Composite wood privacy screen for trellis fencing

Abstract

The composite wood-based privacy slat with a brushed surface finish has a constant cross-section and comprises two faces (20a; 20b) which are mainly flat, each defining a principal front plane (P), and which are located on either side of a front plane (P1) at mid-thickness of the privacy slat, two longitudinal edges (20c; 20d) which connect the two faces (20a; 20b) of the privacy slat, without protruding from the principal front planes (P). The occultation blade exhibits at least one of the following asymmetry characteristics (a) or (b): (a) the transverse profile of both faces and both longitudinal edges of the occultation blade is asymmetrical with respect to a frontal plane (P1) at mid-thickness, or (b) the transverse profile of both faces and both longitudinal edges of the occultation blade is asymmetrical with respect to the sagittal plane (P2) at mid-width of the occultation blade. Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Composite wood-based privacy screen for trellis fencing technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of rigid or flexible mesh fences comprising privacy slats. Previous art

[0002] A wire mesh fence is made up of mesh panels that can be rigid or flexible. A rigid mesh panel is generally made up of a welded assembly of rigid vertical and horizontal metal wires or bars. A flexible mesh panel is a flexible wire mesh and is most often rollable.

[0003] Mesh panels, whether rigid or flexible, have openwork mesh and therefore have the disadvantage of not blocking the view through the fence. For this reason, various types of privacy slats (also commonly called privacy strips) have been developed to date, which can be inserted vertically into a rigid mesh panel and / or a flexible mesh panel. The privacy slats can be rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible and can be positioned vertically in the same plane within the rigid or flexible mesh panel, either side-by-side or slightly spaced apart.

[0004] A type of privacy screen that is prized in particular for its aesthetic and resistance characteristics consists of a privacy screen made from composite wood.

[0005] Composite wood is known to be a mixture based on wood fibers and thermoplastic polymer(s), for example polyethylene (PE), and preferably high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Composite wood gives the privacy slat a modern and natural appearance and provides a warm finish similar to solid wood. However, unlike solid wood, composite wood privacy slats require relatively little maintenance and are very resistant, particularly to weather conditions.

[0006] A composite wood privacy slat can advantageously be manufactured by mono-extrusion followed by cutting to the desired length of each extruded slat.

[0007] A wood composite privacy slat can also be manufactured by co-extrusion, so as to obtain a wood composite privacy slat covered at least on each of its two faces with a layer of thermoplastic polymer.

[0008] In both cases (mono-extrusion or co-extrusion), in order to give them an appearance More natural and less plastic, both sides of the extruded wood-based composite privacy slats are preferably and usually brushed lengthwise, in order to obtain a brushed surface finish resulting in a structured and non-smooth effect on both sides.

[0009] European patent application EP 3 249 139 describes a particular variant of a privacy slat for a wire mesh fence, which can advantageously be manufactured by extrusion. The slat further has a through hole near its upper end to allow for hanging.

[0010] French patent application FR 2 945 064 describes another particular variant of a privacy slat for a wire mesh fence having at its upper end a retaining stop that is transverse and protrudes from one of its two faces. Due to the presence of this retaining stop, this privacy slat cannot be manufactured by extrusion, but must, for example, be manufactured by injection molding, which, compared to extrusion, significantly reduces the production rate and significantly increases production costs.

[0011] European patent application EP 3 660 244 describes another particular variant of a privacy slat for a wire mesh fence having two opposing longitudinal edges in the form of longitudinal ridges projecting from one of the two faces of the privacy slat. In one variant, these two longitudinal ridges each have two transverse notches designed to cooperate with a retaining wedge positioned on the wire mesh panel of the fence. This privacy slat can be manufactured by extrusion. However, the projecting longitudinal ridges detract from the aesthetics of the privacy slat and, more importantly, are practically incompatible with brushing the face of the privacy slat from which they project.

[0012] When examining a composite wood privacy slat with both sides brushed, there is usually no significant visual difference to the naked eye between the two sides of the slat. However, after installing a trellis fence composed of several privacy slats, similar for example to those described in the aforementioned European patent application EP 3 249 139, made of composite wood and brushed on both sides, it was observed that each side of the trellis fence most often presented a non-uniform visual appearance detrimental to the aesthetics of the trellis fence, and in particular exhibited different color nuances visible to the naked eye. Objective of the invention

[0013] The invention aims to provide a new wood-based composite privacy slat for trellis fencing, which can be manufactured by extrusion (mono-extrusion or co-extrusion), and whose two faces have a surface finish brushed and which allows to reduce, and preferably eliminate, the aforementioned defects of homogeneity. Summary of the invention

[0014] The invention thus relates to a wood-based composite privacy slat for a trellis fence. The privacy slat has a constant cross-section and comprises two faces which are mainly flat, each defining a principal frontal plane (P), and which are located on either side of a frontal plane (PI) at mid-thickness of the privacy slat, and two longitudinal edges which connect the two faces of the privacy slat, without projecting from the principal frontal planes (P). Both faces have a brushed surface finish and the blackout blade has at least one of the following asymmetry characteristics (a) or (b): (a) the cross-section of the blackout blade is asymmetric with respect to the frontal plane (PI) at mid-thickness of the blackout blade or (b) the cross-section of the blackout blade is asymmetric with respect to a sagittal plane (P2) at mid-width of the blackout blade.

