Grid module for a fence or building

Abstract

The invention relates to a grid module (1) comprising two aligned grids (3), each comprising a rail (5) and transverse bars (6) fixed to the rail (5), the grid module (1) comprising a post (2) and a device (4) for connecting the grids (3) to said post (2), comprising a support body (7) forming a profile having a U-shaped cross-section, and comprising a central portion (8) and two branches (9) extending on either side from the central portion (8), and being configured to be mechanically connected in surface-mounted fashion to said post (2) by one of the branches (9), as well as to receive the ends (10) of the rail (5) of a first and a second of said grids (3) between the branches (9), the connection device (4) comprising a fixing element (11) configured to hold said ends (10) of the rails (5) on the support body (7) against said central portion (8).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a grid module for a fence or building, as well as to a building and a fence comprising a plurality of such grid modules.

[0002] The invention finds applications in particular in the construction of secure shelters, for example of the shelter type for bicycles or other similar vehicles, in particular for enclosing such a shelter. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] Grid techniques are known from the prior art for forming a fence or a fence panel for a building. Generally, a grid comprises several vertical bars fixed to at least one horizontal rail.

[0004] It is common for a grid to be supported by at least two substantially vertical posts, placed respectively at each end of the grid.

[0005] At least one rail of the grid can be fixed to the posts using different installation techniques.

[0006] A first technique consists of fixing at least one rail between the posts, using a “French style” installation in which the ends of the rail are respectively fixed frontally to the posts.

[0007] A second technique consists of fixing at least one rail on the posts, using an "English" installation in which the ends of the rail are fixed laterally to the posts, with the ends of two adjacent grid rails facing each other.

[0008] This second technique has the advantage of providing visual continuity to a fence or building comprising a plurality of grilles connected to the posts in this way. Indeed, the surface-mounted installation has the effect that the bars are located on the facade on a so-called exterior side of the grille, in front of the posts which are located on a so-called interior side of the grille.

[0009] Techniques are known for connecting a rail to a post allowing such surface-mounted installation, in particular the Applicant's French patent application published under number FR3132535, which describes a particularly advantageous connection device for surface-mounted installation in particular.

[0010] The connecting device described in this patent application has a main body with a substantially U-shaped cross-section, configured to receive one end of a rail of a grid. The main body also includes a fixing wing extending from a branch of the U-shape, by which the connecting device can be surface-mounted to a post. The fixing wing has an eccentric opening, configured to receive a screw for fixing the connecting device to the post.

[0011] This device proves particularly satisfactory for connecting grids arranged angularly to each other on the same post, due to the eccentricity of the opening which allows crossing of the screws of two connecting devices arranged at the same height on a post.

[0012] Furthermore, this device is particularly suitable for the construction of fences, which are generally built by successively alternating a post, then a grid, and so on, called "advance installation".

[0013] However, it is desirable to propose an alternative technique for connecting a surface-mounted rail to a post, which in particular makes it possible to construct buildings such as shelters of the type comprising a roof in a particularly convenient and simple manner. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the state of the art cited above.

[0015] To this end, the invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a grid module for a fence or building, comprising at least two substantially aligned grids, each grid comprising at least one rail and a plurality of transverse bars fixed to the at least one rail, the grid module further comprising at least one post and at least one connection device configured to connect two of said grids to said post;wherein the connecting device comprises a support body having a substantially U-shaped cross-section, the support body comprising a central portion and two branches extending on either side from the central portion, the support body being configured to be mechanically connected in a surface-mounted manner to said post by one of the branches of the U-shape, as well as to receive one end of a rail of a first of said grids as well as one end of a rail of a second of said grids between the branches of the U-shape; and wherein the connecting device further comprises a fixing element configured to hold said rail ends on the support body.;

[0016] The support body here forms a profile, or a portion of a profile, having a substantially U-shaped cross-section. The profile is itself formed by the central portion and the two branches, which are connected one by one to form the U-shape.

[0017] In other words, the support body has a tubular shape, with a substantially rectangular section, and is open along its length on one of its sides.

