Hook for fixing a cover to a variable-length support, and method of installing such a hook

Abstract

Hook for fixing a cover to a support (10), the hook (10) extending in a length direction (LO), a width direction (LA) and a height direction (H), the hook (10) comprising a first part (10A) and a second part (10B) forming two parts distinct from each other, the two distinct parts (10A, 10B) being mounted inseparably with each other and sliding relative to each other in the length direction (LO), whereby the extent (E) of the hook (10) in the length direction (LO) is adjustable. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 4.

Description

Title of the invention: Hook for fixing a cover to a support of variable length, and method of installing such a hook Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a hook for fixing a cover to a support, of variable length, as well as a method of installing such a hook on a support.

[0002] As a reminder, a coping is a device for protecting the upper part of a wall, a low wall, an acroterion or equivalent. A hook for fixing a coping to a support is an intermediate element between the coping and the support, the hook being fixed to the support (generally the upper part of a wall, low wall, acroterion or equivalent) while the coping is fixed to the hook. For example, the coping is metallic, for example aluminum, zinc, steel, copper, etc., but not only, and has a profile shape, or coping profile. Prior art

[0003] Known coping hooks are designed for copings (or coping profiles) having a predefined size, and are not adaptable to other sizes, and this is generally to respond to problems of mechanical resistance to the tearing of the copings (or coping profiles), for example in the wind. It is therefore necessary to provide several different types of hooks, as well as the associated stocks and supply management on site. There is therefore a need in this regard. Statement of the invention

[0004] One embodiment relates to a hook for fixing a cover to a support, the hook extending in a length direction, a width direction and a height direction, the hook comprising a first part and a second part forming two parts distinct from each other, the two distinct parts being mounted inseparably with each other and sliding relative to each other in the length direction, whereby the extent of the hook in the length direction is adjustable.

[0005] Subsequently, and unless otherwise indicated, “hook” means “hook for fixing a cover to a support”.

[0006] The first part and the second part are two parts distinct from each other which are mounted together, and which cannot be removed from each other, except by damaging the hook.

[0007] The length direction of the hook may correspond to the transverse direction of the cover to be mounted on the hook while the width direction of the hook can correspond to the longitudinal direction of the cover. The height direction of the hook is a direction perpendicular to the length direction and the width direction.

[0008] The first part and the second part are assembled together so as to be able to slide (i.e. be movable in translation) relative to each other, according to the length direction. It is thus possible to adapt the extent of the hook to various covers having different dimensions according to the transverse direction of the covers. It is possible to modify the extent of the hook according to the length direction between a minimum extent and a maximum extent. Thanks to the inseparable assembly, or mounting, of the first part and the second part, the hook has a certain rigidity and sufficient mechanical strength to prevent tearing of the cover profile, for example during strong winds. The hook according to the present disclosure has a satisfactory balance between the versatility of implementation and the required mechanical strength.

[0009] In some embodiments, each of the two distinct parts comprises a slide portion, the slide portion of one of the first part and the second part having a pair of parallel grooves extending in the length direction and the slide portion of the other of the first part and the second part comprising two parallel ribs extending in the length direction, the ribs and the grooves being engaged with each other and cooperating by form complementarity.

[0010] For example, the slide portions may each have a plate shape extending in the length direction and in the width direction, and having two corrugations, each corrugation forming a groove on one side of the plate and a rib on the side of the plate opposite the side having the groove. The corrugations of one slide portion may be engaged with the corrugations of the other slide portion and cooperate by complementarity of shape. For example, the corrugations may form reliefs (hollow for the grooves, protruding for the ribs) extending in the height direction. The slide portions may each comprise two ribs on a first side and two grooves on a second side, opposite the first side in the height direction, the ribs forming grooves of complementary shape on the opposite side and vice versa.Such undulations may be referred to by those skilled in the art as "rice grains".

[0011] The ribs and grooves are engaged with each other and form a slide structure extending in the length direction. The ribs form bending stiffeners in the height direction. The cooperation by complementary shape of the ribs and grooves can make it possible to reinforce the mechanical strength of the assembly of the first part with respect to the second part (and conversely) in torsion around the height direction and in translation along the width direction. This can improve the mechanical strength of the hook while ensuring the required versatility.

[0012] In certain embodiments, one of the first part and the second part comprises at least one assembly portion enclosing, in the height direction, the other of the first part and the second part.

[0013] For example, the assembly portion may sandwich at least a portion of the other part. Such an assembly portion makes it possible to reinforce the mechanical strength of the assembly of the first part relative to the second part (and vice versa) in torsion around the width direction and in translation along the height direction. This can make it possible to improve the mechanical strength of the hook while ensuring the required versatility.

[0014] In some embodiments, the assembly portion has a guide portion configured to guide the other portion along the length direction.

[0015] The guide portion is configured to guide the relative movements in translation in the length direction between the first part and the second part. The guide portion may be separate from the grooves and ribs of the optional slide portions mentioned above. The guide portion may guide the relative movements in translation between the first part and the second part alone, or in combination with the grooves and ribs of the slide portions. The guide portion may make it possible to reinforce the mechanical strength of the assembly of the first part relative to the second part (and vice versa) in torsion about the height direction and in translation in the width direction. This may make it possible to improve the mechanical strength of the hook while ensuring the required versatility.

[0016] In some embodiments, the two distinct parts each comprise at least one stop portion, the at least one stop portion of one part being configured to cooperate with the at least one stop portion of the other part along the length direction so as to limit relative movement between the two distinct parts along the length direction.

[0017] According to a first variant, each part has a first stop portion configured to cooperate with a first stop portion of the other part to limit the relative translational movement of the two parts only in a first direction along the length direction, for example in a direction of relative separation along the length direction between the first part and the second part (i.e. direction making it possible to enlarge the extent along the length direction of the hook). According to a second variant, each part further has a second stop portion configured to cooperate with a second stop portion of the other part to limit the relative translational displacement of the two parts also in a second direction along the length direction, for example in a direction of relative rapprochement along the length direction between the first part and the second part (i.e. direction allowing the extent to be reduced along the length direction of the hook).

