Device for locking a floor or cladding slat

Abstract

TITLE: Device for locking a floor or cladding batten. The present invention relates to a device for locking (10) a floor or cladding batten (1) onto a rail (2) equipped with at least one batten fastener (3) (1), characterized in that it has three sides (11, 12) perpendicular to each other, and comprises: - means for clipping (13, 14, 15) the locking device onto the rail, configured to allow mounting the locking device on the rail around said batten fastener, - a set of locking claws (16) for said batten (1) when it is placed on the rail, arranged on each of the two parallel sides (11) of the locking device, and - a gripping tab (17), arranged on the third side (12) of the locking device, the gripping tab being configured to facilitate the placement of the locking device (10) on the rail (2). Abbreviated figure: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for locking a floor or cladding slat. Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking device for a fastening system of juxtaposed slats used to form a floor, for example a terrace, or cladding. The floor or cladding may be intended for indoor or outdoor use.

[0002] The slats are fixed to a support structure which can be based on parallel elements such as joists or sleepers oriented perpendicular to the axis of the slats. Previous art

[0003] Traditionally, the slats are fixed to the supports using screws. This type of fixing is cumbersome, as it requires, among other things, precise measurements, pre-drilling, additional drilling to countersink the screw heads, etc. Furthermore, installing decking by screwing is a lengthy and tedious process, as each screw must be tightened individually. Finally, another drawback of this type of assembly is aesthetic, since the screws remain visible on the surface of the decking.

[0004] To replace traditional screw fastening, it is known to use fasteners arranged in rows on the supports, in order to fix the juxtaposed slats in a parallel arrangement. The implementation of these fasteners is much easier. They are, for example, placed on the supports and configured so that they can be fixed in recesses provided for this purpose in the underside of the slats.

[0005] By way of example, document FR 3018838 describes a fastening system allowing the fixing of slats.

[0006] However, fastening systems do not always prevent the slats from slipping along their longitudinal axis, for example, when people walking on the terrace transmit a horizontal force to them. In the case of cladding, there is a risk of the slats slipping under the effect of gravity.

[0007] To solve this problem, glue can be used. A bead of glue is then applied to the fasteners before the slats are clipped into place, thus securing the slats.

[0008] This method, however, has drawbacks, including a potentially long adhesive curing time and a risk that the slats may shift during this waiting period. Furthermore, the application temperature range is limited, and there is a risk of performance degradation over time.

[0009] There is therefore a need for a locking device for a floor or cladding slat, on a rail equipped with at least one slat attachment, which makes it possible to secure the position of the slat without harming the aesthetics of the floor or cladding, and prevents any longitudinal translation of it, in a fast, efficient, and durable manner over time. Description of the invention

[0010] These objectives, as well as others which will become clearer later, are achieved using a device for locking a floor or cladding slat onto a rail equipped with at least one slat attachment, characterized in that it has three sides perpendicular in pairs, and that it comprises: - means for clipping the locking device onto the rail, configured to allow the locking device to be mounted on the rail, around said slat attachment, - a set of locking claws for said slat when it is placed on the rail, arranged on each of the two parallel sides of the locking device, and - a gripping tab, arranged on the third side of the locking device, the gripping tab being configured to facilitate the placement of the locking device on the rail.

[0011] The clipping means may include two hooks, disposed near the free ends of the two parallel sides of the locking device, respectively, and configured to be engaged in the rail.

[0012] The clipping means may include at least two stops, disposed under the two parallel sides of the locking device, respectively, and configured to be inserted into the rail.

[0013] The clipping means may include at least one clipping tab, disposed on the third side of the locking device, and configured to bear against the slat attachment.

[0014] The set of claws comprises, for example, between one and fifty claws, preferably between ten and fourteen claws, preferably twelve claws, on each of said two parallel sides of the locking device.

[0015] The locking device can be made of stainless steel.

[0016] Stainless steel can be work-hardened.

[0017] Other materials can however be used, such as other types of hardened point steels.

