Architectural panel configured to be attached to the ceiling or wall of a room and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

The fabric (7) is stretched over the framework between the frame-shaped members (6). Each edge (8) of the fabric is attached to a corresponding frame-shaped member via an extended-shaped member (9), which is spring-biased to maintain the fabric in a tensioned state. Each edge of the fabric is provided with a number of retaining elements (11) flexibly arranged relative to one another along the edge of the fabric. Each retaining element includes an engaging portion (12) for insertion into the longitudinal channel (10) of the extended-shaped member through an open slot (13) in the channel. When the fabric is in a tensioned state, tension in the fabric acts on each retaining element such that a rotational moment attempts to rotate the engaging portion about the longitudinal axis of the channel, thereby forcing the engaging portion of each retaining element into locking engagement with the channel.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an architectural panel configured to be attached to the ceiling or wall of a room, the architectural panel's framework having a room-facing surface and a building-facing surface, the framework including a peripheral frame formed by frame-shaped members, a fabric stretched across the room-facing surface of the framework between the frame-shaped members, each edge of the fabric attached to a corresponding frame-shaped member via at least one extension-shaped member, the extension-shaped member being spring-biased so as to be displaceable in an extension direction, which is lateral to the frame-shaped member, to keep the fabric in an extended state, the extension-shaped member having a longitudinal channel that is detachably connected to the edge of the fabric. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a panel for use in a suspended ceiling or the like, comprising a frame defining an opening covered with fabric. The frame is provided along its peripheral edge with laterally displaceable attachment members accessible from at least the outside of the fabric for attaching the fabric to the frame. When the attachment members are laterally displaced away from the lower peripheral edge of the frame, the fabric is stretched across the open area of ​​the frame. The fabric is secured to the laterally displaceable attachment members by elastic clips inserted into grooves in the attachment members, which clamp and secure the fabric in the grooves. When the fabric is attached in this manner, excess fabric is trimmed adjacent to the grooves. The fabric can be removed from the panel by pulling the springs out of the grooves. However, in practice, the edges of the fabric are precisely attached to the panel, and the assembly method requires a certain amount of excess fabric, so the same fabric piece cannot be reattached (e.g., after washing the fabric).

[0003] Patent document 2 discloses an example of mounting a flexible material under a ceiling, in which one edge of the flexible material is wrapped around a rail of rectangular cross section. The rail is inserted into a U-shaped groove in a mounting element attached to the ceiling, so that the rail is angled and held within the groove. However, this document does not relate to spring-loaded tensioning of the flexible material.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses the attachment of fabric to the metal bars of a ceiling panel using multiple elements with circular cross sections attached to the edges of the fabric. To attach the fabric to the metal bars, the elements with circular cross sections are introduced into the longitudinal channels of the metal bars one after the other, starting from one end of the channels. However, this method of attaching fabric is not suitable for architectural panels with a perimeter frame to which the fabric is attached, because the attachment elements are introduced into the longitudinal channels one after the other, starting from one end of the channels.

[0005] Patent Document 4 discloses the connection of the edge of a flat wall element to a retaining element having an undercut longitudinal groove. The edge of the flat wall element is provided with a series of small circular tongues that can be twisted about a diameter axis to insert laterally into the undercut groove. It is essential that the tongues be elastically attached to the edge of the flat wall element, i.e., they can temporarily pivot about the diameter axis to allow for laterally insertion into the groove and automatically return to their original position after pivoting. However, this attachment method is not suitable for stretching fabric over building panels because the elastically attached tongues cannot withstand the tension of the fabric.

[0006] Patent document 5 discloses a method for attaching a flexible decorative ceiling using a zipper. A first part of the zipper is formed on the edge of the flexible decorative ceiling, and a second part of the zipper is formed on a rack attached to the edge of the fixed ceiling. However, this document does not relate to spring-loaded extension of flexible materials.

