System for assembling boards on joists

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly device, comprising at least two boards that can be arranged side by side and securing parts for securing the boards to joists. The joists consist of rails which are preferably hollow and which are made, in particular, from aluminium. The securing parts are U shaped with wings that are inserted into a groove provided in the edge of the boards, and they are secured to the joists using nuts. The assembly device can be used to produce flooring or cladding, in particular made from wood. The securing means are not visible, or only slightly visible, once the boards have been assembled.

Description

[0001] Board to joist assembly system

[0002] Technical field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an assembly device, comprising at least two boards capable of being arranged side by side as well as a system for fixing the boards to joists, for example aluminum rails. The assembly device makes it possible to create floors or cladding.

[0004] Introduction

[0005] Document EP 1 452 665 B1 discloses a flooring or cladding system comprising:

[0006] - at least two wooden boards capable of being arranged side by side and each having edges which are provided with grooves extending in the direction of the length of the boards;

[0007] - at least one part for fixing the boards to a support, each part having a U-shaped profile, forming a base and two branches, at the top of each of the branches there is a wing oriented towards the outside of the U, capable of being inserted into the groove of one of the boards.

[0008] Such a system has many advantages. The first is that the fixing means are not or are barely visible once the flooring system is assembled, while allowing the boards to be arranged with a small gap between them, which constitutes a sought-after aesthetic advantage.

[0009] The second advantage lies in the fact that the boards do not need to be drilled or penetrated by fixing means such as nails or screws, which prevents any infiltration or rising of water by capillarity which could cause rapid deterioration of the wood and unwanted degradation of the floor. This second advantage is particularly important in the case of wooden flooring systems for outdoor terraces. When the floor assembly operation is completed, each wing of the fixing parts having undergone elastic deformation, having caused it to be oriented at an angle greater than the angle it had at rest, tends to return to the orientation it had at rest and, in this way, exerts a downward retaining force and pinches the part of the board located under the groove on which said wing rests.In other words, the elasticity of each wing allows a board to be blocked between its support and the support point of said wing without any possible play.

[0010] This system is usually screwed directly onto wooden joists.

[0011] There are flooring systems as described in WO 2015 / 174835 where planks (200) are fixed to hollow rails (100) by means of a fixing piece (1). The fixing pieces comprise a plate (10) which fits into the grooves (202) of the planks. The fixing piece comprises protrusions (12) which grip the upper part of the rail. A rectangular nut (52) fits into a guide slot (108) of the rail. The width F of the slot (108) being less than the diagonal of the nut (52), the rotation of the nut allows the fixing pieces to be held in place.

[0012] This system is not as efficient as the document system

[0013] EP 1 452 665 B1. Summary of the invention

[0014] The present invention aims to provide a system for fixing the flooring or cladding system according to EP 1 452 665 B1 to joists made for example of aluminum rails.

[0015] The subject of the invention is an assembly device comprising at least two boards capable of being arranged side by side (generally parallel) and each having edges which are provided with grooves extending in the direction of the length of the boards; and at least one part for fixing the boards to a support; each part having a U-shaped profile, forming a base and two branches; at least one opening being provided in the base allowing the passage of a means of fixing to the support; at the top of each of the branches there is a wing oriented towards the outside of the U and extending from the branch to a distal part of the wing, each wing being capable of being inserted into the groove of one of the boards;characterized in that the device comprises a nut having the shape of a prism with a hexagonal base, having two longitudinal faces substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart by a width L1, two lateral faces, substantially parallel to each other, and spaced apart by a length L2 and two small faces substantially parallel to each other; the support having a longitudinal upper opening D1, allowing the nut to pass through (L1 < D1); the support comprising at least two parallel vertical walls spaced apart from each other by a distance D2; the nut being able to rotate so that its lateral faces come into abutment on the vertical walls of the support (L2 substantially equal to D2); at least one opening being provided in the nut allowing the passage of a means of fixing to the support. In practice, rounded edges may be provided between the lateral and longitudinal faces.;

[0016] Advantageously, the support has a horizontal retaining slide on which the nut can be placed.

[0017] Preferably, the support comprises two fins extending substantially horizontally at the upper part of the vertical walls towards the upper opening.

[0018] Advantageously, when tightening the screw, the nut rises slightly and comes into contact with the fins of the support.

[0019] The nut has two additional faces and is in the form of a prism with a hexagonal base.

[0020] The nut may have three openings for the passage of screws. In particular, the device will include nuts with a single hole for the passage of a central screw and nuts with two holes allowing the passage of two screws. In practice, three holes are provided and then, depending on the case, the central hole is plugged or the two outer holes are plugged.

[0021] The support is generally a hollow aluminum rail. However, other materials can be used, such as polymeric or composite materials. Depending on the material used, the supports will be hollow or solid, possibly partially hollowed out.

[0022] It may have lugs on its side faces for attaching accessories. Accessories may be provided to secure the entire structure. For example, a reinforcing bracket may be fixed between the lugs for attaching elements to secure the joists together.

[0023] Other accessories can be finishing pieces (for example, finishing plinth) and closure pieces (for example, at the end of the rail).