[0015] In this text, the terms "blackout blade" are synonymous with the terms "blackout slat" also commonly used for this type of product.

[0016] In this text, the term "composite wood" refers to any mixture comprising wood fibers and one or more thermoplastic polymers, the wood fibers preferably, but not exclusively, constituting the majority (i.e., at least 50% by weight). The mixture may also contain additives or adjuvants.

[0017] In this text, the term "mainly planar face" means a face whose greater part is planar and defines said principal frontal plane, and preferably whose surface is at least 90% planar and defines said principal frontal plane.

[0018] In the present text, the "cross-section" of the occultation blade can also and interchangeably be referred to by the synonymous terms "cross-section" of the occultation blade.

[0019] In this text, the term "cross-sectional profile" of a longitudinal edge or face of the shading blade refers to the cross-sectional profile (or equivalently, the cross-sectional profile) of the longitudinal edge or face of the shading blade in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the length of the shading blade.

[0020] The brushed surface finish on both sides of the privacy slat gives them a textured, rather than smooth, appearance. This brushed surface finish is typically achieved by a post-extrusion mechanical surface treatment of both sides of the privacy slat, such as brushing both sides of the slat to a greater or lesser depth and along the length of the slats.

[0021] Without being bound by this interpretation, the aforementioned defects of homogeneity, which have been observed with the brushed composite wood blackout blades of the prior art, would be generated by differences between the brushed effects of the two faces of the blackout blade.

[0022] In the invention, the aforementioned asymmetry characteristic (a) or (b) advantageously allows at least the two faces of the occultation blades to be differentiated.

[0023] In particular, this differentiation of the two faces advantageously allows an operator, during the surface finishing stage, by brushing the two faces or equivalent, to pass the blackout blades through the brushing machine with the same orientation of the faces of the blackout blades.

[0024] This differentiation of the two faces also allows the installer of the mesh fence to install the privacy slats with the same orientation of the slat faces. Thus, the faces of the privacy slats corresponding to each face of the mesh fence have the same brushed effect. This makes it possible to reduce, and preferably in most cases eliminate, the aforementioned inconsistencies in uniformity.

[0025] More particularly, the blackout blade of the invention may include the following additional and optional features, each additional and optional feature being able to be combined with any of the other technical features of the blackout blade: - The occultation blade has both characteristics (a) and (b). - The transverse profile of at least one of the longitudinal edges is asymmetrical with respect to the frontal plane (PI) at mid-thickness. - The transverse profile of each longitudinal edge is asymmetrical with respect to the frontal plane (PI) at mid-thickness. - the transverse profiles of the two longitudinal edges are identical and symmetrical to each other with respect to a sagittal plane (P2) at mid-width. - The occultation blade has at least the characteristic (a) and said longitudinal edge with asymmetrical transverse profile or each longitudinal edge with asymmetrical transverse profile has a chamfer at the junction with one of the two blade faces. - The occultation blade has at least the characteristic (a) and said longitudinal edge with asymmetrical transverse profile or each longitudinal edge (20c; 20d with asymmetrical transverse profile forms a bevel. - The width (e) of the chamfer or beveled cross profile, measured in the direction (X) of the width of the shading blade, is less than or equal to the thickness (E) of the shading blade. - The cross-sectional profiles of the two longitudinal edges are different. - The occulting blade has at least characteristic (b) and one of the edges longitudinal is rounded. - The shading blade has at least characteristic (a) and the two faces of the shading blade have different transverse profiles. - One of the two faces has a longitudinal and off-center groove. - Both faces are completely flat and parallel. - The blackout blade has a through hole near one of its two ends. - The through hole is centered with respect to a sagittal plane (P2) at mid-width. - The privacy slat is made of composite wood and is mono-extruded. - The occultation blade is full. - The occultation blade has an alveolar structure. - Composite wood comprises wood fibers mixed with at least one thermoplastic polymer selected from the following group: polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC). - The thickness (E) of the privacy slat is between 2mm and 6mm.

[0026] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a plurality of the aforementioned privacy slats, in which at least one composite wood material is extruded through an extrusion die and cutting operations are carried out to obtain semi-finished privacy slats of the same length, the extrusion die being adapted to obtain semi-finished privacy slats having said characteristic (a) and / or said characteristic (b) and having a downstream end and an upstream end, and in which both faces of the semi-finished privacy slats are brushed along their length to give them a brushed surface finish.

[0027] Preferably the brushing operation is carried out by introducing, between at least two brushes, all the semi-finished blackout blades by the same upstream or downstream end and by orienting the faces of the semi-finished blackout blades in the same direction with respect to the brushes, and all the semi-finished blackout blades are passed between the brushes and oriented so as to brush longitudinally the two faces of the semi-finished blackout blades.

[0028] More particularly in a particular implementation of this process, a through hole is drilled near the same downstream or upstream end of the shading blades, and preferably centered with respect to a sagittal plane at mid-width of the shading blade, this drilling operation being able to be carried out before or after brushing the semi-finished shading blades.

[0029] The invention also relates to an assembly for installing a trellis fence comprising several of the aforementioned privacy slats or obtained by implementing the the aforementioned manufacturing process, the blackout blades preferably having identical cross-sections.