[0018] In particular, the central portion and / or the two branches may be substantially made of solid material, and may in particular be devoid of any opening provided for receiving one or more bars of the grid.

[0019] At least one rail can thus be fixed on the post using the connection device.

[0020] Surface-mounted fixing, or surface-mounted installation, means an installation in which the ends of the rail are fixed laterally to the posts, with the ends of two adjacent grid rails facing each other, as defined above.

[0021] The grids are here substantially aligned, and the ends of the two rails received in the support body face each other.

[0022] The rails of the grids can be introduced through the U-shaped opening of the support body, formed between the branches, to be fixed to the support body.

[0023] In other words, the introduction of the stringers into the support body is done transversely to the general longitudinal direction of the stringers.

[0024] The support body is connected by one of the branches of the U-shape to the post.

[0025] The holding element allows the rail to be held firmly on the support body.

[0026] More precisely, the ends of the stringers are held against the central portion, that is, against the bottom of the U-shape.

[0027] The fixing element is configured to hold the rail ends on the support body so as to prevent any lateral displacement of the rails relative to the support body, i.e. in the direction of extension of the rails, and also any vertical displacement of the rails relative to the support body, i.e. orthogonally to the direction of extension of the rails.

[0028] By these provisions, the grid module according to the invention is particularly advantageous in that it allows one or more posts of a grid module to be erected first, before fixing the connection devices and the surface-mounted grids of said posts.

[0029] When the grid module is used, for example, to construct a shelter having a roof supported by the posts of one or more grid modules, the posts of the one or two grid modules may be erected first, in order to be able to support the roof, and then the shelter may be closed by the surface installation of the grids of the one or more grid modules.

[0030] Such a construction technique using a grid module is particularly advantageous, and is distinguished from known techniques in the art, such as that described in the aforementioned patent application FR3132535, in which the introduction of a stringer into the connection device is done in the general longitudinal direction of the stringer.

[0031] Other particularly convenient and advantageous features of the grid module according to the invention are described below.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, the fixing element comprises a holding plate and at least one fixing member configured to clamp said ends of the rails between the holding plate and the support body.

[0033] This way, the ends of the stringers can be held firmly in the support body, between the branches of the U-shape.

[0034] According to a preferred embodiment, the fixing member passes through the holding plate and the support body to clamp said ends of the rails between the holding plate and the support body.

[0035] Thus, the fixing member allows the holding plate to be tightened against the rails and against the support body.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment, the fixing element comprises two fixing members which are further configured to each pass through one end of the rail, and said rail ends each comprise a through opening, in which one of said two fixing members is respectively received.

[0037] Thus, the rails are also held in translation by complementarity of shape, the fixing member holding each rail in position on the support body.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment, each of said through openings is oblong.

[0039] In this way, the longitudinal play of each rail relative to the support body can be adjusted.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the ends of said rails received in the support body face each other, the holding plate covering the joint between the ends of said rails facing each other and the at least one fixing member enclosing the end of a respective rail between the holding plate and the support body.

[0041] Thus, a single retaining plate allows the two rail ends to be held together, and also allows a gap to be covered between the rail ends, contributing to the aesthetic visual appearance of the grid module.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one rail has a substantially rectangular section and comprises a face along the length of its substantially rectangular section, and the support body is configured to receive said rail end so that said face is substantially parallel to said central portion of the support body.

[0043] Such a configuration advantageously makes it possible to connect rails with a rectangular section which are arranged "flat", that is to say with their face in the length of their rectangular section which is parallel to the ground, unlike known devices which are adapted to connect rails with a rectangular section which are arranged "upright", that is to say with a face in the width of their rectangular section which is parallel to the ground.

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one connection device is fixed to said post by bolting.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment, the transverse bars of said at least two grids form a bar distribution pattern, and the grid module further comprises at least one so-called finishing bar fixed to the at least one connecting device, so as to form a continuous transverse bar distribution pattern along the length of said at least two grids.

[0046] This results in a particularly aesthetic visual impression of the grid module, which has a continuous bar distribution pattern along the length of the grid module.

[0047] The invention also relates, according to a second aspect, to a building, in particular of the bicycle shelter type, comprising a plurality of grid modules as described above.