[0007] U.S. Patent No. 6,449,663 discloses a flex holder for holding a flexible display surface to a display frame, the flex holder comprising a single-piece elongated body having a latch block and a latch blade hingedly connected to the latch block, which clamps the periphery of the flexible display surface. The flex holder has a pair of pivot lips on the exterior for engaging with slots in the display frame. The pivot lips are symmetrical to each other about a clamping axis defined by the latch block and the latch blade. However, this document does not relate to spring-biased tensioning of flexible materials. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 1559846 [Patent Document 2] DE 2332688 A1 [Patent Document 3] European Patent Application Publication No. 1045369 [Patent Document 4] European Patent No. 0481260 [Patent Document 5] French Patent Application Publication No. 1518396 [Patent Document 6] European Patent No. 1276091 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a building panel that allows for easy removal and subsequent re-installation of the stretched fabric. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] With this objective in mind, each edge of the fabric is provided with a number of retaining elements flexibly arranged relative to one another along the edge of the fabric, each retaining element including an engaging portion configured to be inserted into the longitudinal channel through an open slot in the channel in a lateral insertion direction of the channel, such that when the fabric is in a stretched state, tension in the fabric acts on each retaining element inserted into the longitudinal channel such that a rotational moment is generated tending to rotate the engaging portion about the longitudinal axis of the channel, thereby forcing the engaging portion of each retaining element into locking engagement with the channel.

[0011] In this way, the tension in the fabric acts to firmly hold the edges of the fabric secured in the channels of the respective tensioning members, so that the fabric can be easily removed from the building panel and then reattached by first releasing and then activating the panel's tensioning mechanism. Pre-attached retention elements on the fabric may ensure easy reattachment of the fabric. Indeed, the provision of retention elements flexibly arranged relative to one another along the edges of the fabric may facilitate handling of the fabric, thereby allowing for creases to be created throughout the fabric. This may allow, for example, for the fabric to be washed in a washing machine before being reattached to the panel.

[0012] In one embodiment, the longitudinal channel includes a protrusion along a first edge of the open slot of the longitudinal channel, such that when the fabric is in a tensioned state, the engaging portion of each retaining element is held within the longitudinal channel by the protrusion. This can facilitate attachment of the fabric to the panel in that it can be easy to position and hold the engaging portion of the retaining element within the longitudinal channel until the fabric is tensioned by activation of the panel's tensioning mechanism. For example, by using a tool such as a screwdriver to press the engaging portion of the retaining element into the channel, the engaging portion can be trapped behind the protrusion of the open slot and held there until the fabric is tensioned.

[0013] In one embodiment, the lateral insertion direction of the longitudinal channels is oriented transverse to the extension direction of the respective extension profile members, which may ensure that the tension of the fabric acts on each retention element such that a rotational moment large enough to retain the engagement portion of each retention element within the channel is generated.

[0014] Preferably, in order to generate a sufficiently large rotational moment, the lateral insertion direction of the longitudinal channels forms an angle of 20 to 160 degrees, preferably 40 to 140 degrees, more preferably 60 to 120 degrees, and most preferably 80 to 100 degrees with the extension direction of each extension-shaped member.

[0015] In one embodiment, the engagement portion of each retaining element is configured to be inserted into the longitudinal channel with the longitudinal direction of the engagement portion oriented in the lateral insertion direction of the channel, and the engagement portion is configured to forcibly lock into engagement with the channel at a position where the longitudinal direction of the engagement portion forms an angle with the lateral insertion direction of the channel.

[0016] In one embodiment, the open slot of the longitudinal channel has a minimum width, the engaging portion of each retaining element has a longitudinal direction configured to displace the retaining element upon insertion of the engaging portion into the longitudinal channel, and extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the respective edge of the fabric or the edge of the ribbon attached to the edge of the fabric, and in the direction extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the engaging portion, the engaging portion of each retaining element has a maximum width, the maximum width of the engaging portion being smaller than the minimum width of the open slot of the longitudinal channel, which may ensure that the engaging portion of the retaining element can be easily inserted into the longitudinal channel through the open slot without twisting, pushing, or otherwise manipulating the engaging portion of the retaining element.