[0030] More particularly, said assembly of the invention may include the following additional and optional features, each additional and optional feature being able to be combined with any of the other technical features of said assembly: - The said assembly includes at least one rigid or flexible mesh panel. - Each blackout blade has a through hole near one of of its two ends and preferably centered with respect to a sagittal plane (P2) at mid-width, and said assembly includes at least one assembly piece comprising one or more protruding attachment elements which are suitable for passing through the hole through the blackout slats. - Said assembly includes at least one finishing rail adapted to be fitted onto the top of the lattice panel so as to assemble with the lattice panel at least one assembly piece placed on the upper wire or bar of the lattice panel.

[0031] The invention also relates to a method for installing a trellis fence in which at least one trellis panel is placed vertically and several of the aforementioned privacy slats, or slats obtained by implementing the aforementioned manufacturing process, are positioned vertically in the trellis panel, the privacy slats having the same orientation.

[0032] The invention also relates to the use of the aforementioned opacity blades or those obtained by implementing the aforementioned manufacturing process, to obscure at least part of a trellis fence panel. Brief description of the drawings

[0033] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of several embodiments according to the invention, which detailed description is given by way of non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples of the invention and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - [Fig.1] Fig.1 is an overview showing an example of a trellis fence comprising a trellis panel partially obscured by means of three obscuring blades conforming to a first embodiment of the invention. - [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is an enlargement of the trellis fence of the [Fig.1] showing, in exploded view, the upper part of the lattice panel with the three blackout blades of [Fig. 1], a blade attachment strip blackout curtain and a finishing strip. [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is an isometric perspective view of an occultation blade, before brushing, which conforms to the said first embodiment variant. [Fig.3A] The [Fig.3A] is a front view of the occulting blade of the [Fig.3] [Fig.3B] [Fig.3B] is an enlargement, front view, of the upper part of the occultation blade of [Fig.3A]. [Fig. 3C] Fig. 3C is a top view of the occulting blade of the [Fig.3A] [Fig.4A] The [Fig.4A] is a front view of an occultation blade, before brushing, according to a second variant of the invention. [Fig.4B] [Fig.4B] is an enlargement, front view, of the upper part of the occultation blade of [Fig.4A]. [Fig.4C] The [Fig.4C] is a first example in top view of the occultation blade of the [Fig.4A]. [Fig.4D] The [Fig.4D] is a second example in top view of the occultation blade of the [Fig.4A]. [Fig.5A] The [Fig.5A] is a front view of an occultation blade, before brushing, according to a third embodiment of the invention. [Fig.5B] The [Fig.5B] is an enlargement, in front view, of the upper part of the occultation blade of the [Fig.5A]. [Fig. 5C] [Fig. 5C] is a top view of the occulting blade of the [Fig.5A]. [Fig.ôA] The [Fig.ôA] is a front view of an occultation blade, before brushing, according to a fourth variant of the invention. [Fig.ôB] [Fig.ôB] is an enlargement, front view, of the upper part of the occultation blade of [Fig.ôA]. [Fig.ôC] [Fig.ôC] is a top view of the occulting blade of [Fig.ôA], [Fig.7A] The [Fig.7A] is a front view of an occultation blade, before brushing, according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. [Fig.7B] [Fig.7B] is an enlargement, front view, of the upper part of the occultation blade of [Fig.7A]. [Fig.7C] The [Fig.7C] is a first example in top view of the occultation blade of the [Fig.7A]. [Fig.7D] The [Fig.7D] is a second example in top view of the occultation blade of the [Fig.7A]. - [Fig.8A] The [Fig.8A] is a front view of an occultation blade, before brushing, according to a sixth variant of the invention. - [Fig.8B] The [Fig.8B] is an enlargement, in front view, of the upper part of the occultation blade of the [Fig.8A]. - [Fig.8C] The [Fig.8C] is a top view of the occultation blade of the [Fig.8A]. - [Fig.9A] The [Fig.9A] is a front view of an occultation blade, before brushing, according to a seventh variant of the invention. - [Fig.9B] The [Fig.9B] is an enlargement, in front view, of the upper part of the occultation blade of the [Fig.9A]. - [Fig.9C] The [Fig.9C] is a first example in top view of the occultation blade of the [Fig.9A]. - [Fig.9D] The [Fig.9D] is a second example, a top view of the occulting blade of the [Fig.9A] - [Fig. 10] The [Fig. 10] illustrates the main steps of a first variant of the realization of a manufacturing process for an occultation blade according to the invention. - [Fig.l 1] The [Fig.l 1] illustrates the main steps of a second variant of the realization of a manufacturing process for an occultation blade according to the invention. Detailed description Example of a trellis fence - Fig. 1 to Fig. 3

[0034] Figure 1 shows a particular example of a trellis fence. This trellis fence comprises a trellis panel 1 with openwork mesh, into which are vertically inserted privacy slats 2A conforming to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0035] In [Fig.2], the occultation blades 2A are aligned in the horizontal X direction, being coplanar and slightly spaced apart from each other.

[0036] Alternatively, in particular with other types of open-mesh lattice panels, the 2A blackout blades can be aligned in the horizontal X direction by being coplanar and juxtaposed edge to edge.

[0037] In the particular variant of [Fig.1], this lattice panel 1 is more particularly made up of a rigid welded mechanical assembly of horizontal metal bars or wires 10, 10', 10" and vertical metal bars or wires 11.

