A coping fixing hook for attaching to a support of variable length, and a method for installing such a hook

Abstract

Coping fixing hook to a support (10), the hook (10) extending along 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 distinct parts from each other, the two distinct parts (10A, 10B) being mounted inseparably with each other and sliding relative to each other along the length direction (LO), by which means the extent (E) of the hook (10) along the length direction (LO) is adjustable. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 4.

Description

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

[0001] The present exposition relates to a coping fixing hook 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 protective device for the upper part of a wall, low wall, parapet, or equivalent structure. A coping fixing bracket is an intermediate element between the coping and the support. The bracket is fixed to the support (generally the upper part of a wall, low wall, parapet, or equivalent structure), while the coping is fixed to the bracket. For example, the coping is metallic, such as aluminum, zinc, steel, copper, etc., but not exclusively, and has a profile shape, or coping profile. Previous technique

[0003] Known coping hooks are designed for copings (or coping profiles) of a predefined size and are not adaptable to other sizes, generally to address issues of mechanical resistance to pull-out of the copings (or coping profiles), for example, under wind loads. Therefore, several different types of hooks must be available, along with the associated stock and on-site supply management. A need for such hooks thus exists. Description of the invention

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

[0005] Hereafter, and unless otherwise indicated, not “hook” means “hook for fixing coping to a support”.

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

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

[0008] The first and second parts are assembled together so that they can slide (i.e., be movable in translation) relative to each other along their length. This makes it possible to adapt the hook's reach to various coping stones with different dimensions depending on the coping stones' transverse direction. The hook's reach can be adjusted along its length between a minimum and a maximum range. Thanks to the inseparable assembly of the first and second parts, the hook exhibits sufficient rigidity and mechanical strength to prevent the coping stone profile from being torn away, for example, during strong winds. The hook described herein offers a satisfactory balance between ease of use and the required mechanical strength.

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

[0010] For example, the slide portions may each have a plate shape extending along the lengthwise and widthwise directions, 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 with the groove. The corrugations of one slide portion may interlock with the corrugations of the other slide portion and cooperate by complementary shape. For example, the corrugations may form reliefs (recessed for grooves, raised for ribs) extending along 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 along the height direction, the ribs forming grooves of complementary shape on the opposite side and vice versa.Such undulations can be described by those skilled in the art as "grains of rice".

[0011] The ribs and grooves are interlocked and form a sliding structure extending along the length. The ribs act as stiffeners in bending along the height. The complementary shape of the ribs and grooves can strengthen the mechanical strength of the assembly of the first part relative to the second part (and conversely) in torsion around the vertical direction and in translation along the horizontal direction. This can improve the mechanical strength of the hook while ensuring the required versatility.

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

[0013] For example, the assembly portion can sandwich at least one portion of the other part. Such an assembly portion makes it possible to strengthen 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 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 part along the length direction.

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

[0016] In some embodiments, the two separate 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 a relative movement between the two separate parts along the length direction.

[0017] According to a first embodiment, each part has a first stop portion configured to cooperate with a first stop portion of the other part to limit the relative translational displacement of the two parts only in a first direction along the length direction, for example in a relative separation direction along the length direction between the first part and the second part (i.e., the direction allowing the span to be increased along the length direction of the hook). According to a second embodiment, 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 approach along the length direction between the first part and the second part (i.e. direction allowing to decrease the extent along the length direction of the hook).

[0018] Such stop portions can improve the handling of the hook during storage, handling, and placement on a support. For example, the stop portions can prevent the first and second parts from disengaging along their length. For example, the stop portions can ensure that the hook is placed in a suitable configuration, i.e., neither too extended nor too contracted along its length, 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 butted together, 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. This can improve the hook's mechanical strength while ensuring the required versatility.

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

[0020] Such a structure can strengthen the mechanical integrity of the assembly by arranging the retaining elements in combination at the points most likely to be subjected to stress. Furthermore, such a combination can facilitate the manufacturing of the hook and simplify its overall structure. This simplification can improve the robustness of the hook design and thus enhance its durability.

[0021] In some embodiments, each of the separate parts includes a portion of hook configured to engage with a coping, each portion of hook having at least one stiffening rib extending along 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 along their length relative to the rest of the hook. The hook portions may include one or more stiffening 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 degree of flexural rigidity, for example along the vertical direction, which can improve the mechanical strength of the hook.