[0017] In one particularly advantageous structural embodiment, the longitudinal channel has a bottom wall facing the open slot, a first side wall portion, and a second side wall portion, and the engaging portion of each retaining element has a front end, a rear end, a first side wall portion, and a second side wall portion, and when the engaging portion is inserted into the longitudinal channel, the front end of the engaging portion is positioned opposite the bottom wall of the longitudinal channel, the first side wall portion of the engaging portion is positioned opposite the first side wall portion of the longitudinal channel, and the second side wall portion of the engaging portion is positioned opposite the second side wall portion of the longitudinal channel.

[0018] In one embodiment, when the engagement portion is inserted into the longitudinal channel, the engagement portion of each retention element is prevented from freely rotating about any longitudinal axis of the extended-profile member channel as a result of at least the engagement between the first sidewall of the engagement portion and the first sidewall of the longitudinal channel and / or the engagement between the second sidewall of the engagement portion and the second sidewall of the longitudinal channel. This allows the aforementioned rotational moment generated to lock the engagement portion of each retention element within the channel to generate engagement and / or frictional forces between the first sidewall of the engagement portion of the retention element and the first sidewall of the longitudinal channel, and between the second sidewall of the engagement portion of the retention element and the second sidewall of the longitudinal channel. The engagement and / or frictional forces can effectively hold the engagement portion of each retention element secured in the channel.

[0019] In one particularly advantageous structural embodiment, the rear end of the engagement portion of each retaining element is fixed to a respective edge of the fabric or to an edge of a ribbon attached to said edge of the fabric. According to this embodiment, the engagement portion of each retaining element may constitute the entire retaining element, but may instead form only a portion of the retaining element.

[0020] Furthermore, in one particularly advantageous structural embodiment, the longitudinal channel is provided with a protrusion along a first edge of the open slot of the longitudinal channel, and when the engagement portion is inserted into the longitudinal channel, the rear end of the engagement portion is supported by the protrusion of the longitudinal channel.

[0021] In one embodiment, each edge of the fabric has a respective ribbon attached thereto, with the retaining element on the edge of each ribbon. This simplifies the process of cutting the fabric to size and attaching the retaining elements in that pre-manufactured ribbons with retaining elements attached can be used. For example, the ribbons can simply be sewn onto the edge of the fabric.

[0022] In one embodiment, the retaining elements are spaced apart from one another, which may achieve better flexibility between adjacent retaining elements and may make the fabric easier to handle due to better flexibility of the edges of the fabric provided with the retaining elements, thereby allowing for creases to be made throughout the fabric.

[0023] In one embodiment, each retaining element is fixed at least substantially against rotation relative to the fabric about an axis that extends longitudinally through the retaining element and transversely to the respective edge of the fabric or edge of the ribbon attached to the edge of the fabric, thereby ensuring that the engaging portion of the retaining element cannot rotate relative to the fabric about such an axis and escape through the open slot of the longitudinal channel, as might otherwise occur depending on the longitudinal dimension of the engaging portion of the edge of the fabric or the corresponding edge of the ribbon attached to the edge of the fabric.

[0024] In one particularly advantageous embodiment that is easy to manufacture, each retaining element has the form of a metallic element that grips over a respective edge of the fabric or the edge of a ribbon attached to that edge of the fabric. For example, the ribbon with the retaining elements can be provided in the form of one half of a standard metal zipper of the classic zipper type, formed by casting individual metal pieces into teeth in the form of regularly spaced apart teeth on the zipper tape.

[0025] In one embodiment, each frame-shaped member has a rounded outer edge connecting the room-facing side of the frame-shaped member to the building-facing side of the frame-shaped member, and the fabric is bent around the rounded outer edge of the frame-shaped member, with the edges of the fabric secured to the building-facing side of the respective frame-shaped member.

