Clip system for forming a construction surface

Abstract

The present invention relates to an attachment device (4) for attaching a construction panel (3) to a frame element (2), the attachment device comprising a first attachment means (41) and a second attachment means (42), the first attachment means being used to attach the device to the frame element, the second attachment means being used to attach the device to the construction panel, wherein the second attachment means comprises a first connector element (421) configured to engage with a corresponding second connector element (422) located on the construction panel.

Description

CLIP SYSTEM FOR FORMING A BUILDING SURFACE

[0001] This description generally relates to construction surface products, for example, construction panels and connectors suitable for forming a construction surface.

[0002] DESCRIPTION BACKGROUND

[0003] Construction panels, such as gypsum board (commonly known as drywall), are often used to construct building surfaces. These surfaces can be walls or ceilings. The construction panels are attached to a supporting structure, such as the wood or metal studs of a wall or ceiling frame. Once the construction panels are attached to the supporting structure, the surface can be finished with joint compound or another material to create a smooth finish. The surface can then be painted or wallpapered.

[0004] The construction panels are fixed to the supporting structure using screws, nails, or other suitable fasteners.

[0005] When construction panels are also used to build a ceiling, the supporting structure is typically a metal frame consisting of metal frame members. Metal hangers are used and attached to the building's solid ceiling. Metal frame members are connected to these hangers so that several metal frame members are parallel to each other, thus forming a series of frame members. Additional frame members can be connected perpendicularly to the existing frame members to form a frame grid. The construction panels are then attached to the frame grid.

[0006] One problem with these prior art systems is that removing the construction panels is not easy, as the fasteners generally cannot be removed; the construction panel must therefore be broken to be removed. This means that neither the construction panel nor the Fasteners cannot be reused. Removing construction panels can also damage the frame. Reducing waste and creating reusable products is increasingly important. Therefore, there is a need for construction surfaces that can be disassembled, thus reducing the amount of waste.

[0007] Furthermore, attaching construction panels to the frame can be time-consuming and physically demanding, especially when attaching ceiling panels, where the panel must be supported vertically during installation. Fastening through the frame elements can damage and weaken the frame. Additionally, through-fastening leaves the end of the fastener (e.g., the screw head) visible after installation. Therefore, finishing compounds typically need to be applied to cover it and create a smooth, monolithic surface. Consequently, there is also a need for faster and easier-to-install construction surface systems.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention relates to a device, a system and an installation method which remedy the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0010] To this end, the present invention relates to a device for fixing a building panel to a chassis element, said fixing device comprising a first fixing means and a second fixing means, the first fixing means being used to fix the device to the chassis element, the second fixing means being used to fix the device to the building panel, in which the second fixing means comprises a first connector element configured to engage with a corresponding second connector element placed on the building panel.

[0011] According to one example, said first connecting element is a plug and the second connecting element is a receptacle such that the plug and the receptacle form a male-female connector, the first fastening means comprising at least one hook.

[0012] In an example, the first connecting element is a receptacle and the second connecting element is a plug, such that the plug and the receptacle form a male-female connector, the first means of attachment including at least one hook.

[0013] According to one example, said fastening device includes a main plate element from which the first fastening means and the second fastening means extend.

[0014] According to one example, the second means of attachment include at least one secondary plate element from which the first connecting element extends.

[0015] According to one example, the first means of attachment include at least one arm from which at least one hook extends.

[0016] According to one example of the invention, the second fastening means comprises at least one projecting part that protrudes from the main plate.

[0017] According to one example, said at least one secondary plate element extends from the primary plate element perpendicularly or at an angle, said secondary plate element being straight or curved or at a right angle.

[0018] According to one example, said at least one arm extends from the main plate element perpendicularly, said arm being straight or curved.

[0019] According to one example, the second means of attachment comprise two secondary plate elements, said secondary plate elements being symmetrical.

[0020] In one example, the first fastening method comprises two arms, each equipped with a hook, the arms being symmetrical. Alternatively, the first fastening method may comprise one arm equipped with two hooks on either side of the arm.

[0021] According to one example, the said device is arranged so that the chassis element is arranged between the construction panel and the main plate.