[0018] Such stop portions can improve the maneuverability of the hook during its storage, handling and placement on a support. For example, the stop portions can prevent possible disengagement along the length direction of the first and second parts. For example, the stop portions can ensure that the hook will be placed in an appropriate configuration, i.e. neither too extended nor too reduced along the length direction, on the support, thus ensuring satisfactory mechanical strength. Furthermore, when the hook is fixed to a support in a configuration where the stop portions are in abutment, the stop portions can reinforce the mechanical strength of the assembly of the first part relative to the second part (and vice versa) in translation along the length direction. This can improve the mechanical strength of the hook while ensuring the required versatility.

[0019] In some embodiments, the assembly portion forms a stop portion.

[0020] Such a structure can make it possible to reinforce the mechanical strength of the assembly by arranging the holding elements in combination at the locations most likely to stress the mechanical strength of the assembly. Furthermore, such a combination can facilitate the manufacture of the hook, and allow a simplification of the overall structure of the hook. Such a simplification can improve the robustness of the design of the hook, and therefore improve its durability over time.

[0021] In some embodiments, each of the distinct parts includes a hook portion configured to engage a cover, each hook portion having at least one stiffener rib extending in the length direction.

[0022] The first part and the second part each comprise a hook portion. The hook portions of the two parts may be arranged opposite each other in the length direction, relative to the remainder of the hook. The hook portions may comprise one or more stiffener-forming ribs. For example, the hook portions may have a folded plate shape, with portions of the plate shape having one or more corrugations forming a groove on one side of the portion and a rib on the side of the portion opposite the side having the groove.

[0023] Such stiffening ribs can provide the entire hook with a certain bending rigidity, for example in the height direction, which can improve the mechanical strength of the hook.

[0024] In some embodiments, the ribs of the ribbed slide portion extend in a first direction along the height direction while the ribs of the hook portions extend in a second direction along the height direction, opposite the first direction.

[0025] For example, the ribs may protrude in the height direction, extending towards each other. This may reduce the size of the hook and facilitate the installation of the cover. This may increase the moment of inertia of the hook and thus improve the mechanical strength of the assembly.

[0026] In some embodiments, each of the two distinct parts comprises a slide portion and a hook portion, the hook portions of each of the two distinct parts being disposed opposite each other in the length direction relative to the slide portions and configured to engage with a cover, each slide portion having a plurality of holes therethrough for attaching the hook to a support, the holes of the plurality of holes of each slide portion being disposed one after the other in the length direction, the holes of each pair of adjacent holes of the plurality of holes of each slide portion being spaced apart in the length direction by a distance between 5% (five percent) and 150% (one hundred and fifty percent) of the extent in the longer length direction of the two holes of the pair of adjacent holes.

[0027] For example, the through holes may be configured to receive a screw for attaching the hook to a support. A washer may be interposed between the head of the screw and the hook, but not necessarily. The holes may also allow the passage of a dowel for engaging the screw in the support. The plurality of holes in each slide portion may allow at least one hole in one portion to be aligned with a hole in the other portion to allow the passage of a fixing screw, in most, or even all, of the possible extents depending on the length direction of the hook. The holes may, for example, be circular or oblong, of similar or different shapes and / or dimensions. For example, one slide portion may have a plurality of circular holes while the other slide portion may have a plurality of oblong holes.According to another example, one slide portion may have a plurality of oblong holes having a first extent along the length direction while the other slide portion may have a plurality of oblong holes having a second extent along the length direction, different from the first extent. According to yet another example, one slide portion may have alternating oblong holes and circular holes along the length direction, while the other slide portion has only oblong holes. The holes of the plurality of holes within a same . slide portion may all be identical, or they may be different. The holes in the two slide portions may be identical or different. According to another variant, the holes in one slide portion may be identical to each other and of a first type while the holes in the other slide portion may be identical to each other and of a second type, different from the first type.

[0028] Within the same portion of slides, the distance in the length direction between two successive holes, considered edge to edge, i.e. the portion of material between the two successive holes, is between 5% and 150% of the extent in the length direction (or diameter for a round hole geometry) the greatest between the two successive holes. In other words, considering the extent in the length direction El of a first hole and the extent in the length direction E2 of the second hole adjacent to the first hole, the edge to edge spacing between the first hole and the second hole is between 5% and 150% of the maximum between El and E2.

[0029] In such a configuration, it is possible to ensure sufficient mechanical strength of each of the parts of the hook while allowing satisfactory versatility for attaching the hook to a support, regardless of the extent adopted along the length direction of the hook. In particular, such a configuration can prevent possible deformation of the hook during a tearing stress which would tend to separate the edges of the holes, in particular along the width direction, and would disengage the hook from the fixing means which allow the hook to be fixed to the support, for example a screw head.

[0030] In some embodiments, the through holes of each slide portion are disposed between the two parallel ribs or grooves of the slide portion.

[0031] Such a configuration allows satisfactory distribution and absorption of forces within the hook, in particular forces induced by strong winds, ensuring satisfactory mechanical strength of the hook and assembly of the two separate parts. Such a configuration also allows the screw heads to be retracted, thereby avoiding damage to the cover, and therefore improving its resistance over time, in particular with regard to possible corrosion resulting from scratching of the cover and deterioration of any surface coating.

[0032] In some embodiments, the hook includes a removable third distinct portion, the third portion having a lengthwise extent of between 50% (fifty percent) and 80% (eighty percent) of the lengthwise extent of either the first portion or the second portion, the third portion cooperating in a form-fitting manner with one of the first portion and the second portion.