[0018] The invention also proposes a method for installing a locking device as described above, on a rail equipped with at least one slat attachment, characterized in that it comprises steps consisting of: - position two clipping hooks of the locking device, arranged near the free ends of the two parallel sides of the locking device, respectively, in the rail, around the slat attachment, and - to perform a rotational movement of the locking device relative to the rail, along an axis passing through the two hooks, until said at least one clipping tab of the clipping means, arranged on the third side of the locking device, comes to rest on the slat attachment.

[0019] List of figures

[0020] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description of preferred embodiments, given by way of simple figurative and non-limiting example, and accompanied by the figures, among which: - [Fig.1] is a perspective view of a system for fixing slats of a floor or cladding, according to an embodiment of the invention; - [Fig.2] is a perspective of a locking device for the fastening system of [Fig.1]; - [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view, with the locking device being put in place; - [Fig.4] is a view similar to [Fig.3], with the locking device in place. Detailed description of embodiments of the invention 1. Floor or cladding fixing system

[0021] The flooring or cladding includes a slat fixing system 1. The slat fixing system 1 comprises a rail 2, which may optionally be arranged on a joist (not shown). Fasteners 3 are arranged transversely on the rail 2, at regular intervals.

[0022] The rail 2 has three parallel grooves, a central groove 5 and two lateral grooves 6. These grooves 5 and 6 are rectangular in cross-section, and the central groove 5 has a linear thread on its two vertical faces. The rail 2 has lateral slides 7 on its sides.

[0023] Each fastener 3 comprises a base 8, intended to bear against the upper part of the rail 2, projecting substantially perpendicularly from which a fastening portion 9 extends, the upper part of which has oblique lateral flaps, arrow-shaped in cross-section. The fastening portion 9 is arranged to clip into correspondingly shaped recesses provided in the lower surface of the slats 1, in a manner known per se. 1. Locking device

[0024] The fixing system includes a locking device 10 for a floor or cladding slat 1, to lock the slat 1 on a rail 2 equipped with at least one fastener 3.

[0025] The locking device 10 is a mechanical part having three sides perpendicular to each other in pairs. The locking device has two parallel and identical sides 11 connected to each other by a third side 12 perpendicular to the first two sides IL. Such a mechanical part is sometimes called a "side flange bracket" or "flange".

[0026] The locking device 10 includes means for clipping the locking device 10 onto the rail 2, configured to allow the locking device 10 to be clipped onto the rail 2, around a fastener 3. The clipping means include two hooks 13, disposed near the free ends of the two parallel sides 11 of the device 10, respectively, and configured to be engaged in the rail 2, in one of the lateral slides 7. The two hooks 13 are preferably disposed at the free ends of the two parallel sides 11 of the device 10, respectively.

[0027] The clipping means further comprise at least two stops 14, arranged under the two parallel sides 11 of the device 10, respectively, and configured to be inserted into one of the two lateral grooves 6 of the rail 2. Alternatively, the clipping means may comprise four stops. The position of the stops 14 is determined according to the configuration of the rail 2, so that the stops 14 can be inserted into the lateral groove(s) 6. The stops 14 allow the transmission of force to the rail 2.

[0028] The clipping means further include at least one clipping tab 15, preferably two clipping tabs 15, arranged on the third side 12 of the locking device 10, and configured to bear against the fastener 3, when the device 10 is put in place.

[0029] The locking device 10 comprises a set of locking claws 16 for the slat 1 when it is placed on the rail 2, arranged on each of the two parallel sides 11 of the device 10. The set of claws 16 comprises between one and fifty claws 16, preferably between ten and fourteen claws 16, preferably twelve claws 16, on each of the two parallel sides 11. The number of claws 16 is selected, in particular, according to the hardness of the wood forming the slats 1. The height of each claw 16 is between one and a few millimeters. The longitudinal arrangement of the claws 16 improves the transmission of force.

[0030] The third side 12 of the locking device 10 has a gripping tab 17, configured to facilitate the placement of the locking device 10 on the rail 2.

[0031] The locking device 10 can be made of stainless steel. The stainless steel can be work-hardened. Work-hardening the steel provides a very high yield strength, allowing for smooth clipping and sharp, resistant points to penetrate and grip the slat 1.