[0026] The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing an architectural panel adapted to be attached to the ceiling or wall of a room, the architectural panel having a framework having a room-facing surface and a building-facing surface, the framework including a perimeter frame formed by frame-shaped members, a fabric stretched across the room-facing surface of the framework between the frame-shaped members, the stretching being achieved by attaching each edge of the fabric to a corresponding frame-shaped member using at least one stretch-shaped member, by releasably connecting the edges of the fabric to longitudinal channels of the stretch-shaped member, and by spring-biasing the stretch-shaped member to displace laterally relative to the frame-shaped member, thereby placing the fabric in a stretched state.

[0027] The method is characterized in that it provides a number of retaining elements at each edge of the fabric, flexibly arranged relative to one another along the edge of the fabric, inserts the longitudinal channel of each retaining element into the longitudinal channel through the open slot of the channel in a lateral insertion direction of the channel, and holds the engaging portion of each retaining element in the channel by a rotation moment tending to rotate the engaging portion of each retaining element around the longitudinal axis of the channel of the extended-shaped member, thereby forcibly locking the engaging portion of each retaining element into the channel, the rotation moment being generated by the tension of the fabric acting on each retaining element, thereby achieving the above-mentioned function.

[0028] The invention is explained in more detail below using examples of embodiments with reference to highly schematic drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view through one embodiment of a building panel according to the present invention. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is an enlarged detailed view of FIG. [Figure 2A] FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed view of FIG. 2. [Figure 2B] 2B corresponds to the view of FIG. 2A but for a different embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2C] 2B corresponds to the view of FIG. 2A but for a different embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the building panel of FIG. 1 showing various stages of the procedure for attaching and stretching the fabric of the building panel; [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the building panel of FIG. 1 showing various stages of the procedure for attaching and stretching the fabric of the building panel; [Figure 5] 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the building panel of FIG. 1 showing various stages of the procedure for attaching and stretching the fabric of the building panel; [Figure 6] 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the building panel of FIG. 1 showing various stages of the procedure for attaching and stretching the fabric of the building panel; [Figure 7] 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the building panel of FIG. 1 showing various stages of the procedure for attaching and stretching the fabric of the building panel; [Figure 8] 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the building panel of FIG. 1 showing various stages of the procedure for attaching and stretching the fabric of the building panel; [Figure 9] 9A-9C are perspective views corresponding to the views of FIGS. 3-8, but illustrating various stages in the procedure for releasing fabric tension and removing the fabric from the building panel. [Figure 10] 9A-9C are perspective views corresponding to the views of FIGS. 3-8, but illustrating various stages in the procedure for releasing fabric tension and removing the fabric from the building panel. [Figure 11] 9A-9C are perspective views corresponding to the views of FIGS. 3-8, but illustrating various stages in the procedure for releasing fabric tension and removing the fabric from the building panel. [Figure 12] 9A-9C are perspective views corresponding to the views of FIGS. 3-8, but illustrating various stages in the procedure for releasing fabric tension and removing the fabric from the building panel. [Figure 13] 2 is a top view of a portion of two frame-shaped members and a corner piece before these parts are connected to form the building panel of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 14] 14 is a perspective view of the part of FIG. 13 after connecting one of the two frame-shaped members with the corner piece. FIG. [Figure 15] 15 is a perspective view of the connected corner piece and frame-shaped member of FIG. 14, seen from a different angle of view. [Figure 16] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the part of FIG. 13 after connecting both of the two frame-shaped members and the corner piece. [Figure 17] 17 is a perspective view of a corner portion of the perimeter frame of the building panel shown in FIG. 16 after the building panel framework has been placed on a fabric stretched across the room-facing surface of the framework, seen from another angle of view. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a top view of the corner piece and fabric shown in FIG. 17. [Figure 19] 19A-19C are perspective views of the corner portion and fabric shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, illustrating different stages in the process of attaching the fabric to the corner piece. [Figure 20] 19A-19C are perspective views of the corner portion and fabric shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, illustrating different stages in the process of attaching the fabric to the corner piece. [Figure 21] 19A-19C are perspective views of the corner portion and fabric shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, illustrating different stages in the process of attaching the fabric to the corner piece. [Figure 22] 19A-19C are perspective views of the corner portion and fabric shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, illustrating different stages in the process of attaching the fabric to the corner piece. [Figure 23] 1A-1C are perspective views of a prior art corner piece for connecting frame-shaped members of building panels, viewed from different angles of view. [Figure 24] 1A-1C are perspective views of a prior art corner piece for connecting frame-shaped members of building panels, viewed from different angles of view. [Figure 25]FIG. 25 is a top view of the prior art corner piece of FIGS. 23 and 24. [Figure 26] 10A and 10B are perspective views of a corner piece for connecting frame-shaped members of a construction panel according to one embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from different angles. [Figure 27] 10A and 10B are perspective views of a corner piece for connecting frame-shaped members of a construction panel according to one embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from different angles. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a top view of the corner piece of FIGS. 26 and 27. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] In the following, generally, similar elements in different embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0031] Figure 1 shows one embodiment of a building panel 1 according to the present invention, configured to be attached to a ceiling or wall (not shown) such that the building panel framework 2 has a room-facing surface 3 and a building-facing surface 4. Note that if the building panel 1, as shown in Figures 1-12, is to be used as a ceiling panel, it must be inverted, so that the building panel 1 can form a suspended ceiling below a permanent ceiling within the building.