[0024] In some embodiments, the ribs of the portion of the slide equipped with ribs 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 to the first direction.

[0025] For example, the ribs can project along the vertical direction, extending towards each other. This can reduce the hook's overall size and facilitate the installation of the coping. This can also increase the hook's moment of inertia, thereby improving the mechanical strength of the assembly.

[0026] In certain embodiments, each of the two separate parts comprises a slide portion and a hook portion, the hook portions of each of the two separate parts being arranged opposite each other along the length direction relative to the slide portions and configured to engage with a coping, each slide portion having a plurality of through holes for attaching the hook to a support, the holes of the plurality of holes of each slide portion being arranged one after the other along the length direction, the holes of each pair of adjacent holes of the plurality of holes of each slide portion being spaced along the length direction by a distance of between 5% (five percent) and 150% (one hundred and fifty percent) of the extent along the greater length direction of the two holes of the pair of adjacent holes.

[0027] For example, the through holes can be configured to receive a screw for attaching the hook to a support. A washer may be interposed between the screw head and the hook, but not necessarily. The holes can also allow the passage of a dowel for gripping the screw in the support. The plurality of holes in each slide portion can ensure that at least one hole in one portion is aligned with a hole in the other portion to allow the passage of a fixing screw in most, if not all, of the possible ranges along the length of the hook. The holes can, 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.In another example, one slide segment might have a plurality of oblong holes with a first extent along the length direction, while the other slide segment might have a plurality of oblong holes with a second extent along the length direction, different from the first extent. In yet another example, one slide segment might have an alternation along the length direction of oblong and circular holes, while the other slide segment has only oblong holes. The holes of the plurality of holes within the same... The two slide sections can all be identical, or they can be different. The holes in the two slide sections can be identical or different. According to another variant, the holes in one slide section can be identical to each other and of a first type, while the holes in the other slide section can be identical to each other and of a second type, different from the first type.

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

[0029] Such a configuration ensures sufficient mechanical strength of each part of the hook while allowing satisfactory versatility for attaching the hook to a support, regardless of the extent adopted along the length of the hook. In particular, such a configuration can prevent potential deformation of the hook during a pull-out stress that would tend to separate the edges of the holes, especially along the width, and disengage the hook from the fastening means that secure the hook to the support, for example, a screw head.

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

[0031] Such a configuration allows for satisfactory distribution and transfer of forces within the hook, particularly forces induced by strong winds, ensuring satisfactory mechanical strength of the hook and the assembly of the two separate parts. This configuration also allows the screw heads to be concealed, thereby preventing damage to the coping and thus improving its durability, particularly against potential corrosion resulting from scratching of the coping and deterioration of any surface coating.

[0032] In some embodiments, the hook includes a separate removable third part, the third part having a lengthwise extent of between 50% (fifty percent) and 80% (eighty percent) of the lengthwise extent of the first or second part, the third part cooperating by complementarity of form with a part from the first and second parts.

[0033] When the third part is mounted within the hook, the part with which it A third party can cooperate through complementary forms and 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. As 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 strengthen the holding of the assembly of the different parts of the hook, and a better distribution and transfer of forces within the hook, in particular forces induced by strong winds, ensuring a satisfactory mechanical holding of the hook and of the assembly of the two separate parts.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first part and the second part each comprise a portion of a hook configured to engage with a coping, each portion of a hook having a blade for engaging with a coping, the blade for engaging having rounded corners.

[0036] The engagement blade may have a distal end portion, the distal end portion comprising rounded corners. Such rounded corners may prevent damage to the coping, and thus improve its durability, particularly with regard to potential corrosion resulting from scratching of the coping and deterioration of any surface coating.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first part and the second part each comprise a hook portion configured to engage with a coping, wherein each hook portion has a hook portion configured to hook an alignment cord.

[0038] For example, the hook portion includes a notch configured to receive and hold a cord in position. This allows successive hooks to be aligned on the support, thereby ensuring a homogeneous distribution of forces across all hooks, thus avoiding excessive stress on some hooks and insufficient stress on others, and ensuring satisfactory holding power for all hooks.

[0039] An embodiment relates to a method of installing a coping fixing hook on a support, a method in which a coping fixing hook is provided to a support according to any one of the embodiments described in this exposition, the extent of the hook is adjusted along the length direction, and the hook is fixed to the support.