[0033] When the third part is mounted within the hook, the part with which it cooperates by form complementarity can be sandwiched between the third party and the other party. For example, if the third party cooperates with the second party, the second party can be sandwiched between the third party and the first party. According to another example, if the third party cooperates with the first party, the first party can be sandwiched between the third party and the second party.

[0034] Such an assembly structure of such a third part can make it possible to reinforce the maintenance of the assembly of the different parts of the hook, and a better distribution and absorption of forces within the hook, in particular forces induced by strong winds, ensuring satisfactory mechanical strength of the hook and of the assembly of the two separate parts.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first portion and the second portion each include a hook portion configured to engage a cover, each hook portion having a cover engaging blade, the engaging blade having rounded corners.

[0036] The engagement blade may have a distal end portion, the distal end portion comprising the rounded corners. Such rounded corners may prevent damage to the cover, and therefore improve its durability over time, in particular with respect to possible corrosion resulting from scratching of the cover and deterioration of any surface coating.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first portion and the second portion each include a hook portion configured to engage a coping, wherein each hook portion has a gripping portion configured to grip an alignment line.

[0038] For example, the hooking portion comprises a notch configured to receive and hold a cord in position. This makes it possible to align the successive hooks on the support, whereby it is possible to ensure a homogeneous distribution of forces across all the hooks, which makes it possible to avoid excessive stresses on some hooks and too low stresses on other hooks, and to ensure satisfactory hold for all the hooks.

[0039] One embodiment provides a method of providing a coping fixing hook to a support, wherein a coping fixing hook is provided to a support according to any of the embodiments described herein, the extent of the hook is adjusted in the length direction, and the hook is fixed to the support.

[0040] In some embodiments, only one of the first part and the second part is secured to the bracket using a first screw, and the first part and the second part are secured together to the bracket using a second screw.

[0041] The hook can be fixed to the support with only the first screw and with the second screw. The first screw is used to fix only one part to the support and the second screw is used to fix both parts to the support (as well as the optional third part if applicable). Such a fixing makes it possible to ensure satisfactory mechanical strength of both the hook and its fixing to the support, while limiting the design constraints of the hook by providing a reduced number of fixing holes that must be opposite each other between the first part and the second part. This can provide a satisfactory balance between the versatility of implementation and the required mechanical strength.This can also make it possible to reliably fix the hook to a support having a fragile portion, such as for example a layer of insulation on a facade, and to be able to fix the hook to a robust portion of the support, having a limited extent in the longitudinal direction, for example a portion made of concrete, concrete block, brick or equivalent.

[0042] In some embodiments, after adjusting the extent of the hook and before fixing the hook to the support, the relative position of the first and second parts is mechanically locked, for example using a rivet.

[0043] Such a lock makes it possible to block the extent of the hook in the length direction upstream of installation, and to facilitate installation by ensuring that the hook has the required extent. Furthermore, such a rivet can provide mechanical coupling between the first part and the second part, and reinforce the mechanical strength of the hook assembly. When the hook is provided with the third part, the third part can be coupled with the first and second parts simultaneously with the locking, for example using a rivet.

[0044] In some embodiments, the first, second, and third portions are arranged to overlap one another over an extent in the length direction of at least 30% (thirty percent) of the extent in the length direction of the shorter portion in the length direction among the first portion and the second portion.

[0045] For example, the third part is arranged after adjusting the extent along the length direction of the hook and before securing the hook. The third part may be arranged before mechanically locking the relative position of the first and second parts, and mechanically locking the relative position of the first, second, and third parts.

[0046] Such an extent of overlap allows satisfactory distribution and absorption of forces within the hook, in particular forces induced by strong winds, ensuring satisfactory mechanical strength of the hook and assembly of the two separate parts.

[0047] One embodiment relates to an assembly comprising a fixing hook of cover to a support according to any of the embodiments described in this disclosure and strictly two screws, the two screws being configured to fix the hook to a support. The screws may optionally be provided with washers. Brief description of the drawings

[0048] The object of the present disclosure and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the detailed description given below of different embodiments given as non-limiting examples. This description refers to the appended pages of figures, in which:

[0049] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] represents an assembly comprising a plurality of hooks and a cover,

[0050] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a hook of [Fig.l], seen exploded in perspective,

[0051] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents the hook of [Fig.2], seen exploded according to another perspective,

[0052] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents the hook of figures 1 to 3, assembled, and

[0053] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] represents a variant of the hook of [Fig.2]. Description of the embodiments

[0054] [Fig. 1] represents an assembly 100 comprising a plurality of hooks for fixing a coping to a support 110, in this example three hooks 10, and a coping 50. In [Fig. 1], each hook 10 is fixed to a support 110, in this example the top of a wall. The coping 50 is approaching the hooks 10 for its fixing. The fixing of the coping 50 to the hooks 10 is well known elsewhere by those skilled in the art and is therefore not described. According to a variant, the assembly 100 may comprise more than three hooks 10 or fewer than three hooks 10.

[0055] Each hook 10 extends in a length direction LO, a width direction LA and a height direction H. The cover 50 extends in a longitudinal direction L and in a transverse direction T. When the cover 50 is mounted on the hooks 10, the length direction LO of the hooks 10 corresponds to the transverse direction T of the cover 50 and the width direction LA of the hooks 10 corresponds to the longitudinal direction L of the cover 50. The height direction H of the hooks 10 corresponds to a height direction H of the cover, these directions being the same.

[0056] In the present example, all the hooks 10 are identical. Only one hook 10 is described below, this description applying to all the hooks 10 of the set 100.