[0038] More particularly in this specific embodiment, each vertical bar or wire 11 has two V-shaped folds 11a, 11b respectively at the top and bottom. This The type of panel with fold(s) may also include a single V-fold or more than two V-folds.

[0039] Figures 3A to 3C, 4A to 4D, 5A to 5C, 6A to 6C, 7A to 7D, 8A to 8C, 9A to 9D show different variants of extruded and semi-finished occultation blade, i.e. before brushing both faces of the occultation blade.

[0040] Blackout blade 2A before brushing - Characteristic (a)- [Fig.3] and [Fig.3A] to [Fig.3C]

[0041] The 2A blackout blade is a solid, slender board made of composite wood.

[0042] This privacy slat 2A is manufactured by mono-extrusion of a wood composite material through an extrusion die. The cross-section ([Fig.3C]) of this privacy slat 2A is thus constant and corresponds to the cross-section of the extrusion die through which the material is pushed.

[0043] In another embodiment, the privacy slat can also be manufactured by co-extrusion of a wood composite material and at least one additional thermoplastic polymer allowing, in a manner known per se, the formation of a protective and / or decorative layer on the surface of the privacy slat.

[0044] The occultation blade 2A extends longitudinally (Y axis) over a length L1, and has transversely a width L2 (X axis) and a constant thickness E (Z axis).

[0045] Within the framework of the invention, the thickness E of the composite wood shading blade of the invention can be more or less significant, the shading blade of the invention being able to be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible.

[0046] The thickness E of the obscuring blade is preferably, but not necessarily, between 2mm and 6mm.

[0047] The occultation blade 2A has two opposite faces 20a and 20b ([Fig.3C]) and two opposite longitudinal edges 20c and 20d.

[0048] The two faces 20a and 20b ([Fig. 3C]) are completely flat and parallel and therefore present a straight transverse profile in a transverse plane (plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y corresponding to the length of the blade). These two flat faces 20a, 20b are located on either side of the frontal plane PI at mid-thickness.

[0049] With reference to [Fig.3C], the two flat faces 20a and 20b each define a principal frontal plane P. The occultation blade 2A allows us to define a frontal plane PI at mid-thickness of the blade (i.e., a plane which is parallel to the frontal plane P, which extends longitudinally in the direction (Y) of the length of the blade, which extends laterally in the direction (X) of the width of the blade and which is centered on the thickness E of the blade) and a sagittal plane P2 at mid-width of the blade (i.e., a plane which is perpendicular to the frontal plane PI, which extends longitudinally in the direction (Y) of the length of the blade and which is centered on the width L2 of the blade).

[0050] The two opposing longitudinal edges 20c and 20d extend ([Fig. 3A]) along the entire length L1 of the occultation blade. The two longitudinal edges 20c, 20d connect the two faces 20a and 20b of the occultation blade, without projecting from the principal frontal plane P of each face 20a and 20b.

[0051] The cross-section of the occultation blade 2A (or in other words the cross-section of the occultation blade) in a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y which corresponds to the length of the blade, is asymmetric with respect to the frontal plane PI [i.e. characteristic (a)].

[0052] In this particular embodiment, this asymmetry is obtained by means of two longitudinal edges 20c and 20d, which are identical and symmetrical to each other with respect to the sagittal plane P2 at mid-width, but whose transverse profile ([Fig.3C]) is asymmetrical with respect to the frontal plane PI at mid-thickness.

[0053] More particularly in this variant, each longitudinal edge 20c and 20d has a broken transverse profile consisting of a straight part 200 which extends from the face 20b and perpendicular to the frontal plane PI, and which extends to the other face 20a by a chamfer 201 giving said asymmetry to the longitudinal edge.

[0054] The width e ([Fig.3C]) of each chamfer 201, measured in the direction (X) of the width of the blade is less than the thickness E of the occultation blade.

[0055] Preferably, this chamfer 201 forms an angle Al of 45° with respect to the frontal plane PL

[0056] In another embodiment, this angle Al can be an acute angle having a value other than 45°. Nevertheless, it is preferable that the width e ([Fig.3C]) of each chamfer 201 be less than or equal to the thickness E of the obscuring blade.

[0057] With reference to [Fig. 2], the privacy slats 2A are mounted on the lattice panel 1 with the same orientation of their faces, i.e., with their faces 20a facing and visible from one side of the lattice fence and their faces 20b facing and visible from the other side of the lattice fence. This orientation of the privacy slats is made possible by the aforementioned asymmetry of the longitudinal edges 20c and 20d (i.e., in this particular variant, by their chamfers 201), which allows the installer to easily distinguish the two faces 20a and 20b from each other.

[0058] The aforementioned asymmetry of the longitudinal edges 20c and 20d also allows the manufacturer to differentiate the two faces 20a and 20b from each other upstream, in particular during the implementation of the surface finishing step (brushing) of the two faces.

[0059] These chamfers 201 are discreet and do not detract from the aesthetics of the trellis fence. On the contrary, the symmetry of the two chamfers 201 with respect to the sagittal plane P2 contributes to improving the aesthetics of the privacy slat.

[0060] With reference to Figures 3, 3A and 3B, the occulting blade 2A comprises Preferably a through hole 21 made near its upper end and preferably centered with respect to the sagittal plane P2 at mid-width. This through hole 21 can have any cross-section and can, for example, be circular or oblong.