[0032] The framework 2 includes a peripheral frame 5 formed by frame-shaped members 6 between which a fabric (textile) 7 is stretched over the room-facing surface 3 of the framework 2. Each edge 8 of the fabric 7 is attached to a corresponding frame-shaped member 6 by at least one tension member 9, which is spring-loaded by a U-shaped elastic spring 14, and which extends in a tension direction D 1 to the side of the frame-shaped member 6. T The stretching direction D is the direction in which the fabric 7 is stretched. T2A-2C. The tension-shaped member 9 has longitudinal channels 10 to which the edges 8 of the fabric 7 are releasably connected. It should be noted that in order to reduce light reflection, some faces of the frame-shaped member 6 are provided with indentations 56. It should also be noted that for acoustic reasons, the frame 5 may enclose one or more batts of mineral wool 57, as shown in FIGS. 3-12. The building panel 1 can generally form an acoustic panel.

[0033] Each edge 8 of the fabric 7 is provided with a number of spaced apart retaining elements 11 that are flexibly arranged relative to one another along the edge 8 of the fabric 7. Referring to Figures 2A-2C, each retaining element 11 is inserted through an open slot 13 in the channel in the lateral insertion direction D of the channel. I 1. As can be seen, in the illustrated embodiment, the engagement portion 12 of each retention element 11 is aligned with the longitudinal axis A of the channel 10 of the extended-profile member 9 in its final insertion position within the longitudinal channel 10. L Free rotation around the longitudinal axis A of the channel 10 is prevented. L An example is shown in Figure 3.

[0034] As will be explained in more detail below, the retaining elements 11 may be secured directly to the edge 8 of the fabric 7, or the retaining elements 11 may be secured, for example by sewing, to a ribbon 18 attached to the edge 8 of the fabric 7. It is further noted that, as in the illustrated embodiment, the retaining elements 11 may be separate elements spaced apart from one another and distributed along each edge 8 of the fabric 7. This may achieve good flexibility between adjacent retaining elements 11, which may facilitate easier handling of the fabric 7 due to the increased flexibility of the edge of the fabric provided with the retaining elements, thereby allowing for creases to be formed throughout the fabric.