[0057] The hook 10 is described in more detail with reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4. The hook 10 comprises a first part 10A and a second part 10B forming two parts distinct from each other, the two distinct parts 10A, 10B being mounted inseparable from each other and sliding relative to each other along the length direction LO, whereby the extent E of the hook 10 along the length direction LO is adjustable, i.e. can be reduced to a minimum extent Emin (not shown) or increased to a maximum extent Emax (not shown). In the present example, the designation "first" and "second" of the parts 10A and 10B is arbitrary, and the part 10A could be called "second part" while the part 10B would be called "first part". In this example, the hook 10 has an optional third part 10C. According to a variant, the hook 10 comprises only the two parts 10A and 10B and does not comprise the third part 10C.

[0058] In this example, the parts 10A, 10B and 10C respectively have the overall shape of a plate. For example, the parts 10A, 10B and 10C may be made of metal and manufactured by folding and / or stamping, or of polymeric material, for example loaded with reinforcing fibers, and manufactured by molding. The hook 10 has a face F1 called “lower” (or lower side) configured to be arranged facing the support 110 and a face F2 called “upper” (or upper side) configured to be arranged facing the cover 50.

[0059] In this example, each of the two distinct parts 10A and 10B respectively comprises a slide portion 10A1, 10B1 and a hook portion 10A2, 10B2, the hook portions 10A2, 10B2 of each of the two distinct parts 10A and 10B being arranged opposite each other along the length direction LO relative to the slide portions 10A1, 10A2.

[0060] In this example, the slide portions 10A1 and 10B1 each have a substantially planar plate shape extending in a plane parallel to the length directions LO and width directions LA. The hook portions 10A2 and 10B2 each comprise an “L”-shaped portion having a plate shape folded into an “L” shape, considered in section perpendicular to the width direction LA (or in a plane comprising the length direction LO and the height direction H), and a connecting portion 10A22, 10B22, also in the form of a plate, connecting the “L”-shaped portion and the slide portion 10A1, 10B1, respectively.The “L”-shaped portion has a first portion substantially parallel to the slide portions 10A1, 10B1, parallel to the width direction LA, and a second portion substantially perpendicular to the slide portions 10A1, 10A2, parallel to the width direction LA and capable of being inclined by ± 30° (plus or minus thirty degrees of angle) relative to the height direction H. The second portion of the “L”-shaped portion forms an engagement blade 10A21, 10B21 with a cover, described in more detail below. In this example, the engagement blade 10A21 forms an angle AN1 of between ±25°, for example +20°, relative to the height direction H, and the engagement blade 10B21 forms a . angle AN2 between 0° and +5°, for example + 3°. In this example, an angle is measured positive when the blade is “open” towards the outside of the hook, i.e. when the distal end portion 10A21A, 10B21A is further along the length direction LO from the slide portion 10A1, 10B1, respectively, than the rest of the blade. Conversely, an angle is measured negative when the blade is “closed” towards the inside of the hook, i.e. when the distal end portion 10A21A, 10B21A is closer along the length direction LO from the slide portion 10A1, 10B1, respectively, than the rest of the blade. In [Fig.2], the angles AN1 and AN2 are both positive. The first portion of the “L”-shaped portion of each hook portion 10A2, 10B2 is offset “upwards” in Figures 2 to 4 relative to the slide portion 10A1, 10B1, i.e. offset in the height direction H opposite the lower face F1 of the hook 10.The connecting portion 10A22, 10B22 connects the first portion of the “L” portion to the slide portion 10A1, 10B1, respectively, and extends parallel to the width direction LA and inclined relative to the length direction LO (and in this example also relative to the height direction H).

[0061] The slide portion of one of the first part and the second part, in this example the slide portion 10A1 of the first part 10A, may have a pair of parallel grooves 10A11 extending along the length direction LO. The slide portion of the other of the first part and the second part, in this example the slide portion 10B1 of the second part 10B, may comprise two parallel ribs 10B11 extending along the length direction LO. The ribs 10B11 and the grooves 10A11 are engaged with each other and cooperate by form complementarity. The slide portions 10A1, 10B1 may allow the first and second parts 10A, 10B to slide relative to each other along the length direction LO.

[0062] In this example, the slide portions 10A1, 10B1 each have two corrugations 13 extending along the length direction LO, the corrugations 13 of the slide portion 10A1 being similar to the corrugations 13 of the slide portion 10B1. In this example, relative to the rest of the plate shape of the slide portions 10A1, 10B1, the corrugations 13 protrude along the height direction H upwards in FIGS. 2 to 4, opposite the lower face F1, in the direction HL. Each corrugation 13 forms a groove on one side of the hook 10, in this example the side of the lower face F1, and a rib on the side of the hook 10 opposite the side having the groove, in this example the side of the upper face F2. The undulations 13 of the slide portion 10B1 are engaged with the undulations 13 of the slide portion 10A1 and cooperate by complementarity of shape.

[0063] In this example, the grooves 10A11 extend over the entire extent of the portion of slide 10A1 of the first part 10A along the length direction LO while the ribs 10B11 extend over 95% (ninety-five percent) of the extent of the slide portion 10B1 of the second part 10B along the length direction LO, from the end of the slide portion 10B1 opposite the hook portion 10B2. In this example, the ribs 10B11 of the slide portion 10B1 are distant along the length direction LO from the hook portion 10B2 while the grooves 10A11 of the slide portion 10A1 adjoin the hook portion 10A2, eg open onto the hook portion 10A2 along the length direction LO. Generally, the extent along the length direction LO of the grooves 10A11 and the ribs 10B11, in this example of the corrugations 13, is between 90% and 100% of the length of the slide portion 10A1, 10B1, respectively.

[0064] One of the first part and the second part, in this example the second part 10B, may comprise at least one assembly portion 10B3 enclosing, in the height direction H, the other part of the first part of the second part, in this example the first part 10A. In this example, the second part 10B has two assembly portions 10B3 arranged symmetrically on the slide portion 10B11, for example on the outside in the width direction LA relative to the two ribs 10B11 (i.e. on either side of the ribs 10B11 in the width direction LA).