[0024] In particular, the nut is made of composite material, in order to reduce its manufacturing costs.

[0025] In this case, an internal part containing the threads is made of a hard material, for example stainless steel. And the external part of the nuts is made by plastic overmolding.

[0026] Preferably, the nut has, on its upper face, a raised portion. This has an elongated and rounded shape so as to allow easy removal of the nut from the rail.

[0027] Preferably, the nut is able to rotate between the insertion position in the opening of the support and the clamping position; the angle between the two positions being between 30 and 80 degrees, preferably between 35 and 60 degrees, more preferably between 40 and 50 degrees.

[0028] In the tightening position, the base of the fixing part may leave a slight clearance with the upper part of the nut, which ensures optimum tightening with possible deformation of the upper part of the nut.

[0029] The assembly system may comprise long fixing pieces, comprising two openings in the base, each allowing the passage of a means of fixing to the support. These long fixing pieces have a length L and a width 1, such that the ratio L / l is between 1.5 and 3.5, preferably between 2 and 3. These pieces are intended to connect two boards placed end to end.

[0030] Fasteners are usually made of stainless steel. However, other materials are possible, provided they have sufficient strength and flexibility.

[0031] Advantageously, the boards are made of wood or synthetic composite wood, for example polymer-based or based on wood flour, bamboo, bakelite or fiber cement.

[0032] According to a particular method of execution of the assembly system, the boards have an asymmetrical profile, so that the fixing means is not visible from above.

[0033] With the assembly system according to the invention, the boards can be positioned horizontally to create floors or vertically to create cladding.

[0034] Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

[0035] Brief description of the figures

[0036] Other aspects of the invention will be clarified in the detailed description of particular embodiments of the invention, with reference to the figures, in which: Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views of two embodiments of the nut; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a fastener mounted with a screw on a nut; Fig. 4 is a similar view of a long fastener mounted with two screws on a nut; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a rail on which are mounted two nuts each carrying a fastener; Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the rail; Fig. 7 is a plan view of a nut inserted in the rail; Figs. 8 and 9 show the mounting of the cover boards.

[0037] Detailed description of a particular embodiment of the invention

[0038] Example of realization

[0039] Figs 1 and 2 show a nut 1 whose general shape is a prism with two hexagonal bases. It has six rectangular faces, parallel two by two:

[0040] - longitudinal faces 2, separated by a distance L1;

[0041] - lateral faces 3, separated by a distance L2; and

[0042] - smaller faces 4.

[0043] It is pre-drilled with three threaded holes for the passage of fixing screws.

[0044] In its simple form, illustrated in Fig. 1, the outer holes 5 are plugged and only the central hole 6 is completely drilled for the passage of a screw.

[0045] In its double form, illustrated in fig. 2, the central hole 6 is plugged and the two outer holes 5 are completely drilled for the passage of one screw each.

[0046] Fig. 3 illustrates a fixing part 7a as already described in patent EP 1 452 665 B1 fixed to the nut 1a using a screw 8. It has a U-shaped profile, forming a base 9 and two branches 10. The U being directed with its base resting on the nut and its opening opposite the nut. At the top of each of the branches, extends a wing 11 oriented towards the outside of the U, capable of being inserted into the groove 12 of one of the covering boards 13 (see fig. 8). The wing 11 extends, substantially horizontally, from the branch 10 towards the distal part 14 of the wing 11. To allow the wing to slide in the groove while ensuring good fixing in the groove 12, it can form a boss 15 downwards over its entire length.

[0047] Fig. 4 illustrates a longer fixing piece 7b having two holes for the passage of two screws 8. It is fixed on a nut 1b illustrated in Fig. 2. These long fixing pieces 7b are intended to connect two covering boards 13 placed end to end.

[0048] Fig. 5 illustrates an aluminum rail 16 and two nuts, each carrying a fixing piece 7a.

[0049] The rail 16 has a hollow profile, seen in section in fig 6. It has a substantially square lower part, surmounted by two vertical walls 17; the two vertical walls 17 being separated by a distance D2.

[0050] The upper part of the hollow square profile, substantially horizontal, forms a retaining slide 18 for the nuts 1a, 1b. The two vertical walls 17 are themselves surmounted by substantially horizontal fins 19. The inner edges of each fin 19 are spaced apart by a distance DI and form an upper opening 20 over the entire length of the rail 16.

[0051] The substantially square lower part of the rail 16 consists of two side faces 21, which have lugs 22. These lugs are used to fix additional accessories, such as fastening or finishing parts. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the upper part of the rail 16 with its fins 19.

[0052] In figs 5 and 7, a nut 1a is shown in the two extreme positions: 1) for the insertion of the nut 1a into the opening 20 of the rail, the longitudinal faces 2 of the nut are placed parallel to the edge of the fins 19. The nut can be inserted because the distance L1 between the two longitudinal faces 2 is less than the distance DI between the inner edges of the fins 19.

[0053] 2) Once the nut is inserted, the base 9 of the fixing part rests on the upper part of the rail fins. While screwing in the screw 8, the nut 1a is rotated through an angle of approximately 45° until its lateral faces 3 come into contact with the vertical walls 17 of the upper part of the rail 16.