[0022] The invention also relates to a construction surface system comprising a frame structure, said frame structure comprising at least one frame element, the construction surface system further comprising at least one construction panel fixed to said frame structure, wherein said construction surface system further comprises less a fastening device according to the invention for supporting said construction panel and in which each construction panel includes at least one connector element being configured to engage with the first connector element of the fastening device.

[0023] In one example, each construction panel is supported by at least two fastening devices.

[0024] According to one example, the chassis structure comprises at least two chassis elements, said chassis elements being parallel or perpendicular to each other.

[0025] According to one example, the fastening device comprises at least two first connecting elements, each of said first connecting elements being inserted into a second connecting element of a different construction panel.

[0026] The invention further relates to a method for assembling a construction surface system according to the invention, said method comprising the following steps: - the formation of the chassis structure comprising at least one chassis element; - the supply of at least one fixing device and its fixing to the chassis element; - the supply of at least one construction panel, said construction panel comprising at least one second connecting element - Activation of the fastening device to connect the first connector element of the fastening device to the second connector element of the construction panel.

[0027] DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0028] Other features and special advantages of the invention will become clear from the following description, which is provided by way of example and in a strictly non-limiting manner, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0029] - Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a construction surface system according to the invention;

[0030] - Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a chassis structure of the construction surface system;

[0031] - Figures 3 to 5 represent a fastening device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0032] - Figures 6 to 8 represent a fastening device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0033] - Figures 9 to 11 represent the construction surface system in detail.

[0034] - Figures 12 to 14 represent another embodiment of the connector according to the invention.

[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] Figure 1 represents a construction surface system 1 according to the invention. This construction surface system is used vertically to cover a wall or horizontally to form a ceiling as illustrated in Figure 1.

[0037] This construction surface system 1 comprises at least one frame element 2 to which at least one construction panel 3 is fixed. The construction panel 3 is fixed to this frame element 2 by means of a fastening device.

[0038] The construction panel used is a gypsum-based construction panel, meaning it contains more gypsum by mass than any other constituent. For example, the construction panel could be a plasterboard (also called drywall) or a fiber-gypsum board. The construction panel includes a body comprising a front face, a back face, and a thickness between the front and back faces.

[0039] The chassis element 2 can be a profile having a C-shape or other suitable shapes such as an open circle. A C-shaped chassis element is defined as a metallic or non-metallic sheet comprising a pair of substantially parallel flanges connected in a way substantially perpendicular to their base by a core, the pair of wings having return edges directed inwards in a manner substantially parallel to the core.

[0040] When chassis element 2 has an open circle shape, the shape of chassis element 2 can serve as wings.

[0041] This chassis structure 1 comprises a plurality of chassis elements 2. In this case, the chassis elements 2 could extend parallel to each other. However, it is possible to have a first set of chassis elements 2 extending parallel to each other and a second set of chassis elements 2 extending perpendicular to the first set of chassis elements 2 so as to form a network as shown in Figure 2.

[0042] The construction panel is attached to at least one frame element 2 by means of a fastening device 4. This fastening device 4 is made of a material selected from the list, including metal or one of its alloys, plastic, wood, or ceramic. The fastening device 4 comprises fastening means 40. More specifically, the fastening device 4 comprises first fastening means 41 and second fastening means 42. The first fastening means 41 are used to attach the device to the frame element, and the second fastening means 42 are used to attach the device to the construction panel 3, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0043] The first fastening means 41 include a clip for fixing the fastening device 4 to the chassis element 2. The clip includes at least one hook or a projecting part 410 intended to cooperate with the chassis element 2.

[0044] The second fastening means 42 uses complementary means to ensure fastening between the fastening device 4 and the construction panel. To this end, the second fastening means 42 includes at least one complementary connector 420 such as a male-female connector. This complementary connector 420 includes a first connector element 421 configured to engage with a corresponding second connector element 422. In particular, the second fastening means 42 are designed so that the first connector element is located on the fastening device 4 and so that the second connecting element is located on the construction panels. In the case of a male-female connector, the male component, called plug 421, is located on the fastener 4, and the female component, called receptacle 422, is located on the construction panel. Plug 421 and receptacle 422 are designed to be clipped together. Alternatively, plug 421 could be placed on the construction panel as the second connecting element, and receptacle 422 placed on the fastener 4 as the first connecting element.