[0048] The invention also relates, according to a third aspect, to a fence comprising a plurality of grid modules as described above.

[0049] The invention also relates, according to a fourth aspect, to a method of constructing a building comprising a roof and one or more grid modules as described above, comprising the steps of: erecting a plurality of substantially vertical posts, belonging to one or more grid modules; then laying the roof of the building, resting on the plurality of posts; then surface-connecting a plurality of connection devices to said posts; then introducing the ends of the rails of the grids of the grid module(s) into the support bodies of the respective connection devices, in a direction transverse to a general longitudinal direction of the rails; then fixing the rails to the connection devices by means of a fixing element respectively.

[0050] Such a method advantageously makes it possible to construct a building such as a shelter, comprising a roof, by first constructing the posts and the roof, then in a second stage the grids of the grid module(s), unlike known techniques which involve so-called forward installation of the posts and grids. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0051] Other advantages, aims and particular characteristics of the present invention will emerge from the following non-limiting description of at least one particular embodiment of the devices which are the subject of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: There Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a bicycle shelter-type building, comprising a plurality of grid modules according to the invention; The Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the bicycle shelter-type building shown in the Figure 1 ; there Figure 3represents in perspective and in isolation a grid module comprising a post, and two grids aligned and connected together to the post by means of two connecting devices; the Figure 4 is an exploded detail view of a connecting device illustrated in the Figure 3 ; there Figure 5 is a perspective and exploded view of a pole, a connecting device, and a connecting member of the connecting device to the pole; Figure 6 is a block diagram of a process for constructing a building comprising one or more grid modules. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] This description is given without limitation, each characteristic of an embodiment being able to be combined with any other characteristic of any other embodiment in an advantageous manner.

[0053] Please note that the figures are not necessarily to scale.

[0054] THE figures 1 And 2 represent a building 100 of the bicycle shelter type, comprising walls and a roof 101, together defining an interior space, which can for example be used for the storage and parking of bicycles or other vehicles or objects.

[0055] In the illustrated example, the building 100 optionally includes an access door 102, making it possible to securely close the interior space.

[0056] The walls of the building 100 are here formed in whole or in part by grid modules 1 in accordance with the invention.

[0057] Each grid module 1 comprises at least one post 2, at least two grids 3 and at least one connecting device 4 for connecting the grids 3 to the post 2.

[0058] The grids 3 of a grid module 1 are aligned, that is to say they are located in the extension of one another substantially in the same plane.

[0059] In the illustrated example, building 100 has a total of nine grids 3 and ten posts 2.

[0060] The nine grids 3 are for example arranged according to a configuration comprising a grid module 1 comprising three grids 1 and two posts 2 between the grids, corresponding here to a rear wall of the building 100 opposite a front wall comprising the access door 102, and two grid modules 1 each comprising two grids 3 and a post 2 between the grids, corresponding here to the side walls of the building 100.

[0061] The front wall of the building 100 is formed by two grids identical or similar to the grids 3 of the grid modules 1, as well as by the access door 102.

[0062] In addition, four so-called corner posts 103 are arranged respectively in a corner of the building 100, and connect the grid modules 1 to each other as well as to the front wall.

[0063] There Figure 3 represents a grid module 1 taken in isolation.

[0064] The grid module 1 shown comprises a post 2, two grids 3 and two connecting devices 4.

[0065] This is for example a grid module 1 forming a side wall of the building 100 shown in the figures 1 And 2 .

[0066] It is recalled that a grid module can comprise more than two grids, more than one post and more than two connection devices 4.

[0067] Each grid 3 includes at least one rail 5, and here, two rails 5, without this number being limiting.

[0068] Each rail 5 is intended to extend substantially horizontally relative to the ground, and substantially orthogonally to the post 2, which is intended to be arranged substantially vertically relative to the ground.

[0069] The grid 3 further comprises several bars 6 transverse to the at least one rail 5, and which are mechanically fixed there.

[0070] The bars 6 can for example be welded to at least one rail 5.