[0035] However, the retention elements 11 may be separate, possibly spaced apart, elements interconnected by flexible elements, spring-like elements, or the like, in addition to the connections formed therebetween by the edge 8 of the fabric 7 or the edge 19 of the ribbon 18. Typically, the retention elements 11 may be provided along the edge 8 of the fabric 7 at a density of about 100-500 elements / m, preferably about 200-450 elements / m, more preferably 300-440 elements / m, and most preferably about 400-430 elements / m, such as about 420 elements / m. Typically, the mutual distance between adjacent retention elements 11 at their points of attachment to the ribbon 18 attached to the edge 8 of the fabric 7 or to the edge 8 of the fabric 7 is at least equal to one-half the width of each retention element 11, preferably at least two-thirds the width of each retention element 11, and most preferably at least equal to the width of each retention element 11, measured in the longitudinal direction of the edge 8 of the fabric 7 at the point of attachment. Alternatively, each retaining element 11 can form part of an elongate element extending along the edge 8 of the fabric 7. For example, each retaining element 11 can be formed as part of a spring-like element, e.g., formed from thread or wire, e.g., made of metal or plastic. When formed from a plastic thread or wire, the spring-like element can be injection molded. The engaging portion 12 of each such retaining element 11 can be formed suitable for forcibly locking engagement with the channel 10.

[0036] It should be noted that, according to the illustrated embodiment, adjacent retaining elements 11 are spaced apart from one another to provide good flexibility across the edge 8 of the fabric 7. However, flexibility between adjacent retaining elements 11 can be achieved even if portions of adjacent retaining elements 11 touch one another. For example, the edge 8 of the fabric 7 may be elastic and / or the edges 11 of the retaining elements 11 that touch one another may be rounded to allow the edge 8 of the fabric 7 or the edge 19 of the ribbon 18 attached to the edge 8 of the fabric 7 to bend.

[0037] Handling of the fabric 7 may be made easier by the provision of retaining elements 11 flexibly arranged relative to one another along the edge 8 of the fabric 7, thereby allowing for creases to be formed throughout the fabric 7. This may allow for washing the fabric 7 in a washing machine, for example, before reattaching the fabric 7 to the panel 1.

[0038] As further illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2C, in the stretched state of the fabric 7, the tension F of the fabric 7 T is the longitudinal axis A of the channel 10 of the extended-shaped member 9 L A rotational moment M that tends to rotate the engaging portion 12 around R , thereby forcing the engagement portion 12 of each retaining element 11 into locking engagement with the channel 10.

[0039] 2A, the longitudinal channel 10 is provided with a protrusion 15 along a first edge 16 of the open slot 13 of the longitudinal channel 10, and when the fabric 7 is in a stretched state, the engagement portion 12 of each retaining element 11 is held within the longitudinal channel 10 by the protrusion 15. As can be seen, a first side of a rear end 24 of the engagement portion 12 is supported on the protrusion 15. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, during insertion of the engagement portion 12 into the longitudinal channel 10, the longitudinal D of the engagement portion 12 of the retaining element 11 is supported by the protrusion 15. L is the lateral insertion direction D of the channel 10 I However, when the fabric 7 is stretched, the longitudinal direction D of the engagement portion 12 is aligned with the L is the lateral insertion direction D of the channel 10 I In other words, according to this embodiment, in order for the engagement portion 12 to pass through the longitudinal channel 10, the longitudinal direction D of the engagement portion 12 must be at an angle to the longitudinal direction D of the engagement portion 12 as shown in FIG. L Insert the channel 10 in the lateral direction D. I However, the engaging portion 12 is inserted into the longitudinal channel 10, and the tensioning member 9 using the elastic spring 14 to keep the fabric 7 in tension is aligned in the tension direction D. T, the resulting tension F in the fabric 7 T acts on each holding element 11 and generates a rotational moment M R is generated, and this rotational moment M R The engaging portion 12 is aligned with the longitudinal axis A of the channel 10 of the elongated member 9. L 2A, in which further rotation of the retaining element 11 is prevented and the rear end 24 of the engagement portion 12 rests on the protrusion 15, thereby retaining the engagement portion 12 of the retaining element 11 within the channel 10.