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

[0041] The hook can be attached to the support using only the first and second screws. The first screw is used to attach only one part to the support, and the second screw is used to attach both parts to the support (as well as the optional third part, if applicable). This type of attachment ensures satisfactory mechanical strength for both the hook and its attachment to the support, while limiting the design constraints of the hook by requiring fewer mounting holes to be aligned between the first and second parts. This provides a satisfactory balance between ease of use and the required mechanical strength.This can also allow the hook to be reliably fixed to a support with a fragile section, such as a layer of insulation on a facade, and to be fixed to a robust section of the support with a limited extent in the longitudinal direction, for example a section of concrete, cinder block, brick or equivalent.

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

[0043] Such a locking mechanism allows the hook's length to be fixed in the upstream direction of installation, facilitating installation by ensuring the hook has the required length. Furthermore, such a rivet can provide mechanical coupling between the first and second parts, reinforcing the mechanical strength of the hook assembly. When the hook is fitted with the third part, the third part can be coupled to the first and second parts simultaneously with the locking mechanism, for example, using a rivet.

[0044] In some embodiments, the first, second and third parts are arranged to overlap each other over an extent along the length direction of at least 30% (thirty percent) of the extent along the length direction of the shortest part along the length direction among the first and second parts.

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

[0046] Such an extent of overlap allows for satisfactory distribution and redistribution 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.

[0047] One embodiment relates to an assembly comprising a fixing hook The coping is attached to a support according to any of the embodiments described herein and strictly two screws, the two screws being configured to fix the hook to a support. The screws may optionally be fitted with washers. Brief description of the drawings

[0048] The purpose of this presentation and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the detailed description below of various embodiments given by way of non-limiting examples. This description refers to the attached figure pages, on which:

[0049] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 represents a set comprising a plurality of brackets and a coping stone,

[0050] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a hook of [Fig.1], seen in exploded perspective view,

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

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

[0053] [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] represents a variant of the hook of the [Fig.2]. Description of the implementation methods

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

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

[0056] In the present example, all the brackets 10 are identical. Only one bracket 10 is described hereafter, this description applying to all the brackets 10 in 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 distinct parts, the two distinct parts 10A, 10B being mounted inseparable from one another and sliding relative to each other along the length direction LO, thereby allowing the extent E of the hook 10 along the length direction LO to be adjustable, i.e., it can be reduced to a minimum extent Emin (not shown) or increased to a maximum extent Emax (not shown). In this example, the designations "first" and "second" for parts 10A and 10B are arbitrary, and part 10A could be called "second part" while 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 include the third part 10C.

[0058] In this example, parts 10A, 10B, and 10C have an overall plate shape. For example, parts 10A, 10B, and 10C may be made of metal and manufactured by bending and / or stamping, or of polymeric material, for example, reinforced with fibers, and manufactured by molding. The hook 10 has a face Fl, referred to as the "lower" face (or lower side), configured to face the support 110, and a face F2, referred to as the "upper" face (or upper side), configured to face the coping 50.

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

[0060] In this example, the slide portions 10A1 and 10B1 each have a substantially flat plate shape extending in a plane parallel to the length direction LO and width direction LA. The hook portions 10A2 and 10B2 each comprise an "L"-shaped portion having a folded "L"-shaped plate shape, considered in section perpendicular to the width direction LA (or in a plane including the length direction LO and the height direction H), and a connecting portion 10A22, 10B22, also in the shape of a plate, connecting the "L"-shaped portion and the slide portion 10A1, 10B1, respectively.The "L" shaped section has a first portion substantially parallel to the slide sections 10A1, 10B1, parallel to the width direction LA, and a second portion substantially perpendicular to the slide sections 10A1, 10A2, parallel to the width direction LA and which can be inclined at ±30° (plus or minus thirty degrees) with respect to the height direction H. The second portion of the "L" shaped section forms an engagement blade 10A21, 10B21 with a coping, described in more detail below. In this example, the engagement blade 10A21 forms an angle AN1 between ±25°, for example +20°, with respect to the height direction H, and the engagement blade 10B21 forms a... Angle AN2 is between 0° and +5°, for example, +3°. In this example, an angle is measured as positive when the blade is "open" outward from the hook, i.e., when the distal end portion 10A21A, 10B21A is farther along the length direction LO from the slide portion 10A1, 10B1, respectively, than the rest of the blade. Conversely, an angle is measured as negative when the blade is "closed" inward from the hook, i.e., when the distal end portion 10A21A, 10B21A is closer along the length direction LO to the slide portion 10A1, 10B1, respectively, than the rest of the blade. In [Fig. 2], angles AN1 and AN2 are both positive. The first portion of the "L" 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 along the height direction H opposite the lower face Fl 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 with respect to the length direction LO (and in this example also with respect to the height direction H).