[0071] The bars 6 can also be fixed on either side of the at least one rail 5, as illustrated in the figures 1 to 3 , or be all fixed on the same side of at least one rail 5.

[0072] The two grids 3 of the grid module 1 are substantially aligned, that is to say that the grids 3 are arranged in the extension of one another, substantially in the same vertical plane.

[0073] Here, each grid 3 is connected to the post 2 by means of two connecting devices 4, in total.

[0074] Generally, the number of connecting devices 4 used to connect a grid 3 to a post 2 is equal to the number of rails 5 that the grid 3 has.

[0075] The connection devices 4 here allow the grids 3 to be surface-mounted on the post 2.

[0076] The so-called outer side of a grid module 1, which corresponds to the exterior of the interior space of the building 100 of the figures 1 And 2 , presents the grids 3 placed in application, and the so-called interior side of a grid module 1, which corresponds to the interior of the interior space of the building 100 of the figures 1 And 2 , presents post 2. Post 2 is thus substantially hidden by the grids 3 in the context of such a surface-mounted installation, seen from the outside.

[0077] There Figure 4represents a detail view of a connecting device 4 used to connect two grids 3 to a post 2 of a grid module 1, as illustrated in Figure 3 .

[0078] The connection device 4 is shown here in an exploded view.

[0079] The connecting device 4 comprises a support body 7 which has a substantially U-shaped cross-section.

[0080] The support body 7 has a central portion 8 of the U shape, and two lateral branches 9 of the U shape, extending from the central portion 8. For example, the branches 9 extend substantially at right angles to the central portion 8.

[0081] In other words, as is clearly visible in the figures, the support body 7 here forms a profile, or a portion of a profile, having a substantially U-shaped cross-section. The profile is itself formed by the central portion 8 and the two branches 9, which are connected one by one to form the U-shape.

[0082] The support body 7 thus has a substantially rectangular tubular shape, open along its length on one of its sides.

[0083] The central portion 8 and the branches 9 are here formed by substantially flat plates made of solid material, but may nevertheless have openings for receiving fixing members as described below.

[0084] The support body 7 is configured to be fixed by one of its branches 9 to the post 2.

[0085] The support body 7 is further configured to receive one end 10 of a rail 5 in the shape of a U, between its two branches 9.

[0086] Here, the rail 5 has a substantially rectangular section. Preferably, the support body is configured to receive the end 10 of a rail 5 by the side of its length, which is taken between the branches of the U-shape. In other words, a face of the rail 5 in the length of its substantially rectangular section is substantially parallel to the central portion 8 of the U-shape of the support body 7.

[0087] In the example illustrated, the support body 7 receives the two ends 10 of two rails 5 each belonging to a different grid 3. The ends 10 of the rails 5 face each other, and are here separated by a space, although they can also be in contact.

[0088] The connecting device 4 further comprises a fixing element 11, or holding element, which is configured to hold the end 10 of a rail 5 on the support body 7, and in particular against the central portion 8.

[0089] In the illustrated example, the fixing element 11 comprises a holding plate 12 and at least one, and in the illustrated example two, fixing members 13 configured to hold the holding plate 12 against the end 10 of the rail 5, and against the support body 7.

[0090] In other words, the fixing member 13 makes it possible to clamp the end 10 of each rail 5 between the holding plate 12 and the support body 7.

[0091] For example, the at least one fastening member 13 is a bolt, comprising a screw and a nut, and optionally a support washer for the nut.

[0092] Preferably, the holding plate 12 covers the joint between the ends 10 of each of the rails 5 which face each other, and makes it possible to jointly hold the two ends 10 of each of the rails 5.

[0093] The end 10 of each rail 5 here comprises a first opening 14 which is through.

[0094] The first opening 14 may for example be oblong in a longitudinal direction of the rail 5, which makes it possible to adjust the longitudinal play of the rail 5.

[0095] The support body 7 comprises at least one second opening 15, and here two second openings 15 (only one second opening 15 being visible on the Figure 4 ), which is also crossing and which is located here on the central portion 8.

[0096] The fixing member 13 passes through the end 10 of each rail 5 and the support body 7. Here the connection device 4 comprises two fixing members 13, to firmly hold each of the two rails 5 on the support body 7.