[0061] With reference to [Fig. 2], the shading blades 2A are fixed at the top to the lattice panel 1 by means of a straight, strip-shaped assembly piece 3. This assembly piece 3 has a plurality of hooking elements 31 projecting on one of its faces 30a and aligned in the direction (X) of the width of the blades, being spaced apart.

[0062] Each of the attachment elements 31a more particularly has the shape of a hook. In another embodiment, an attachment element 31 may have another shape, and in particular the shape of a cylindrical lug.

[0063] The assembly piece 3 is placed on the top bar or wire 10" of the lattice panel 1. Each privacy slat is hooked onto one of the hooking elements 31 passed through the through hole 21 of the privacy slat 2A. The hooking element 31 thus allows the privacy slat to be held vertically.

[0064] Once the blackout slats 2A have been threaded onto the lattice panel 1 and attached to the assembly piece 3 which is placed on the lattice panel 1, a finishing rail 4 is fitted onto the top of the lattice panel 1 and onto the assembly piece 3, so as to assemble the assembly piece 3 with the lattice panel 1, as described in more detail in European patent application EP 3 249 139, to which reference may be made.

[0065] Independently and in addition to its function of attaching the blackout blade 2A to the assembly piece 3, and by virtue of its eccentric longitudinal position (Y direction), the through hole 21 also serves as a keying device by allowing the two ends (upper and lower) of the blackout blade 2A to be differentiated from one another.

[0066] Other examples of 2B to 2G blackout blades according to the invention will now be described.

[0067] Occlusion blade 2B before brushing -Characteristic (a)-[Fig.4A] to [Fig.4D]

[0068] The occultation blade 2B of figures 4A to 4C differs from the occultation blade 2A previously described in that ([Fig.4C]) the two longitudinal edges 20c and 20d each form a bevel 202 connecting the two faces 20a and 20b and oriented at an angle Al with respect to the front plane PI at mid-thickness.

[0069] The cross-section of the occultation blade 2B is thus asymmetrical with respect to the frontal plane PI [i.e. characteristic (a)], the straight cross-sectional profile of each longitudinal edge in the form of a bevel 202 being asymmetrical with respect to the frontal plane PI at mid-thickness.

[0070] Preferably, for aesthetic reasons, these two bevels 202 are symmetrical to each other with respect to the sagittal plane P2 at mid-width, and their angle Al is more preferably equal to 45.

[0071] In another embodiment, the angle Al can be an acute angle having a value other than 45°. However, it is preferable that the angle Al be less than or equal to 45° so that the width e ([Fig.4C]) of each longitudinal edge 20c and 20d in bevel, measured in the direction (X) of the width of the blade, is less than or equal to the thickness E of the occultation blade.

[0072] With reference to [Fig.4C], optionally, each junction between face 20b and each bevelled longitudinal edge 20c, 20d is a sharp edge, as is each junction between the other face 20a and each bevelled longitudinal edge 20c, 20d.

[0073] In another variant, such as that illustrated in [Fig.4D], each junction between the face 20b and each longitudinal edge 20c, 20d in the shape of a bevel is an edge which can be rounded (radius of curvature R).

[0074] In the same way as for the chamfers 201 of the privacy slat 2A, the two beveled longitudinal edges allow the installer to easily distinguish the two faces 20a and 20b from each other, and thus enable them to install the privacy slats 2B in the mesh panel 1 with the same orientation of their faces 20a and 20b. The two beveled longitudinal edges also allow the manufacturer to differentiate the two faces 20a and 20b from each other, particularly during the surface finishing step (brushing) of the two faces.

[0075] Occulting blade 2C before brushing -Feature (b)-[Fig.5A] to [Fig.5C]

[0076] The occulting blade 2C of figures 5A to 5C differs from the occulting blade 2A previously described in that the cross-section ([Fig.5C]) of the blade is symmetric with respect to the frontal plane PI at mid-thickness, but is asymmetric with respect to the sagittal plane P2 at mid-width [i.e. characteristic (b)].

[0077] More particularly, this asymmetry is obtained by means of two longitudinal edges 20c and 20d which each have a transverse profile symmetric with respect to the frontal plane PI, but whose transverse profiles are different.

[0078] More specifically, in this example, the longitudinal edge 20c is rounded and has a curved profile centered and symmetrical with respect to the frontal plane PI, and more specifically in the shape of an arc of a circle. The longitudinal edge 20d is a straight edge whose transverse profile is rectilinear and perpendicular to the frontal plane PL

[0079] The different profiles of the two longitudinal edges 20c and 20d allow the installer to differentiate them from one another and thus enable him to install the privacy slats 2C in the lattice panel 1 with the same orientation of their longitudinal edges 20c and 20d, the curved longitudinal edges 20c all being oriented by For example, the slats can be angled to the left (or right) when viewed from one side of the mesh fence. This same orientation of the longitudinal edges allows the 2C privacy slats to be installed in the mesh panel 1 with the same orientation of their faces 20a and 20b. The different profiles of the two longitudinal edges 20c and 20d also allow the manufacturer to differentiate the two faces 20a and 20b from each other, particularly during the surface finishing (brushing) stage of both faces.