[0045] In one embodiment of the invention, the plug 421 is a spherical end and the receptacle 422 is a hole equipped with a clipping system. This hole may be a through hole, which is a hole with two open ends. Alternatively, this hole may be a blind hole, which is a hole with only one open end. When the spherical end is inserted into the hole, the spherical end activates the clipping system to hold the spherical end in the hole or blind hole.

[0046] The fastening device 4 further includes a main plate element 400 on which the first fastening means 41 and the second fastening means 42 are placed.

[0047] In a first embodiment, the fixing device 4 is provided to be placed so that the chassis element 2 is placed between the construction panel 3 and the fixing device 4. In this first embodiment, the fixing device 4, via the main plate element 400, rests on the chassis element 2. Thus, the chassis element 2 is interposed between the fixing device 4 and the construction panel.

[0048] In the first embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 5, the fastening device 4 comprises a main plate element 400 from which the first fastening means 41 extend. The first fastening means 41 includes hooks 410 used to cooperate with the chassis element. In particular, the hooks 410 of the first fastening means 41 are designed to cooperate with the wings of the chassis element 2 to clip the fastening device 4 to the chassis element 2.

[0049] The second fastening means 42 includes at least one secondary plate element 402. This secondary plate element 402 extends from the primary plate element 400. The secondary plate element 402 extends towards the construction panel. The secondary plate element 402 may be perpendicular to the primary plate element 400 or inclined relative to the primary plate element 400.

[0050] The secondary plate element 420 has a free end in which at least one plug 421, the first connecting element, of the second fastening means 42 is disposed. Alternatively, a receptacle 422 may be attached to the free end of the secondary plate element 402.

[0051] The secondary plate element 402 could be a straight plate, a plate with an inclined or right-angled portion, or a curved plate.

[0052] In the case of the straight plate, the plug is placed on the free end of this straight plate and in the case of an inclined or right-angled part, the plug is placed on this inclined or right-angled part as illustrated in Figure 5.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the second fastening means 42 comprises two secondary plate elements 402 extending on either side of the main plate element. In this case, the secondary plate element encloses the chassis element 2 supporting the fastening device 4.

[0054] These two secondary plate elements 402 could be symmetrical, but it is also possible that the two secondary plate elements 402 extend asymmetrically. Indeed, it is possible to have one secondary plate element as a straight element extending perpendicularly from the main plate element and the other secondary plate element extending from the main plate element at an angle.

[0055] It is also possible to have a single secondary plate element 402 designed to present two plugs, these plugs being spaced apart from each other.

[0056] In a second embodiment shown in Figures 6 to 8, the fastening device 4 is provided for placement between the construction panel 3 and the chassis element 2. In this second embodiment, the fastening device 4, via the main plate element 400', is retained, supported by the chassis element. Thus, the fixing device 4 is interposed between the chassis element and the construction panel 3.

[0057] In a second embodiment, the fastening device 4 comprises a main plate element 400' from which the first fastening means extend. Said first fastening means 41 comprises two arms 412, extending parallel to each other. Preferably, the end of each arm 412 includes hooks 410, said hooks 410 being configured to cooperate with the chassis element 2. Preferably, the hooks 410 of the first fastening means 41 are designed to cooperate with the wings of the chassis element 2 to clip the fastening device 4 to the chassis element 2. The arms 412 could have a shape adapted to the chassis element 2, such as a curved shape as shown in Figure 7. The arms 412 can be configured to deform so as to be positioned on the chassis element 2 and to engage with the wings of the chassis element 2 and to secure the fastening device to the chassis element 2.In examples of the invention including hooks 410, the hooks 410 can be configured to deform so as to engage with the wings of the chassis element 2 and to fix the fastening device to the chassis element 2.

[0058] The main plate element 400' further includes at least one connector 421 for the secondary fastening means 42. This connector extends from the main plate element on the opposite face to that from which the arms of the first fastening means 41 extend. This is because the position of the fastening device 4 between the construction panel 3 and the frame element necessitates that the first fastening means 41 and the second fastening means 42 not be on the same edge of the main plate 400'.