[0061] The sliding portion of one part, between the first and second parts, in this example the sliding portion 10A1 of the first part 10A, may have a pair of parallel grooves 10A11 extending along the length direction LO. The sliding portion of the other part, between the first and second parts, in this example the sliding portion 10B1 of the second part 10B, may include 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 complementary shape. The sliding portions 10A1, 10B1 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 undulations 13 extending along the length direction LO, the undulations 13 of the slide portion 10A1 being similar to the undulations 13 of the slide portion 10B1. In this example, relative to the rest of the plate shape of the slide portions 10A1, 10B1, the undulations 13 protrude upwards along the height direction H in Figures 2 to 4, opposite the lower face Fl, in the direction HL. Each undulation 13 forms a groove on one side of the hook 10, in this example the side of the lower face Fl, 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 form.

[0063] In this example, the grooves 10A11 extend over the entire extent of the portion of slide 10A1 of the first part 1OA 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 spaced along the length direction LO from the hook portion 10B2, while the grooves 10A11 of the slide portion 10A1 adjoin the hook portion 10A2, e.g., open onto the hook portion 10A2 along the length direction LO. In general, 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] A part of the first part and the second part, in this example the second part 10B, may include 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 outside in the width direction LA with respect 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 along the width direction LA, towards the ribs 10B11 (see [Fig.4]), so as to enclose along 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 opposite along 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 a bending, requiring specific tooling, 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 metallic part 10B. According to one variant, the second part 10B is made of polymer material and has a molded shape corresponding to the shape shown in [Fig.4], the "bent" bar 10B31 then forming a snap-fit ​​projection, the first part 10A and the second part 10B being assembled together by irreversible snap-fitting.

[0066] In this example, the assembly portion 10B3 has a guide portion 10B32 is 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 can be formed by a right-angled section 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 with respect to the guide portion 10B32.

[0067] The two separate parts 10A, 10B may each include at least one stop portion 10A4, 10B4, at least one stop portion 10A4, 10B4 of one part 10A, 10B being configured to cooperate with 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 opposite a second stop portion 10A42 along the length direction LO. For example, two symmetrical cutouts of substantially rectangular shape, the longer 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 opposing edges along the length direction LO formed by the shorter sides of the rectangular cutout constitute, respectively, 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 oppositely along 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 along 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 in the first part 10A receives a guide portion 10B32 from the second part 10B, whereby the first stop portions 10A41 and the second stop portions 10A42 are respectively positioned opposite the third stop portions 10B41 and the fourth stop portions 10B42

[0071] The first and third portions of the stop 10A41, 10B41 are configured to cooperate with each other in order to limit the relative displacement of the first portion 10A and the second portion 10B in the direction of their relative separation along the length direction LO (see the double arrow EL in [Fig. 4]). The second and The fourth sections of the stop elOA42, 10B42 are configured to cooperate with each other in order to limit the relative displacement of the first section 10A and the second section 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 sections of the stop elOA42, 10B42 are abutting 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 participate in 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 holes through 10A5, 10B5 for attaching the hook 10 to a support 110, the holes in the plurality of holes 10A5, 10B5 of each slide portion 10A1, 10B1 being arranged one after the other along the length direction LO. In this example, the slide portion 10A1 of the first part 10A has a plurality of oblong holes 10A5 extending along 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 along the length direction LO. The oblong holes 10A5 of the first part 10A have a span along the length direction that is less than the span along the length direction of the oblong holes 10B5 of the second part 10B. For example, the span along the length direction of 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 along the length direction LO, and opposite the hook portion 10B2 with respect to the holes 10B5. In other words, along 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), as 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 parallel corrugations 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, regardless of 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 along the length direction LO by a distance L between 5% and 150% of the largest extent EA along the length direction LO of the two holes in the adjacent hole pair. 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 between 5% and 150% of the largest extent EA among the extents EA, E2 along the length direction LO of holes 10A51 and 10A52, respectively. This applies to all pairs of adjacent holes within the plurality of holes 10A5 of the first part 10A and, in this example, to the two adjacent holes of the single pair of adjacent holes 10B5 of the second part 10B.