[0032] The material chosen is, for example, 301 Cl 150 stainless steel, as defined, for example, in Technical Data Sheet 1.4310 of Notz Metall AG (https: / / www.meta!-rolling-services.fr / nos-produits / inox). The tips of the claws 16, which will penetrate the slat 1, must be hard and have a high yield strength.

[0033] The locking device 10 must also have good resistance to corrosion in an external environment.

[0034] Other materials can be considered, for example carbon steel with hardened tips for example.

[0035] One could also consider a mixture of steel points overmolded on a plastic locking device. 1. Operation

[0036] The steps of a method for installing a locking device 10 on a rail 2 equipped with at least one slat 1 attachment 3 are described below.

[0037] The method includes a positioning step, consisting of positioning the two hooks 13 of the clipping means in the rail 2, around the fastener 3 ([Fig.3]). The hooks 13 thus grip onto the rail 2.

[0038] The method includes a setup step, consisting of rotating the locking device 10 relative to the rail 2, along an axis passing through the two hooks 13, until the two clipping tabs 15, arranged on the third side 12, come into contact with the fastener 3 ([Fig.4]).

[0039] Locking devices 10 are arranged around pre-selected fasteners 3 of the fastening system, for example around fasteners 3 which are arranged at the centers of the slats 1.

[0040] It should be noted that this "gripping" type clip has the advantage of being reversible. A reverse rotation movement allows the locking device 10 to be removed, for example if it has been mistakenly placed around the wrong fastener 3.

[0041] The installation of the locking devices 10 can be carried out before or after the assembly of the rail 2.

[0042] The slats 1 are then put in place by clipping them together. A vertical force is applied to ensure that the claws 16 are driven into the slat 1. This driving forces the slats 1 to be locked in longitudinal translation.

[0043] Longitudinal expansion / contraction of the slats 1 remains possible at the ends. For example, for a terrace with composite slats 1 with large variations in length due to thermal expansion of the slats 1. All the slats 1 of the entire terrace will thus always be perfectly centered and the expansions will be regular at the ends.

[0044] The dismantling of a slat 1 is carried out in a manner known per se, for example using a dismantling key. This dismantling is not hindered by the presence of a locking device 10. The locking device 10 remains on the rail 2.

[0045] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of example; it extends to other variants.

Claims

Demands

1. A locking device (10) for a floor or cladding batten (1) on a rail (2) equipped with at least one batten fastener (3) (1), characterized in that it has three sides (11, 12) perpendicular to each other, and comprises: - clipping means (13, 14, 15) for the locking device on the rail, configured to allow the locking device to be mounted on the rail around said batten fastener, wherein the clipping means comprise two hooks (13) disposed near the free ends of the two parallel sides (11) of the locking device, respectively, and configured to engage with the rail, - a set of locking claws (16) for said batten (1) when it is placed on the rail, disposed on each of the two parallel sides (11) of the locking device, and - a gripping tab (17) disposed on the third side (12) of the blocking device,the gripping lug being configured to facilitate the placement of the locking device (10) on the rail (2).

2. Locking device according to claim 1 wherein the clipping means comprise at least two stops (14), disposed under the two parallel sides (11) of the locking device, respectively, and configured to be inserted into the rail (2).

3. Locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the clipping means comprise at least one clipping tab (15), disposed on the third side (12) of the locking device, and configured to bear against the slat attachment (3).

4. A locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the set of claws (16) comprises between one and fifty claws, preferably between ten and fourteen claws, preferably twelve claws, on each of said two parallel sides (11) of the locking device.

5. Locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the locking device is made of stainless steel.

6. Locking device according to claim 5, wherein the stainless steel is work-hardened.

7. Method of installing a locking device (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, on a rail (2) equipped with less one lath attachment (3), characterized in that it comprises steps consisting of: - position two hooks (13) of the clipping means of the locking device (10), arranged near the free ends of the two parallel sides (11) of the locking device, respectively, in the rail (2), around the slat attachment (3) (1), and - to perform a rotational movement of the locking device relative to the rail, along an axis passing through the two hooks, until said at least one clipping tab (15) of the clipping means, arranged on the third side of the locking device, comes into contact with the slat attachment.

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