[0065] In this example, the two assembly portions 10B3 are formed symmetrically by a flap, for example machined by cutting and folding a portion of the plate shape of the slide portion 10B1 of the second part 10B. Each assembly portion 10B3 has a bar 10B31 which can be folded in the width direction LA, towards the ribs 10B11 (see [Fig.4]), so as to enclose in the height direction H the first part 10A, in this example the slide portion 10A11 of the first part 10A, between the bar 10B31 and the rest of the slide portion 10B11 of the second part 10B facing each other in the height direction H with the bar 10B31. In Figures 2 and 3, the bar 10B31 is not bent and extends parallel to the length direction LO, the latter being bent only after assembly of the first part 10A with the second part 10B.Such folding, requiring certain tools, can contribute to the inseparable aspect of the assembly of the first part 10A and the second part 10B, and can be associated with a second metal part 10B. According to a variant, the second part 10B is made of polymeric material and has a molded shape corresponding to the shape shown in [Fig.4], the “folded” bar 10B31 then forming a snap-fastening projection, the first part 10A and the second part 10B being assembled together by irreversible snap-fastening.

[0066] In this example, the assembly portion 10B3 has a guide portion 10B32 configured to guide the other part, in this example the first part 10A, along the length direction LO. In this example, the guide portion 10B32 may be formed by a right-angle portion connecting the bar 10B31 and the remainder of the slide portion 10B2. In this example, the bar 10B31 extends symmetrically along the length direction LO relative to the guide portion 10B32.

[0067] The two separate parts 10A, 10B may each comprise at least one stop portion 10A4, 10B4, the at least one stop portion 10A4, 10B4 of one part 10A, 10B being configured to cooperate with the at least one stop portion 10B4, 10A4 of the other part 10B, 10A along the length direction LO so as to limit a relative movement between the two separate parts 10A, 10B along the length direction LO.

[0068] In this example, the first part 10A has two first stop portions 10A41 each facing a second stop portion 10A42 along the length direction LO. For example, two symmetrical cutouts of substantially rectangular shape, the long side of the rectangular shape extending along the length direction LO, are formed in the slide portion 10A1, outside the grooves 10A11 along the width direction (i.e. on either side of the two grooves 10A11 along the width direction LA). The opposite edges along the length direction LO formed by the short sides of the rectangular cutout respectively form a first stop portion 10A41 and a second stop portion 10A42.

[0069] In this example, the second part 10B has two third stop portions 10B41 oriented opposite each other in the length direction LO of two fourth stop portions 10B42. For example, each assembly portion 10B3, in this example each guide portion 10B32, can form a third and a fourth stop portion 10B41, 10B42. For example, the edges extending in the height direction H of the guide portion 10B32 each form a third or a fourth stop portion 10B41, 10B42.

[0070] As can be seen in [Fig. 4], when the first and second parts 10A, 10B are assembled, each rectangular cutout of the first part 10A receives a guide portion 10B32 of the second part 10B, whereby the first stop portions 10A41 and the second stop portions 10A42 are respectively arranged opposite the third stop portions 10B41 and the fourth stop portions 10B42.

[0071] The first and third stop portions 10A41, 10B41 are configured to cooperate with each other in order to limit the relative displacement of the first part 10A and the second part 10B in the direction of their relative separation along the length direction LO (see the double arrow EL in [Fig.4]). The second and fourth stop portions 10A42, 10B42 are configured to cooperate with each other in order to limit the relative displacement of the first part 10A and the second part 10B in the direction of their relative approach along the length direction LO (see the double arrow RA in [Fig.4]). In [Fig.4], the second and fourth stop portions 10A42, 10B42 are in abutment against each other, and the hook 10 is in its maximum extension configuration along the length direction LO.

[0072] Such a structure of stop portions can contribute to the inseparable aspect of the assembly of the first part 10A and the second part 10B.

[0073] Each slide portion 10A1, 10B1 may have a plurality of through holes 10A5, 10B5 for fixing the hook 10 to a support 110, the holes of the plurality of holes 10A5, 10B5 of each slide portion 10A1, 10B1 being arranged one after the other in the length direction LO. In this example, the slide portion 10A1 of the first part 10A has a plurality of oblong holes 10A5 extending in the length direction LO, in this example six oblong holes. In this example, the slide portion 10B1 of the second part 10B has two oblong holes 10B5 extending in the length direction LO. The oblong holes 10A5 of the first part 10A have an extent in the length direction less than the extent in the length direction of the oblong holes 10B5 of the second part 10B. For example, the extent in the length direction of the holes 10A5 and 10B5 is between 15 mm and 50 mm.The slide 10B1 of the second part 10B has two circular through holes 10B51 arranged one after the other in the length direction LO, and opposite the hook portion 10B2 with respect to the holes 10B5. In other words, in the length direction LO, the oblong holes 10B5 are arranged between the circular holes 10B51 and the hook portion 10B2. The holes 10B51 are not used for fixing the hook to a support, but for locking the first part 10A with the second part 10B (and vice versa), described below.

[0074] In this example, the through holes 10A5, 10B5 of each slide portion 10A, 10B are arranged between the two parallel ribs 10B11 or grooves 10A11 (or between the two undulations 13) of the respective slide portion 10A1, 10B1. In this example, the circular through holes 10B51 are also arranged between the two ribs 10B11, and aligned with the holes 10B5.

[0075] The holes 10A5 and the holes 10B5 are configured so that there is always at least one pair of holes 10A5 and 10B5 in alignment along the height direction H for the passage of a screw, whatever the extent E of the hook 10 along the length direction LO.