[0054] Other nut shapes are possible. These include a prismatic shape with a diamond-shaped base. The nut may not be solid; it may be partially hollowed out or have an inverted U shape.

[0055] In the illustrated form, the upper part of the nut has an elongated and rounded elevation 23. The elevation makes it easier to remove the nut from the rail. Thanks to the rounded shape of the elevation 23, the nut will move without catching towards its withdrawal position where its length L1 is in the axis of the opening 20.

[0056] Fig. 8 shows the assembly of the floor or cladding. The following steps are carried out:

[0057] 1) A board 13 is placed on the upper part of the rail 16.

[0058] 2) A fixing piece 7a is partially screwed onto a nut 1a. 3) The nut 1a is inserted through the opening 20 of the rail, its longitudinal faces 2, parallel to the edge of the fins 19 and the base of the fixing piece comes to rest on the upper part of the rail.

[0059] 4) The wing 11 of the fixing part 7a is inserted into the groove 12 of the covering board 13.

[0060] 5) Since screw 8 is not tightened, the fixing part 7a still shows play and the next board 13 can be approached until the 2 e wing 11 is inserted to the bottom of the groove 12 of the second board 13. (fig. 9)

[0061] 6) Tightening is carried out by aiming at screw 8; the nut turns it 45 degrees, its lateral faces 3 come into contact with the vertical walls 17 of the rail and the nut then raises it against the fins 19 of the rail.

[0062] To form a floor or cladding, the operations are repeated along the entire length of the boards and on a set of rails laid parallel to each other. Brackets can be fixed between the rail lugs in order to fix pieces to them to secure the rails to each other and maintain the squareness.

[0063] For the connecting fasteners 7b and the nuts 1b, the assembly must be slightly adapted because the part 7b is held by two screws on the nut 1b. After inserting the nut into the opening of the rail, the assembly is pivoted (1a-7b) before bringing the wing 11 into the groove 12 of the board 13. The tightening thereafter only brings the nut 1b up against the wings 19 of the rail.

[0064] Variants can be imagined without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the nuts can be rounded, that is to say without an edge between the lateral and longitudinal faces. The joists can be made of different materials. Depending on the material used, they could have a solid (or partially hollow) part, surmounted by a rail open at its upper part.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Assembly device comprising - at least two boards (13) capable of being arranged side by side and each having edges which are provided with grooves (12) extending in the direction of the length of the boards (13); - a support (16), - and at least one fixing part (7a, 7b) of the boards (13) to the support (16); each part (7a, 7b) having a U-shaped profile, forming a base (9) and two branches (10); at least one opening being provided in the base (9) allowing the passage of a fixing means (8) to the support (16); at the top of each of the branches (10) there is a wing (11) oriented towards the outside of the U and extending from the branch (10) to a distal part (14) of the wing (8), each wing (8) being able to be inserted into the groove (12) of one of the boards (13); characterized in that the device comprises a nut (1a, 1b) having the shape of a prism with a hexagonal base having two longitudinal faces (2), substantially parallel to each other and two lateral faces (3), substantially parallel to each other; and two small faces (4) substantially parallel to each other; the two longitudinal faces (2) being spaced apart by a distance L1 and the two lateral faces (3) being spaced apart by a distance L2;at least one opening being provided in the nut (1a, 1b) allowing the passage of a fixing means (8) to the support (16); the support (16) being a profile having a longitudinal upper opening (20) having a width Dl, allowing the passage of the nut (L1 < Dl); the support comprising at least two vertical walls (17) parallel and spaced from each other by a distance D2; the nut (1a, 1b) inserted between the two vertical walls (17) being able to rotate so that its; side faces (3) come into abutment on the vertical walls (17) of the support (16).

2. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the support (16) comprises a horizontal retaining slide (18) on which the nut (1a, 1b) can be placed.

3. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the support (16) comprises two fins (19) extending substantially horizontally at the upper part of the vertical walls (17) towards the upper opening (20).

4. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, when tightening the screw (8), the nut (1a, 1b) rises slightly and comes into abutment against the fins (19) of the support.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (9) of the fixing part rests on the upper part of the support (16).

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nut (1a, 1b) has on its upper face a rounded elevation (23) which facilitates the removal of the nut from the rail (16).

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nut (1a, 1b) has three openings for the passage of screws (8).

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (16) is a hollow aluminum rail.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (16) comprises on its lateral faces (21), lugs (22) allowing the attachment of accessories.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nut (1a, 1b) is made of composite material.

11. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that an internal part of the nuts (1a, 1b) comprising the thread, is made of a hard material, for example stainless steel.

12. Device according to any one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the outer part of the nuts (1a, 1b) is produced by plastic overmolding.

13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nut (1a, 1b) is capable of rotating between the position of insertion into the opening (20) of the support (16) and the clamping position; the angle between the two positions being between 30 and 80 degrees, preferably between 35 and 60 degrees.

14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the tightening position, the base (9) of the fixing part (7a, 7b) leaves a slight clearance with the upper part of the nut (1a, 1b), which makes it possible to ensure optimum tightening with possible deformation of the upper part of the nut (1a, 1b).

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