[0080] 2D blackout blade before brushing - Characteristics (a) and (b)-[Fig.6A] to [Fig.6C]

[0081] The 2D occultation blade of Figures 6A to 6C differs from the 2A occultation blade previously described in that ([Fig.5C]) the cross-section of the blade is asymmetric with respect to the frontal plane PI at mid-thickness [i.e. characteristic (a)] and is also asymmetric with respect to the sagittal plane P2 at mid-width [i.e. characteristic (b)].

[0082] More particularly, this double asymmetry is obtained on the one hand by means of a longitudinal edge 20c whose transverse profile ([Fig.ôC]) is asymmetrical with respect to the frontal plane PI at mid-thickness and on the other hand by having two longitudinal edges 20c and 20d which have different transverse profiles.

[0083] More particularly, in this example, the longitudinal edge 20c is identical to the longitudinal edge 20c of the occultation blade 2A and has the same chamfer 201 and the longitudinal edge 20d is a straight edge identical to the longitudinal edge 20d of the occultation blade 2C.

[0084] In another similar variant, the cross-sectional profile of the longitudinal edge 20d could also be asymmetrical with respect to the frontal plane PI, provided that the cross-sectional profiles of the longitudinal edges 20c and 20d are different.

[0085] This double asymmetry has the advantage of allowing the manufacturer of the blackout slats and the installer to differentiate not only the two faces 20a and 20b from each other, but also to differentiate the two ends of the blackout slats, before the through hole 21 is drilled in the blackout slat and / or without it being necessary to make a through hole 21 in the blackout slat.

[0086] More particularly, this double asymmetry allows the manufacturer to handle the blackout blades and introduce them into a surface finishing machine, such as a brushing machine, by more easily verifying and ensuring that all the blackout blades are introduced with the same orientation of their faces 20a and 20b with respect to the surface finishing machine and by being introduced into the surface finishing machine always by the same end of the blade.

[0087] 2E blackout blade before brushing - Features (a) and (b) - [Fig. 7A] to [Fig.7C]

[0088] Like the occultation blade 2D, the cross-section of the occultation blade 2E of figures 7A to 7C is ([Fig.7C]) is asymmetric with respect to the frontal plane PI at mid-thickness [i.e. characteristic (a)] and is also asymmetric with respect to the sagittal plane P2 at mid-width [i.e. characteristic (b)].

[0089] More particularly, this double asymmetry is obtained on the one hand by means of a longitudinal edge 20c whose transverse profile ([Fig.7C]) is asymmetrical with respect to the frontal plane PI at mid-thickness and on the other hand by implementing two longitudinal edges 20c and 20d which have different transverse profiles.

[0090] More particularly, in this example, the beveled longitudinal edge 20c is identical to the longitudinal edge 20c of the occultation blade 2B and the longitudinal edge 20d is a straight edge which is identical to the longitudinal edge 20d of the occultation blade 2C.

[0091] With reference to [Fig.7C], optionally, the junction between face 20b and beveled longitudinal edge 20c is a sharp edge, as is the junction between the other face 20a and beveled longitudinal edge 20c.

[0092] In another variant, such as that illustrated in [Fig.7D], the junction between the face 20b and the beveled longitudinal edge 20c is an edge which can be rounded (radius of curvature R).

[0093] 2F blackout blade before brushing - Characteristics (a) and (b)-[Fig.8A] to [Fig.8C]

[0094] Like the occultation blade 2D, the cross-section of the occultation blade 2F of figures 8A to 8C is asymmetrical ([Fig.8C]) with respect to the frontal plane PI at mid-thickness [i.e. characteristic (a)] and is also asymmetrical with respect to the sagittal plane P2 at mid-width [i.e. characteristic (b)].

[0095] More particularly, in this variant, each longitudinal edge is symmetrical with respect to the frontal plane PI and the two longitudinal edges are identical and symmetrical with respect to the sagittal plane P2.

[0096] The double asymmetry referred to above [characteristics (a) and (b)] is obtained in this variant by a longitudinal and eccentric groove 203 which is made in one 20a of the two faces of the occultation blade 2F.

[0097] In this variant, the two faces 20a and 20b are flat except for this groove 203, the flat parts of each face 20a and 20b, on either side of this groove 203, defining the main front plane P.

[0098] Optionally, this groove 203 has an inverted V-shaped triangular cross-section and is as wide (L3) as it is deep (El). In another embodiment, the groove 203 could be deeper (El) than it is wide (L3) or conversely wider than it is deep.

[0099] 2G blackout blade before brushing -Features (a) and (b)-[Fig.9A] to [Fig.9D]

[0100] The occultation blade 2G of figures 9A to 9C differs from the occultation blade 2F only by the geometry, in the shape of an inverted U, of the transverse profile of the longitudinal and eccentric groove 203' which is made in one 20a of two faces of the occultation blade 2G.

[0101] On [Fig.9C], the groove 203' is as wide (L3) as it is deep (El).

[0102] On [Fig.9D], groove 203' is deeper (El) than it is wide (L3).

[0103] In another variant, the groove 203' can be wider (L3) than deep (El).