[0097] The holding plate 12 comprises at least one third through opening 16, here two third through openings 16, through which the fixing member 13 also passes.

[0098] In this way, the fixing member 13 grips the end 10 of each rail 5 between the holding plate 12 and the support body 7.

[0099] According to an alternative not illustrated, the at least one fixing member 13 and the holding plate 12 are in one piece, the at least one fixing member 13 being for example a threaded rod provided with a nut, projecting from the holding plate 12. In such a case, the holding plate 12 may be devoid of third opening(s) 16.

[0100] According to another alternative not illustrated, the connection device 4 comprises a single fixing member 13 not passing through the ends 10 of the rails 5, but passing for example in the space between them, and carrying out the tightening of these between the holding plate 12 and the support body 7. In this alternative, the fixing member 13 can be attached and can for example be a bolt, or be in one piece with the holding plate 12 as described in the alternative not illustrated above.

[0101] Furthermore, the connecting device 4 is mechanically fixed to the post 2 by means of a connecting member 17.

[0102] There Figure 5 represents in exploded view the support body 7 of the connection device 4, the post 2 and the connection member 17.

[0103] One of the branches 9 of the support body 7 has a fourth opening 18 called a connection opening.

[0104] Post 2 includes a fifth opening 19.

[0105] The connecting member 17 passes through the fourth opening 18 and the fifth opening 19, and makes it possible to connect the connecting device 4 to the post 2.

[0106] For example, the connecting member 17 is a bolt, which comprises a screw and a nut, and optionally a support washer for the nut.

[0107] It should be noted that the connecting member 17 is not intended to pass through the rail 5.

[0108] Furthermore, a grid 3 of a grid module 1 can be connected to a corner post 103 by means of a connecting device 4 as described above, with the difference that the support body 7 only receives the end 10 of a single rail 5.

[0109] For this purpose, a corner post 103 can be equipped with a plurality of connection devices 4 as described above, for example four connection devices 4 in the example illustrated in the figures 1 And 2 .

[0110] The corner post 103 can then be provided with a plurality of inserts projecting transversely to the general direction of extension of the corner post 103, each of which makes it possible to mechanically fix a connection device 4 to the post 2 via the fourth opening 18 of the connection device 4. This makes it possible to fix two connection devices 4 at the same height on a corner post 103 while avoiding a crossing of the screws of the connection member 17. The connection device 4 is then devoid of a connection member 17.

[0111] Moreover, as can be seen on the figures 1 to 3, the bars 6 of a grid 3 may have directions of extension relative to the rails 5 which differ substantially from one another, although they may also all extend in the same direction of extension relative to the rails 5, for example a direction of extension substantially orthogonal to the rails 5.

[0112] In the illustrated example, the bars 6 extend transversely to the at least one rail 5 at angles ranging from 0 degrees relative to the normal of the at least one rail 5, i.e. orthogonally to the at least one rail 5, up to approximately 20 degrees relative to the normal of the at least one rail 5.

[0113] The bars 6 thus arranged relative to the rail 5 form a pattern of distribution of the bars in a longitudinal direction of the rail 5, that is to say in the length of the grid 3.

[0114] Preferably, each grid 3 of the grid module 1 has the same distribution pattern of the bars, so that the distribution pattern is periodically repeated at each grid 3, which contributes to a particularly aesthetic visual impression of a construction which is realized by means of the grid modules 1.

[0115] As can be seen on the Figure 3 , the grid module 1 may further comprise at least one so-called finishing bar 20 fixed to at least one of the connection devices 4, between two aligned grids 3, so as to form a pattern of distribution of the bars 6 which is continuous along the length of the grids 3.

[0116] According to a non-illustrated embodiment, the invention also relates to a fence comprising several grid modules 1 as described above.

[0117] Such a fence can be built on the ground or on a low wall, and may include entrance doors and / or gates.