[0059] If the second means of fixing 42 include two plugs, these plugs are spaced apart.

[0060] In this second embodiment, the main plate could have a length equal to or greater than the width of the chassis element. A length of the main plate element greater than the width of the chassis element is useful for increasing the stability of the construction panel fixing as shown in Figure 8.

[0061] In a third embodiment, the preceding embodiments can be combined. In this case, the fastening device 4 comprises arms extending from one side of the main plate element, with the hook(s) being positioned on said arms. The fastening device 4 further comprises at least one secondary plate element on which the first connector element, such as the plug, is placed.

[0062] To install a construction panel, the frame structure must first be installed. This frame structure comprises several frame elements. The frame elements could extend parallel to each other. However, it is also possible to have one set of frame elements extending parallel to each other and a second set of frame elements extending perpendicular to the first set of frame elements, thus forming a grid.

[0063] An installation method for the system according to the invention includes a first step of attaching the fastening devices 4 to the chassis elements 2. To do this, the first fastening means 41 is engaged with the chassis element 2. The first fastening means 41 are preferably configured so that the fastening device 4 can slide along the chassis element 2 after engagement. Engaging the first fastening means 41 with the chassis element 2 preferably involves deforming the first fastening means 41.

[0064] A second step in the installation process of the system according to the invention comprises attaching the fastening device 4 to the construction panel 3. This is achieved by activating the second fastening means 42. The second fastening means 42 is activated by engaging the first connector and the second connector of the second fastening means 42. Engaging the first connector with the second connector preferably involves deforming at least one of the first and second connectors. The number of fastening devices 4 placed on the chassis elements 2 and the corresponding number of second connectors on the construction panels 3 depend on the size, type, and weight of the construction panels 3 and the requirements of the system being constructed. These construction panels 3, used as walls or ceilings, could have various dimensions. If the construction panel 3 is small and light, it is possible to use a single fixing device 4. If the construction panel 3 is large or heavy, it is possible to use at least two fixing devices 4 as shown in Figure 9.

[0065] Several configurations are possible. These configurations depend on the size and weight of the construction panel 3 or the chassis structure 2.

[0066] Regarding the size of the construction panels 3, if the construction panel is long and narrow, the fixing devices 4 and the corresponding second connectors can be positioned so as to be in the middle of the width and distributed along the length of the construction panel 3. If the construction panel 3 is wide, it is possible to have at least two fixing devices 4 and corresponding second connectors distributed along the width of the construction panel 3. Depending on the length of the construction panels 3, fixing devices 4 and corresponding second connectors could also be distributed along the length.

[0067] The configurations could also take into account the chassis structure. Indeed, if the chassis structure consists only of chassis elements 2 extending parallel to each other, the fixing devices 4 and the corresponding second connectors are aligned along the length of the construction panel 3 and / or across the width of the construction panel 3.

[0068] However, if the chassis structure comprises a first set of chassis elements 2 extending parallel to each other and a second set of chassis elements 2 extending perpendicularly to the first set of chassis elements 2 so as to form a grid, the positioning of the fastening devices 4 and the corresponding second connectors is more complex. In this case, the fastening device 4 and the corresponding second connectors are positioned according to the elements of chassis 2 of the first assembly and according to chassis element 2 of the second assembly as shown in Figure 10.

[0069] In the case where the fastening device 4 according to the first embodiment has only one secondary plate element 402 or where the secondary plate elements 402 are not symmetrical, two adjacent fastening devices 4 could be placed on the chassis element 2 to compensate for each other. To do this, the two adjacent fastening devices 4 are positioned opposite each other.

[0070] In another variant, the fastening device 4 is also used to fasten two adjacent / neighboring construction panels 3 together. In this variant, the fastening device 4 comprises two first connecting elements, and each of the two adjacent panels comprises a second connecting element. These second connecting elements are arranged so that, when these construction panels 3 are installed, one first connecting element is inserted into the second connecting element of one construction panel 3, and the other first connecting element is inserted into the second connecting element of another construction panel 3, as shown in Figure 11.