[0104] Manufacturing processes for blackout blades - [Fig. 10] and [Fig. 11]

[0105] With reference to [Fig. 10], the manufacture of the shading blades 2A to 2G is carried out in the first stage (step SI) by extruding a wood composite material or by co-extruding a wood composite material and at least one thermoplastic polymer through an extrusion die whose material passage cross-section is identical to the transverse profile ([Fig. 3C], 4C, 4D, 5C, 6C, 7C, 7D, 8C, 9C or 9D) of the shading blade before brushing 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F or 2G

[0106] Then, immediately after exiting the extrusion die and continuing from the extrusion step, successive cross-sectional cuts are made in the usual way (step S2) to form semi-finished (unbrushed) blackout strips of length Ll. The cuts can be straight and perpendicular to the direction of the length of the strips or can optionally be inclined, for example at 45°, so as to obtain beveled edges at both ends of the strips.

[0107] These semi-finished blackout blades can be temporarily stored for the subsequent S3 and S4 finishing operations to be carried out later, possibly at another manufacturing site.

[0108] Preferably, for blackout blades exhibiting a single asymmetry characteristic (a) or (b), the semi-finished blades are stored in such a way that, for each blackout blade, its downstream end, which is the first exit of the extrusion die, can be differentiated from its upstream end, which is the last exit of the extrusion die. This differentiation can be achieved by temporarily storing the semi-finished blackout blades oriented in the same direction. Alternatively, this differentiation can be achieved by applying a temporary distinguishing mark to each semi-finished blackout blade, such as, for example, an erasable chalk line or a removable adhesive sticker, allowing the downstream (or upstream) end of each blackout blade to be identified.

[0109] This temporary storage with orientation of the semi-finished occultation blades or this temporary marking of the semi-finished occultation blades is unnecessary in the case of occultation blades exhibiting both asymmetry characteristics (a) and (b).

[0110] Next, with reference to [Fig.10], (Step S3) each semi-finished blade is drilled to make the through hole 21 in the vicinity of the same downstream (or upstream) end for all the blackout blades.

[0111] Finally, the semi-finished privacy slats are fed (step S4) into a brushing machine which applies a more or less deep brushed surface finish to both faces 20a and 20b of the slats along their length. This brushing operation is known. Once brushed, both faces 20a and 20b of the privacy slat have a known brushed surface finish, giving them a rough, less plastic, and more natural appearance.

[0112] The brushing machine may, for example, comprise at least two rotating and motorized brushes. Each brush comprises, in a known customary manner, a brushing assembly, for example made of hard radial steel bristles, which is suitable for penetrating slightly and to a greater or lesser depth into one face of the shading blades.

[0113] The semi-finished blackout blades 2 are introduced between the two brushes: - with the same orientation of faces 20a and 20b for all the blades, i.e. for example with face 20a of each blade always oriented towards one of the brushes and with the other face 20b of the blade always oriented towards the other brush, - and by always orienting the blades in the same direction relative to the working direction of the machine, that is to say by always introducing the blades into the machine from the same downstream end (or respectively from the same upstream end).

[0114] The blackout slats are thus brushed longitudinally on each face with the same brush and always in the same direction, i.e., from their same upstream (respectively downstream) end to their other downstream (respectively upstream) end. After brushing, faces 20a and 20b of the blackout slats are not smooth but are textured to varying degrees, each with a brushed finish that is not strictly identical from one face to the other for the same blackout slat.

[0115] With reference to [Fig. 11], the drilling step S3 can also be carried out after the brushing step (S4).

[0116] In the context of the invention, the open-mesh lattice panel is not necessarily rigid, but can also be semi-rigid or flexible.

[0117] The assembly of the wood-based composite privacy slats of the invention onto a lattice panel can be carried out by any known means and is not necessarily carried out using the particular assembly piece 3 and the rail 4 described above. In particular, the privacy slats do not necessarily include sardement of hole through 21.

[0118] The occultation blades are preferably solid, as illustrated in the attached figures.

[0119] In other embodiments of the invention, the extrusion die can be designed, in a manner known per se, to manufacture blackout blades with an internal honeycomb structure, which saves material for the manufacture of a blade.

Claims

Demands

1. A wood-based composite privacy slat for a wire mesh fence, said privacy slat has a constant cross-section and comprises two faces (20a; 20b) that are substantially flat, each defining a principal frontal plane (P) and situated on either side of a frontal plane (PI) at mid-thickness of the privacy slat, and two longitudinal edges (20c; 20d) that connect the two faces (20a; 20b) of the privacy slat, without projecting from the principal frontal planes (P), the two faces (20a; 20b) having a brushed surface finish and the privacy slat exhibiting at least one of the following asymmetry characteristics: (a) the cross-section of the privacy slat is asymmetrical with respect to the frontal plane (PI) at mid-thickness of the privacy slat or (b) the cross-section of the privacy slat is asymmetrical with respect to a sagittal plane (P2) at mid-width of the occultation plate.

2. A blackout blade according to claim 1 wherein (a) the cross-section of the blackout blade is asymmetric with respect to the frontal plane (PI) at mid-thickness of the blackout blade and (b) the cross-section of the blackout blade is asymmetric with respect to a sagittal plane (P2) at mid-width of the blackout blade.

3. A blackout blade according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the cross profile of at least one (20c) of the longitudinal edges is asymmetrical with respect to the frontal plane (PI) at mid-thickness.

4. A blackout blade according to claim 3, wherein the cross profile of each longitudinal edge (20c; 20d) is asymmetrical with respect to the frontal plane (PI) at mid-thickness.