[0076] The holes of each pair of adjacent holes 10A5 or 10B5 of the plurality of holes 10A5, 10B5 of each slide portion 10A1, 10B1 are spaced apart along the length direction LO by a distance L comprised between 5% and 150% of the largest extent EA along the length direction LO of the two holes of the pair of adjacent holes. For example, in [Fig.3], for an arbitrary pair of adjacent holes 10A51 and 10A52, the distance L separating them along the length direction LO is comprised between 5% and 150% of the largest extent among the extents E1, E2 along the length direction LO of the holes 10A51 and 10A52, respectively. This applies for all pairs of adjacent holes within the plurality of holes 10A5 of the first portion 10A and, in this example, for the two adjacent holes of the single pair of adjacent holes 10B5 of the second portion 10B.

[0077] Each hook portion 10A2, 10B2 is configured to engage with the cover 50. In this example, each hook portion 10A2, 10B2 has an engagement blade 10A21, 10B21 with the cover 50, the engagement blade 10A21, 10B21, in this example a distal end portion 10A21A, 10A21A of the blades 10A21, 10B21, having rounded corners C. In this example, each hook portion 10A2, 10B2 has a hooking portion 11 configured to hook an alignment cord 30 shown in [Fig. 1]. In this example, the hook portion 11 of each hook portion 10A2, 10B has two notches 11 formed in a lateral edge of the engagement blade 10A21, 10B21. Such notches can receive and hold the cord 30. As shown in [Fig.l], it is thus possible to attach the cord 30 to the two hooks 10 arranged at the opposite ends in the longitudinal direction L of the cover 50 (or of the support 110) of the series of hooks 10, and then place the intermediate hooks 10 on the support 110, thereby ensuring the alignment of all the hooks 10.

[0078] Each hook portion 10A2, 10B2 may have at least one rib 10A23, 10B23 forming a stiffener extending along the length direction LO. In this example, the ribs 10A23, 10B23 are formed by undulations 15 formed in the first portion of the “L”-shaped portion of the hook portion 10A2, 10B2. In this example, the ribs 10A23, 10B23 of the hook portions 10A2, 10B2 are aligned along the length direction LO with the ribs / grooves 10A11, 10B11. In this example, the undulations 15 extend in the length direction LO over the entire extent of the first portion of the "L"-shaped portion of the hook portion 10A2, 10B2, and partly over the connecting portion 10A22, 10B22, respectively.

[0079] The ribs of the slide portion provided with ribs, in this example the ribs 10B11 of the slide portion 10B1, can extend in a first direction H1 along the height direction H while the ribs 10A23, 10B23 of the hook portions 10A2, 10B2 extend in a second direction H2 along the height direction H, opposite to the first direction H1 (see [Fig.2]). In this example, the undulations 13 protrude in the direction H1 while the corrugations 15 protrude in the direction H2. In this example, taking into account the relative positions of the different portions according to the height direction H, it can be considered that the ribs 10B11 of the slide portion 10B1 and the ribs 10A23, 10B23 of the hook portions 10A2, 10B2 extend towards each other according to the height direction H.

[0080] Each hook portion 10A2, 10B2 may have, at the junction between the connecting portion 10A22, 10B22 and the slide portion 10A1, 10B1, respectively, a corner stiffener 17. The corner stiffener 17 may be formed by a boss projecting away from the lower face F1 and arranged in the width direction LA between the grooves 10A11 and the ribs 10B11, respectively. The stiffener 17 may be aligned in the length direction LO with the holes 10A5, 10B5, respectively. The slide portion 10A1 of the first part 10A may have a notch 16 formed at its distal end along the length direction LO, opposite the hook portion 10A2, configured to receive the stiffener 17 of the second part 10B.This makes it possible to reduce the minimum extent E along the length direction LO of the hook 10 when the two separate parts 10A, 10B are brought as close as possible along the length direction LO (arrow RA in [Fig.4]).

[0081] In this example, on each part 10A, 10B, there is an overlap in the longitudinal direction LO between the extent of the corrugations 13 and the extent of the corner stiffeners 17, and between the extent of the corner stiffeners 17 and the extent of the corrugations 15. In other words, in this example there is on each part 10A, 10B a continuity of reliefs in the length direction LO between the corrugations 13, the corner stiffeners 17 and the corrugations 15. This can make it possible to provide continuity of stiffeners in bending over the entire extent in the length direction LO of each part 10A, 10B, and to improve the mechanical strength of the hook 10.

[0082] The optional third part 10C may have an extent A1 along the length direction LO of between 50% and 80% of the extent A2 along the length direction LO of the first part 10A or of the extent A3 along the length direction LO of the second part 10B, the third part 10C cooperating by complementarity of shape with a part among the first part 10A and the second part 10B, in this example the first part 10A. In this example, the third part 10C has a shape and a structure similar to all or part of the slide portion 10A1 of the first part 10A, and in particular has undulations 13, holes 10A5 and a notch 16 identical to those of the slide portion 10A1 of the first part 10A.

[0083] To place the hook 10 on a support, for example on a support 110, the extent E of the hook 10 is adjusted along the length direction LO, by sliding the first part 10A and the second part 10B relative to each other along the length direction LO, according to the arrows RA or EL of [Fig.4]. When the extent E has been adjusted to the desired length, the hook 10 is then fixed to the support 110, for example using screws 19A and 19B shown in [Fig.4]. For example, only one of the first part and the second part, in this example the second part 10B, is fixed to the support 110 using a first screw 19A, and the first part 10A and the second part 10B are fixed together to the support 110 using a second screw 19B. In this example, the hook 10 is fixed to the support 110 using only two screws 19A, 19B. In this example, according to a variant, the second part 10B can first be fixed to the support 110 using the first screw 19A, the extent E is then adjusted to the desired length, and the first part 10A and the second part 10B are then fixed together to the support 110 using the second screw 19B.