[0040] As a result of the protrusions 15, attachment of the fabric 7 of the building panel 1 may be facilitated in that the engagement portions 12 of the retention elements 11 may be easy to position and hold within the longitudinal channels 10 until the fabric 7 is tensioned by actuation of the tensioning mechanism of the building panel 1. For example, by using a screwdriver 55 or similar tool to force the engagement portions 12 of the retention elements 11 into the channels 10, the engagement portions 12 may be trapped behind the protrusions 15 in the open slots 13 and held there until the fabric 7 is tensioned.

[0041] As can be seen in FIG. 2A, in the illustrated embodiment, the resulting tension F in the fabric 7 T is the longitudinal direction D of the engagement portion 12 L This causes the edge 19 of the ribbon 18 attached to the edge 8 of the fabric 7 to bend around the rounded edge of the protrusion 15, thereby increasing the tension in the fabric 7 to the resulting tension F shown in the figure. T As will be seen below, and as will be explained in more detail, the edge 19 of the ribbon 18 is provided with the retaining element 11. In the situation shown in FIG. 2A, a rotation moment M R As a result of this, the engagement portion 12 is biased in a rotational direction, but the engagement portion 12 is prevented from further rotation by the appropriate longitudinal axis A of the channel 10 of the extended-shaped member 9. LNote that the longitudinal axis A of the channel 10 is located between the attachment of the retaining element 11 to the edge 19 of the ribbon 18 and the first side wall 21 of the longitudinal channel 10. However, the longitudinal axis A of the channel 10 is not necessarily aligned with the first side wall 21 of the longitudinal channel 10. L The placement of may vary depending on a variety of factors, such as the configuration of the rounded edges of the protrusions 15, the configuration and orientation of the channels 10, and the exact configuration of the retaining elements 11. Similarly, depending on similar factors, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the resulting tension F in the fabric 7 may T may act on the holding element 11 in a direction different from that shown. Thus, according to this embodiment, the resulting tension F T The direction of is the longitudinal direction D of the engagement portion 12 L In particular, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the resulting tension F T Note that the direction of the arrows forms an angle with the side-insertion direction of the channel 10. Preferably, the angle is between 5 and 35 degrees, more preferably between 10 and 30 degrees, and most preferably between 15 and 25 degrees. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle is about 18 to 22 degrees.

[0042] It should be noted that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A , the longitudinal channel 10 is provided with a protrusion in the form of protrusion 15 only along the first edge 16 of the open slot 13 of the longitudinal channel 10. As can be seen, the second edge 17 of the open slot 13 opposite the first edge 16 of the open slot 13 is not provided with a protrusion, i.e., the second side wall 22 opposite the first side wall 21 of the longitudinal channel 10 forms the second edge 17 of the open slot 13 without forming a recess at the second edge 17. This facilitates subsequent removal of the engagement portion 12 from the longitudinal channel 10 in that the engagement portion 12 can simply be pushed in the direction of the second side wall 22 of the longitudinal channel 10 during removal. This may facilitate washing of fabrics in a washing machine, for example.

[0043] 2B and 2C, the longitudinal direction D of the engaging portion 12 of the holding element 11 L 1. The lateral insertion direction D of the channel 10 is the same as that of the longitudinal channel 10 both during insertion of the engagement portion 12 into the longitudinal channel 10 and subsequently in the stretched state of the fabric 7. I In fact, according to these embodiments, the longitudinal direction D of the engagement portion 12 is at least substantially aligned with L 2B, as can be seen, this is the maximum width W of the engagement portion 12. MAX The minimum width W of the open slot 13 of the longitudinal channel 10 MIN 2C, as can be seen, this is due to the fact that the maximum width W of the engagement portion 12 is slightly smaller than MAX and the thickness of the ribbon 18 attached to the edge of the fabric 7 is the minimum width W of the open slot 13 of the longitudinal channel 10. MIN As can be seen, according to this embodiment the holding element 11 is attached to one side of the edge 19 of the ribbon 18.

