30.

Claims

1. An assembly of boards (14, 16) for manufacturing a wall or lattice beam structure, the assembly comprising: - at least one first board (16) oriented along a first axis (X) and comprising a front face (16a); - at least one second board (14) oriented along a second axis (Y) forming an angle (α) with the first axis (X), and comprising a rear face (14b); - a contact region (18) of the front face (16a) of the first board (16) bearing flat against a complementary contact region (18) of the rear face (14b) of the second board (14); characterized in that it comprises two immobilizing plates (30), each of which is attached and fastened to the contact region (18) of an associated board (14, 16), each immobilizing plate (30) having an upper nesting face (34) oriented perpendicular to said nesting direction, said two upper nesting faces (34) facing each other and having identical raised nesting patterns (36) designed to allow the two immobilizing plates (30) to be nested together in a nesting direction orthogonal to the faces (16a, 14b) of the boards (14, 16), the nesting face (34) of one immobilizing plate (30) is thus intended to be nested with the nesting face (34) of an opposing immobilizing plate (30), the nesting patterns (36) allowing all the degrees of freedom of the boards (14, 16) to be immobilized in the plane of their faces (14b, 16a).

2. The assembly according to the previous claim, characterized in that said nesting patterns (35) are repeated regularly and identically across the entire upper face (34).

3. The assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each immobilizing plate (30) is made of a plastic material.

4. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nesting pattern (36) has alternating bumps (40), which extend above a median plane (42), and recesses (38), which extend below a median plane (42), each recess (38) having a shape complementary to each bump (40) of the other immobilizing plate (30) to allow one immobilizing plate (30) to nest with the other.

5. The assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the recesses (38) and the bumps (40) of a nesting pattern (36) are arranged adjacent to each other, two bumps (40) being joined by a neck (41) arranged at the median plane (42).

6. The assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the nesting pattern (36) is formed by a regular paving of identical recesses (38) and identical bumps (40), each recess (38) having a shape complementary to each bump (40).

7. The assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, in a cross-section along the median plane (42), each recess (38) and each bump (40) has a square shape, the bumps (40) and recesses (38) being arranged in a square paving.

8. The assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, in cross-section along the median plane (42), each recess (38) and each bump (40) has the shape of an equilateral triangle, the bumps (40) and the recesses (38) being arranged in a triangular paving.

9. The assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that the recesses (38) are formed by non-rectilinear parallel grooves and the bumps (40) are formed by ridges completely separated by the recesses (38).

10. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the immobilizing plates (30) are fixed to their respective boards (14, 16) by gluing.

11. The assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that all the bumps (40) of the nesting pattern have the same height (h) from the median plane (42) and all the recesses (38) of the nesting pattern have the same depth (p) from the median plane (42), said height (h) and said depth (p) both being greater than or equal to 3 mm.

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