[0118] The invention also relates to a method 200 for constructing a building, illustrated schematically by the block diagram of the Figure 6 , including the following steps: a step 201 of erecting a plurality of substantially vertical posts 2, belonging to one or more grid modules 1, as well as possibly substantially vertical corner posts 103; then a step 202 of laying a roof 101 of the building, resting on the plurality of posts 2 and possibly the corner posts 103; then a step 203 of surface-mountedly connecting a plurality of connection devices 4 to said posts 2, and possibly to the corner posts 103, for example by bolting; then a step 204 of introducing the ends 10 of rails 5 of the grids 3 of the grid module(s) 1 into the support bodies 7 of the connection devices 4, transversely to the general longitudinal direction of the rails 5; then a step 205 of fixing the rails 5 to the connection devices 4 by means of a fixing element 11 respectively.

[0119] It is recalled more generally that the invention is not limited to the examples described and illustrated.

Claims

1. Grid module (1) for a fence or building (100), comprising at least two substantially aligned grids (3), each grid (3) comprising at least one rail (5) and a plurality of transverse bars (6) fixed to the at least one rail (5), the grid module (1) further comprising at least one post (2) and at least one connecting device (4) configured to connect two of said grids (3) to said post (2); characterized in thatthe connecting device (4) comprises a support body (7) forming a profile having a substantially U-shaped cross-section, the support body (7) comprising a central portion (8) and two branches (9) extending on either side from the central portion (8), the support body (7) being configured to be mechanically connected in surface-mounted fashion to said post (2) by one of the branches (9) of the U-shape, as well as to receive one end (10) of a rail (5) of a first of said grids (3) as well as one end (10) of a rail (5) of a second of said grids (3) between the branches (9) of the U-shape; and in that the connecting device (4) further comprises a fixing element (11) configured to hold said ends (10) of rails (5) on the support body (7) against said central portion (8).

2. Grid module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe fixing element (11) comprises a holding plate (12) and at least one fixing member (13) configured to clamp said ends (10) of rails (5) between the holding plate (12) and the support body (7).

3. Grid module (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the fixing member (13) passes through the holding plate (12) and the support body (7) to clamp said ends (10) of rails (5) between the holding plate (12) and the support body (7).

4. Grid module (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the fixing element (11) comprises two fixing members (13) which are further configured to each pass through one end (10) of the rail (5), and in that said ends (10) of rails (5) each comprise a through opening (14), in which one of said two fixing members (13) is received respectively.

5. Grid module (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that each of said through openings (14) is oblong.

6. Grid module (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the ends (10) of said rails (5) received in the support body (7) face each other, the holding plate (12) covering the joint between the ends (10) of said rails (5) facing each other and the at least one fixing member (13) enclosing the end of a respective rail between the holding plate (12) and the support body (7).

7. Grid module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the at least one rail (5) has a substantially rectangular section and comprises a face along the length of its substantially rectangular section, and in thatthe support body (7) is configured to receive said end (10) of the rail (5) so that said face is substantially parallel to said central portion (8) of the support body (7).

8. Grid module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the at least one connecting device (4) is fixed to said post (2) by bolting.

9. Grid module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the transverse bars (6) of said at least two grids (3) form a pattern of distribution of the bars, and in that the grid module (1) further comprises at least one so-called finishing bar (20) fixed to the at least one connecting device (4), so as to form a continuous pattern of distribution of the transverse bars along the length of said at least two grids (3).

10. Building (100), in particular of the bicycle shelter type, characterized in thatit comprises a plurality of grid modules (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Closure characterized in that it comprises a plurality of grid modules (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. Method (200) for erecting a building (100) comprising a roof (101) and one or more grid modules (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps of: - (201) erecting a plurality of substantially vertical posts (2), belonging to one or more grid modules (1); then - (202) laying the roof (101) of the building, resting on the plurality of posts (2); then - (203) surface-connecting a plurality of connection devices (4) to said posts (2); then - (204) introducing the ends (10) of the rails (5) of the grids (3) of the grid module(s) (1) into the support bodies (7) of the respective connection devices (4), in a direction transverse to a general longitudinal direction of the rails (5); then - (205) fix the rails (5) to the connecting devices (4) by means of a fixing element (11) respectively.

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