[0077] Each hook portion 10A2, 10B2 is configured to engage with the coping 50. In this example, each hook portion 10A2, 10B2 has an engagement blade 10A21, 10B21 with the coping 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 hook 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 the [Fig.l], we can thus attach the cord 30 to the two hooks 10 arranged at opposite ends on the longitudinal direction L of the coping 50 (or 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 stiffening rib 10A23, 10B23 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 along the length direction LO over the entire extent of the first portion of the "L" portion of the hook portion 10A2, 10B2, and partly over the connecting portion 10A22, 10B22, respectively.

[0079] The ribs of the ribbed portion of the slide, in this example rib 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 undulations 15 protrude in the direction H2. In this example, given the relative positions of the different portions according to the height direction H, we can consider 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 opposite the lower face Fl and arranged along the width direction LA between the grooves 10A11 and the ribs 10B11, respectively. The stiffener 17 may be aligned along 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 allows the minimum extent E to be reduced 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 on [Fig.4]).

[0081] In this example, on each part 10A, 10B, there is an overlap along the longitudinal direction LO between the extent of the corrugations 13 and the extent of the angle stiffeners 17, and between the extent of the angle stiffeners 17 and the extent of the corrugations 15. In other words, in this example, on each part 10A, 10B, there is a continuity of relief along the length direction LO between the corrugations 13, the angle stiffeners 17, and the corrugations 15. This can provide continuity of stiffeners in bending over the entire extent along the length direction LO of each part 10A, 10B, and 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 complementary shape with a part from 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 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 position 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 The length direction LO, according to arrows RA or EL in [Fig. 4]. Once the span 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 part of the first and second parts, 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 together are fixed 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 and 19B. In this example, according to one variant, the second part 10B can first be fixed to the support 110 using the first screw 19A, then the extent E is adjusted to the desired length, and then the first part 10A and the second part 10B are fixed together to the support 110 using the second screw 19B.

[0084] According to one embodiment, after adjusting the extent E of the hook 10 and before fixing the hook 10 onto the support 110, the relative position of the first and second parts 10A, 10B is mechanically locked, for example by means of a rivet 20. The rivet 20 extends, for example, into an oblong hole 10A5 of the first part 10A and into 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 Fl) as shown in [Fig. 5]. This last variant can minimize the bulk of rivet 20 between hook 10 and support 110, and improve the clamping of hook 10 on 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 overlapping each other over a span ER along the length direction LO by at least 30% of the span A2, A3 along the length direction LO of the shortest part along the length direction LO among the first part 10A and the second part 10B; in this example, 30% of the span A3 of the second part 10B. In this example, the first part 10A is sandwiched along the height direction H between the second part 10B and the third part 10C. Next, the relative position of the first, second and third parts 10A, 10B, 10C can be mechanically locked, for example using a rivet 20.Rivet 20 extends, for example, into an oblong hole 10A5 in the third and first parts 10C, 10A and into one of the circular holes 10B51 in 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] Figure 5 shows a variant 10' of the hook 10 described previously. The hook 10' is identical in all respects 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. Therefore, the common parts are not described again and retain the same reference numerals. In this example, the hook 10' lacks a third part, but could optionally be equipped with such a third part. All the variants of the method for mounting the hook 10 on a support described previously also apply to the hook 10'.