[0071] The advantage of this invention is that it is possible to remove the construction panel from the chassis structure.

[0072] In another variant, the main plate element 400 could also be used to facilitate handling of the connector. Specifically, the main plate element 400 could include gripping means or could be designed so that the user can manipulate the connector to connect it to the chassis element and slide it along the chassis element.

[0073] In one solution, the design of the main plate element 400 is such that it includes a curved section and a rectangular section. This section is used to grip the connector. This section could also be used to deform the connector to facilitate its attachment to the rail element.

[0074] In a second solution, the connector is designed so that the first fastening means 41 extend from the secondary plate element 402. In this case, the main plate 400 could be a U-shaped part from which the secondary plates 402 extend, each secondary plate 402 being L-shaped as illustrated in Figure 14.

[0075] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example, but may be subject to various variants and modifications which will become apparent to the person competent in the art.

[0076] Indeed, the connector may be different. For example, the second fastening means 42 could include more than two initial connector elements. Several options are possible to achieve this.

[0077] One option is to have a connector with more than two arms extending from the main plate element 400 as illustrated in Figure 12. These arms can be grouped in pairs, with the arms of each pair being parallel or not.

[0078] In a second option, at least one arm of the connector could be designed to include several first connector elements. In this case, the end of the arm could include at least two branches, each branch supporting a first connector element as illustrated in Figure 13.

Claims

Claims A fastening device (4) for attaching a building panel (3) to a frame element (2), said fastening device comprising a first fastening means (41) and a second fastening means (42), the first fastening means being used to attach the device to the frame element, the second fastening means being used to attach the device to the building panel, in which the second fastening means comprises a first connector element (421) being configured to engage with a corresponding second connector element (422) placed on the building panel and in which said fastening device comprises a main plate element (400) from which first fastening means and second fastening means extend, and in which said device is arranged so that the frame element is arranged between the building panel and the main plate.A fastening device according to claim 1, wherein said first connector element and corresponding second connector element belong to a male-female connector, said male-female connector comprising a plug and a receptacle. A fastening device according to claim 2, wherein said first connector element is a plug. A fastening device according to claim 2, wherein said first connector element is a receptacle. A fastening device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first fastening means comprises at least one hook (410). A fastening device according to the preceding claims, wherein the second fastening means comprise at least one secondary plate element (402) from which the first connector element extends. A fastening device according to the preceding claims, wherein the first fastening means comprises at least one arm (412) from which at least one hook extends. A fastening device according to claim 6, wherein said secondary plate element extends from the main plate element perpendicularly or at an angle, said secondary plate element being straight, curved, or at a right angle. A fastening device according to claim 7, wherein said at least one arm extends from the main plate element perpendicularly, said arm being straight or curved. A fastening device according to claims 6 or 8, wherein the second fastening means comprise two secondary plate elements, said secondary plate elements being symmetrical.A fastening device according to claims 7 or 9, wherein the first fastening means comprises two arms, each of these arms being equipped with a hook, said arms being symmetrical. A construction surface system comprising a chassis structure, said chassis structure comprising at least one chassis element, the construction surface system further comprising at least one construction panel fixed to said chassis structure, wherein said construction surface system further comprising at least one fastening device according to any one of the preceding claims for supporting said construction panel, wherein the at least one fastening device comprises at least one first connecting element and wherein the at least one construction panel comprises at least one second connecting element being configured to engage with the first connecting element of the fastening device.A construction surface system according to the preceding claim, wherein each construction panel is supported by at least two fastening devices. A construction surface system according to claims 13 or 14, wherein the frame structure comprises at least two frame elements. said chassis elements being parallel or perpendicular to each other. Construction surface system according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the fastening device comprises at least two first connecting elements, each of said first connecting elements being inserted into a second connecting element of a different panel. Method of assembling a construction surface system according to any one of claims 13 to 16, said method comprising the following steps: - the formation of the chassis structure comprising at least one chassis element; - the supply of at least one fixing device and its fixing to the chassis element; - the supply of at least one construction panel, said construction panel comprising at least one second connecting element - Activation of the fastening device to connect the first connector element of the fastening device to the second connector element of the construction panel.

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