[0084] According to a variant, after having adjusted the extent E of the hook 10 and before fixing the hook 10 on the support 110, the relative position of the first and second parts 10A, 10B is mechanically locked, for example using a rivet 20. The rivet 20 extends for example in an oblong hole 10A5 of the first part 10A and in one of the circular holes 10B51 of the second part 10B. The head 20A of the rivet 20 can be arranged either on the side of the hook opposite the support 110 (or on the side of the upper face F2), as shown in [Fig. 4], or on the side of the hook 10 arranged on the side of the support 110 (or on the side of the lower face F1) as shown in [Fig. 5]. This latter variant can make it possible to reduce to a minimum the size of the rivet 20 between the hook 10 and the support 110, and to improve the plating of the hook 10 on the support 110 and its mechanical strength.

[0085] In the example of [Fig.4], the hook 10 is equipped with a third part 10C. Also in this example, before mechanically locking the relative position of the first and second parts 10A, 10B, the first, second and third parts 10A, 10B, 10C can be arranged to overlap one another over an extent ER in the length direction LO of at least 30% of the extent A2, A3 in the length direction LO of the shortest part in the length direction LO among the first part 10A and the second part 10B, in this example 30% of the extent A3 of the second part 10B. In this example, the first part 10A is sandwiched in the height direction H between the second part 10B and the third part 10C. Then, the relative position of the first, second and third parts 10A, 10B, 10C can be mechanically locked, for example using a rivet 20.The rivet 20 extends for example into an oblong hole 10A5 of the third and first parts 10C, 10A and into one of the circular holes 10B51 of the second part 10B. To fix the hook 10 to the support, for example only the second part 10B is fixed to the support 110 using a first screw 19A, and the first part is fixed. 10A, the second part 1OB and the third part 10C together to the support 110 using a second screw 19B.

[0086] [Fig. 5] shows a variant 10' of the hook 10 previously described. The hook 10' is identical in every respect to the hook 10, except for the shape of the holes 10A5 and 10B5 and the absence of the notch 16 and the holes 10B51. Also, the parts in common are not described again and retain the same reference signs. In this example, the hook 10' does not have a third part, but could optionally be equipped with such a third part. All the variants of the method for placing the hook 10 on a support previously described also apply to the hook 10'.

[0087] In the example of [Fig.5], each slide portion 10A1, 10B1 has a plurality of through holes 10A5', 10B5' for fixing the hook 10 to a support 110, the holes of the plurality of holes 10A5', 10B5' of each slide portion 10A1, 10B1 being arranged one after the other in the length direction LO. In this example, the plurality of holes 10A5' of the slide portion 10A1 of the first part 10A has an alternation in the length direction LO of oblong holes 10A51' extending in the length direction LO and of circular holes 10A52', in this example nine alternations of oblong holes and circular holes. In other words, the adjacent holes along the length direction LO of the oblong holes 10A51' are circular holes 10A52'. Conversely, the adjacent holes along the length direction LO of the circular holes 10A52' are oblong holes 10A51'.In this example, the slide portion 10B1 of the second part 10B has two oblong holes 10B5' extending in the length direction LO. The oblong holes 10A5' of the first part 10A have an extent in the length direction less than the extent in the length direction of the oblong holes 10B5' of the second part 10B. For example, the extent in the length direction of the holes 10A51' is between 5 mm and 15 mm, for example 10 mm, and the extent in the length direction of the holes 10B5' is between 40 mm and 100 mm, in this example 92 mm. For example, the diameter of the circular holes 10A52' is between 4 mm and 5 mm, in this example 5 mm. For example, the possible rivet 20 can be engaged in a circular hole 10A52', which can facilitate the homogeneity of its crushing during riveting, and the reliability of the support provided.In this example, the holes 10A5' and 10B5' are distributed over 90% of the extent along the length direction of the slide portion 10A1, 10B1, respectively, and extend cumulatively, between 50% and 85% of the extent along the length direction LO of the slide portion 10A1, 10B1.

[0088] The holes of each pair of adjacent holes 10A5' or 10B5' of the plurality of holes 10A5', 10B5' of each slide portion 10A1, 10B1 are spaced apart along the length direction LO by a distance between 5% and 150% of the longest extent large along the length direction LO of the two holes of the pair of adjacent holes. In this example, all the oblong holes 10A51' are identical and all the circular holes 10A52' are identical. The holes 10A51' and 10A52' are spaced apart along the length direction LO by a distance L1 between 20% and 50% of the extent E3 along the length direction LO of the oblong holes 10A51', which is larger than the diameter of the circular holes 10A52'. In this example, the two adjacent holes 10B5' of the second part 10B are identical and spaced apart along the length direction LO by a distance L2 between 5% and 25% of the extent E4 along the length direction LO of the oblong holes 10B5'.

[0089] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is obvious that modifications and changes may be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In particular, individual features of the various illustrated / mentioned embodiments may be combined in additional embodiments. Therefore, the description and drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

[0090] It is also obvious that all the characteristics described with reference to a method are transposable, alone or in combination, to a device, and conversely, all the characteristics described with reference to a device are transposable, alone or in combination, to a method.

Claims

Claims

1. Hook for fixing a cover to a support (10, 10'), the hook (10, 10') extending in a length direction (LO), a width direction (LA) and a height direction (H), the hook (10, 10') comprising a first part (10A) and a second part (10B) forming two parts distinct from each other, the two distinct parts (10A, 10B) being mounted inseparably with each other and sliding relative to each other in the length direction (LO), whereby the extent (E) of the hook (10, 10') in the length direction (LO) is adjustable.

2. A hook for fixing a cover to a support (10, 10') according to claim 1, wherein each of the two separate parts (10A, 10B) comprises a slide portion (10A1, 10B1), the slide portion (10A1) of one of the first part (10A) and the second part (10B) having a pair of parallel grooves (10A11) extending in the length direction (LO) and the slide portion (10B1) of the other of the first part (10A) and the second part (10B) comprising two parallel ribs (10B11) extending in the length direction (LO), the ribs (10B11) and the grooves (10A11) being engaged with each other and cooperating by form complementarity.