[0087] In the example of [Fig. 5], each slide portion 10A1, 10B1 has a plurality of holes through 10A5', 10B5' for attaching 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 along 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 along the length direction LO of oblong holes 10A51' extending along the length direction LO and circular holes 10A52', in this example nine alternations of oblong holes and circular holes. In other words, holes adjacent along the LO length direction of oblong holes 10A51' are circular holes 10A52'. Conversely, holes adjacent along the LO length direction of 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 along the length direction LO. The oblong holes 10A5' of the first part 10A have a shorter extent along the length direction than the oblong holes 10B5' of the second part 10B. For example, the extent along the length direction of the holes 10A51' is between 5 mm and 15 mm, for example 10 mm, and the extent along 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 hold provided.In this example, holes 10A5' and 10B5' are distributed over 90% of the extent along the length direction of slide portion 10A1, 10B1, respectively, and cumulatively extend between 50% and 85% of the extent along the length direction LO of 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 along the length direction LO by a distance between 5% and 150% of the longest extent The length L1 of the two holes in the pair of adjacent holes is large along the LO length direction. In this example, all oblong holes 10A51' are identical, and all circular holes 10A52' are identical. Holes 10A51' and 10A52' are spaced along the LO length direction by a distance L1 between 20% and 50% of the extent E3 along the LO length direction 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 along the LO length direction by a distance L2 between 5% and 25% of the extent E4 along the LO length direction of the oblong holes 10B5'.

[0089] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is evident that modifications and changes can 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 embodiments illustrated / mentioned can be combined in additional embodiments. Therefore, the description and drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

[0090] It is also evident that all the characteristics described with reference to a process 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 process.

Claims

Demands

1. A coping fixing hook to a support (10, 10'), the hook (10, 10') extending along 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 distinct parts from each other, the two distinct parts (10A, 10B) being mounted inseparably with each other and sliding relative to each other along the length direction (LO), thereby making the extent (E) of the hook (10, 10') along the length direction (LO) adjustable.

2. A coping fixing hook 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 part among the first part (10A) and the second part (10B) having a pair of parallel grooves (10A11) extending along the length direction (LO) and the slide portion (10B1) of the other part among the first part (10A) and the second part (10B) comprising two parallel ribs (10B11) extending along the length direction (LO), the ribs (10B11) and the grooves (10A11) being engaged with each other and cooperating by complementarity of form.

3. Coping fixing hook to a support (10, 10') according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a part of the first part (10A) and the second part (10B) comprises at least one assembly portion (10B3) clamping along the height direction (H) the other part of the first part (10A) and the second part (10B).

4. Coping fixing hook to a support (10, 10') according to claim 3, wherein the assembly portion (10B3) has a guide portion (10B32) configured to guide the other part along the length direction (LO).

5. A coping fixing hook to a support (10, 10') according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein 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) along the length direction (LO) so as to limit relative movement between the two separate parts (10A, 10B) along the length direction (LO).

6. Coping fixing hook to a support (10, 10') according to claims 3 and 5, wherein the assembly portion (10B3) forms a stop portion (10B4).

7. A coping fixing hook to a support (10, 10') according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each of the separate parts (10A, 10B) comprises a hook portion (10A2, 10B2) configured to engage with a coping (50), each hook portion (10A2, 10B2) having at least one stiffening rib (10A23, 10B23) extending along the length direction (LO).

8. A coping fixing hook to a support (10, 10') according to claims 2 and 7, wherein the ribs (10B11) of the portion of the slide (10B1) provided with ribs (10B11) extend in a first direction (Hl) 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 (Hl).

9. A coping fixing hook for 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, 1 OBI) 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 along the length direction (LO) with respect to the slide portions (10A1, 1 OBI) and configured to engage with a coping (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 (110), the holes (10A5, 10B5; 10A5', 10B5') of the plurality of holes of each slide portion (10A1, 10B1) being arranged one after the other along 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 along the length direction (LO) by a distance (L, L1) between 5% and 150% of the extent (E1, E2) along the length direction (LO) of the larger of the two holes of the pair of adjacent holes (10A51, 10A52).;

10. Coping fixing hook to a support (10, 10') according to the claims dication 2 and 9, in which 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. A coping fixing hook to a support (10, 10') according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a separate removable third part (10C), the third part (10C) having an extent (A1) along the length direction (LO) of between 50% and 80% of the extent (A2, A3) of the first part (1OA) or of the second part (10B) along the length direction (LO), the third part (10C) cooperating by complementarity of form with a part among the first part (10A) and the second part (10B).

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

13. A coping fixing hook 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 coping (50), wherein each hook portion (10A2, 10B2) has a hook portion (11) configured to hook an alignment cord (30).

14. Method of installing a coping fixing hook on a support, method wherein 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 along the length direction (LO), and the hook (10, 10') is fixed to the support (110).

15. Method of installing a coping fixing hook on a support according to claim 14, wherein only one part 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 coping 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 by means of a rivet (20).

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

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