5. A blackout blade according to claim 4, wherein the cross profiles of the two longitudinal edges (20c; 20d) are identical and symmetrical to each other with respect to a sagittal plane (P2) at mid-width.

6. A blackout blade according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein at least (a) the cross-section of the blackout blade is asymmetrical with respect to the frontal plane (PI) at mid-thickness of the blackout blade and wherein said longitudinal edge (20c) with asymmetrical cross-sectional profile or each longitudinal edge (20c; 20d) with asymmetrical cross-sectional profile comprises a chamfer (201) at the junction with one (20a) of the two blade faces.

7. A blackout blade according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein at least (a) the cross-section of the blackout blade is asymmetric with respect to the frontal plane (PI) at mid-thickness of the blackout blade and wherein said longitudinal edge (20c) with asymmetric cross-sectional profile or each longitudinal edge (20c; 20d) with asymmetric cross-sectional profile forms a bevel (202).

8. A blackout blade according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the width (e) of the chamfer (201) or beveled cross profile, measured in the direction (X) of the width of the blackout blade, is less than or equal to the thickness (E) of the blackout blade.

9. A blackout blade according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cross profiles of the two longitudinal edges (20c; 20d) are different.

10. A blackout blade according to claim 9, wherein at least (b) the cross-section of the blackout blade is asymmetrical with respect to a sagittal plane (P2) at mid-width of the blackout blade and wherein one (20c) of the longitudinal edges is rounded.

11. A blackout blade according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least (a) the cross-section of the blackout blade is asymmetrical with respect to the frontal plane (PI) at mid-thickness of the blackout blade and wherein the two faces (20a; 20b) of the blackout blade have different cross-sectional profiles.

12. A blackout blade according to claim 11, wherein one (20a) of the two faces has a longitudinal and eccentric groove (203 or 203').

13. A blackout blade according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein both faces (20a; 20b) are completely flat and parallel.

14. A blackout blade according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and comprising a through hole (21) near one of its two ends.

15. A blackout blade according to claim 14, wherein the through hole is centered with respect to a sagittal plane (P2) at mid-width.

16. Privacy screen according to any one of claims 1 to 15, made of composite wood and mono-extruded.

17. A blackout blade according to any one of claims 1 to 16, said blackout blade being solid.

18. A blackout blade according to any one of claims 1 to 16, said blackout blade having a honeycomb structure.

19. A privacy slat according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the composite wood comprises wood fibers mixed with at least one thermoplastic polymer selected from the following group: polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

20. A blackout blade according to any one of claims 1 to 19, and having a thickness (E) between 2mm and 6mm.

21. A method for manufacturing a plurality of privacy slats according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein at least one composite wood material is extruded (SI) through an extrusion die and cutting operations (S2) are carried out to obtain semi-finished privacy slats having the same length (L1), the extrusion die being adapted to obtain semi-finished privacy slats having (a) a cross-section asymmetrical with respect to the front plane (PI) at mid-thickness of the privacy slat and / or having (b) a cross-section asymmetrical with respect to a sagittal plane (P2) at mid-width of the privacy slat and having a downstream end and an upstream end, and wherein both faces of the semi-finished privacy slats are brushed (S4) along their length to give them a brushed surface finish.

22. A manufacturing method according to claim 21, wherein the brushing operation is carried out by introducing, between at least two brushes, all the semi-finished blackout slats by the same upstream or downstream end and by orienting the faces (20a; 20b) of the semi-finished blackout slats in the same direction with respect to the brushes, and all the semi-finished blackout slats are passed between the brushes and oriented so as to brush longitudinally the two faces (20a; 20b) of the semi-finished blackout slats.

23. A manufacturing method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein a through hole (21) is drilled (S3) near the same downstream or upstream end of the blackout blades, and preferably centered with respect to a sagittal plane (P2) at mid-width of the blackout blade, this drilling operation (S3) being able to be carried out before or after the brushing (S4) of the semi-finished blackout blades.

24. Assembly for the installation of a trellis fence comprising several privacy slats according to any one of claims 1 to 20 or obtained by implementing the manufacturing process of any one of claims 21 to 23, the privacy slats preferably having identical cross-sections.

25. Assembly according to claim 24, comprising at least one rigid or flexible mesh panel.

26. Assembly according to any one of claims 24 or 25, wherein each blackout blade has a through hole (21) near one of its two ends and preferably centered with respect to a sagittal plane (P2) at mid-width, and said assembly comprises at least one assembly piece (3) having one or more protruding hooking elements (31) which are capable of being passed through the through hole (21) of the blackout blades.

27. ​​Assembly according to claims 25 and 26 and comprising at least one finishing rail (4) adapted to be fitted onto the top of the lattice panel (1) so as to assemble with the lattice panel (1) at least one assembly piece (3) placed on the upper wire or bar (10”) of the lattice panel.

28. Method of installing a wire mesh fence in which at least one wire mesh panel (1) is placed vertically and several privacy slats according to any one of claims 1 to 20 or obtained by implementing the manufacturing method according to any one of claims 21 to 23 are positioned vertically in the wire mesh panel, the privacy slats having the same orientation.

29. Use of privacy slats according to any one of claims 1 to 20 or obtained by implementing the manufacturing process according to any one of claims 21 to 23, to cover at least part of a wire mesh fence panel.

Images