3. Hook for fixing a cover to a support (10, 10') according to claim 1 or 2, in which one part among the first part (10A) and the second part (10B) comprises at least one assembly portion (10B3) enclosing, in the height direction (H), the other part among the first part (10A) and the second part (10B).

4. Hook for fixing a cover to a support (10, 10') according to claim 3, in which the assembly portion (10B3) has a guide portion (10B32) configured to guide the other part in the length direction (LO).

5. Hook for fixing a cover to a support (10, 10') according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the two separate parts (10A, 10B) each comprise at least one stop portion (10A4, 10B4), the at least one stop portion (10A4, 10B4) of one part (10A, 10B) being configured to cooperate with the at least one stop portion (10B4, 10A4) of the other part (10B, 10A) in the length direction (LO) so as to limit a relative movement between the two separate parts (10A, 10B) along the length direction (LO).

6. Hook for fixing a cover to a support (10, 10') according to claims 3 and 5, in which the assembly portion (10B3) forms a stop portion (10B4).

7. Hook for fixing a cover to a support (10, 10') according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which each of the separate parts (10A, 10B) comprises a hook portion (10A2, 10B2) configured to engage with a cover (50), each hook portion (10A2, 10B2) having at least one rib (10A23, 10B23) forming a stiffener extending in the length direction (LO).

8. Hook for fixing a cover to a support (10, 10') according to claims 2 and 7, in which the ribs (10B11) of the slide portion (10B1) provided with ribs (10B11) extend in a first direction (H1) along the height direction (H) while the ribs (10A23, 10B23) of the hook portions (10A2, 10B2) extend in a second direction (H2) along the height direction (H), opposite to the first direction (H1).

9. A hook for fixing a cover to a support (10, 10') according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each of the two separate parts (10A, 10B) comprises a slide portion (10A1, 10B1) and a hook portion (10A2, 10B2), the hook portions (10A1, 10B1) of each of the two separate parts (10A, 10B) being arranged opposite each other in the length direction (LO) relative to the slide portions (10A1, 10B1) and configured to engage with a cover (50), each slide portion (10A1, 10B1) having a plurality of through holes (10A5, 10B5; 10A5', 10B5') for fixing the hook (10, 10') to a support (10, 10' ... being arranged opposite each other in the length direction (LO) relative to the slide portions (10A1, 10B1) and configured to engage with a cover (50), each slide portion (10A1, 10B1) having a plurality of through holes (10A5, 10B5; 10A5', 10B5') for fixing the support (110), the holes (10A5, 10B5; 10A5', 10B5') of the plurality of holes of each slide portion (10A1, 10B1) being arranged one after the other in the length direction (LO), the holes (10A5, 10B5;10A5', 10B5') of each pair of adjacent holes (10A51, 10A52) of the plurality of holes (10A5, 10B5; 10A5', 10B5') of each slide portion (10A1, 10B1) being spaced apart along the length direction (LO) by a distance (L, Ll) comprised between 5% and 150% of the extent (El, E2) along the largest length direction (LO) of the two holes of the pair of adjacent holes (10A51, 10A52).;

10. Hook for fixing a cover to a support (10, 10') according to the re- dication 2 and 9, wherein the through holes (10A5, 10B5; 10A5', 10B5') of each slide portion (10A1, 10B1) are arranged between the two parallel ribs (10B11) or grooves (10A11) of the slide portion (10A1, 10B1).

11. Hook for fixing a cover to a support (10, 10') according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a third, separate, removable part (10C), the third part (10C) having an extent (A1) in the length direction (LO) of between 50% and 80% of the extent (A2, A3) of the first part (10A) or of the second part (10B) in the length direction (LO), the third part (10C) cooperating by complementary shape with one of the first part (10A) and the second part (10B).

12. Hook for fixing a cover to a support (10, 10') according to any one of claims 1 to 11, in which the first part (10A) and the second part (10B) each comprise a hook portion (10A2, 10B2) configured to engage with a cover (50), each hook portion (10A2, 10B2) having an engagement blade (10A21, 10B21) with a cover (50), the engagement blade (10A21, 10B21) having rounded corners (C).

13. A hook for fixing a cover to a support (10, 10') according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first part (10A) and the second part (10B) each comprise a hook portion (10A2, 10B2) configured to engage with a cover (50), wherein each hook portion (10A2, 10B2) has a hooking portion (11) configured to hook an alignment cord (30).

14. A method of installing a coping fixing hook on a support, in which method a coping fixing hook is provided to a support (10, 10') according to any one of claims 1 to 13, the extent (E) of the hook (10, 10') is adjusted in the length direction (LO), and the hook (10, 10') is fixed on the support (110).

15. A method of installing a cover fixing hook on a support according to claim 14, wherein only one of the first part (10A) and the second part (10B) is fixed to the support (110) using a first screw (19A), and the first part (10A) and the second part (10B) are fixed together to the support (110) using a second screw (19B).

16. Method for installing a cover fixing hook on a support according to claim 15, wherein, after adjusting the extent (E) of the hook (10, 10') and before fixing the hook (10, 10') on the support (110), the relative position of the first and second parts (10A, 10B) is mechanically locked, for example using a rivet (20).

17. A method of installing a cover fixing hook on a support according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein a cover fixing hook on a support (10, 10') according to claim 11 is provided and wherein the first, second and third parts (10A, 10B, 10C) are arranged overlapping each other over an extent (ER) in the length direction (LO) of at least 30% of the extent (A2, A3) in the length direction (LO) of the shortest part in the length direction (LO) among the first part (10A) and the second part (10B).

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