[0044] As described above, according to the embodiment shown in Figure 2A, in the stretched state of the fabric 7, the engagement portion 12 of each retaining element 11 is held inside the longitudinal channel 10 by the protrusions 15 disposed along the first edges 16 of the open slots 13 of the longitudinal channel 10, and the rear ends 24 of the engagement portions 12 are supported on the protrusions 15. However, according to the embodiment shown in Figure 2B, in the stretched state of the fabric 7, the engagement portion 12 of each retaining element 11 is supported by the rotational moment M R It should be noted that as a result of the geometry of the engaging parts, the fabric 7 is held inside the longitudinal channel 10. Furthermore, friction is generated between the engaging parts 12 and the side walls of the channel 10. Similarly, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2C, in the stretched state of the fabric 7, the engaging parts 12 of each holding element 11 are held inside the longitudinal channel 10 by the rotational moment M Rand as a result of the geometry of the engaging parts, are held inside the longitudinal channel 10. Also, in this embodiment, friction is created between the engaging portion 12 and the first sidewall of the channel 10, and between the ribbon 18 and the second sidewall of the channel 10.

[0045] Furthermore, as can be seen, according to the embodiment shown in Figures 2B and 2C, the resulting tension F in the fabric 7 T is the longitudinal direction D of the engagement portion 12 L and the insertion direction D of channel 10 I The engaging portion acts on the retaining element 11 in a direction that forms an acute angle with the engaging portion. An acute angle is desirable because in this case, as a result of the geometric shape, the retaining element 11 can be firmly held in the channel 10 even without frictional forces between the engaging portion and the channel 10. However, the angle may also be a right angle or even an obtuse angle.

[0046] It should be noted that embodiments other than those shown in Figures 2A-2C are also contemplated. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 2A, the retaining element 11 may be attached to a first surface of the edge 19 of the ribbon 18 or the edge 8 of the fabric 7, as shown in Figure 2C. In the embodiments shown in Figures 2A and 2C, the retaining element 11 may be attached to a second surface opposite the first surface of the edge 19 of the ribbon 18 or the edge 8 of the fabric 7, as shown in Figure 2C.

[0047] In all embodiments shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the lateral insertion direction D of the longitudinal channel 10 I is the expansion direction D of each expansion-shaped member 9 T This allows a sufficiently large rotational moment M to be applied to hold the engaging portion 12 of each holding element 11 of the channel 10. R Each holding element 11 is applied with a tension F of the fabric 7 so as to generate T can be guaranteed to work.

[0048] Preferably, a sufficiently large rotational moment M RIn order to generate the longitudinal channel 10, the lateral insertion direction D I is the expansion direction D of each expansion-shaped member 9 T The angle between the first and second electrodes is 20 to 160 degrees, preferably 40 to 140 degrees, more preferably 60 to 120 degrees, and most preferably 80 to 100 degrees.

[0049] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, as mentioned above, the open slot 13 of the longitudinal channel 10 has a minimum width W MIN As also mentioned above, the retaining element 11 prevents the engagement portion 12 from moving in the longitudinal direction D during insertion of the engagement portion 12 into the longitudinal channel 10. L The engaging portion 12 of each holding element 11 has a longitudinal direction D extending transversely of the longitudinal direction of the respective edge 8 of the fabric 7 or the edge 19 of the ribbon 18 and extending in the longitudinal direction D of the engaging portion 12. L The maximum width W in the direction extending horizontally MAX As will be appreciated, at the attachment position of the fabric 7, the longitudinal direction of each edge 8 of the fabric 7 or the edge 19 of the ribbon 18 attached to that edge of the fabric 7 is aligned with the longitudinal axis A of the channel 10 of the extended-profile member 9, as shown in FIG. L The maximum width W of the engagement portion 12 extends parallel to the MAX is the minimum width W of the open slot 13 of the longitudinal channel 10 MIN This may ensure that the engagement portion 12 of the retaining element 11 can be easily inserted through the open slot 13 into the longitudinal channel 10 without twisting, pushing, or otherwise manipulating the engagement portion 12 of the retaining element 11. In particular, the retaining element 11 can be easily inserted through the open slot 13 into the longitudinal channel 10 without twisting about an axis generally in the lateral insertion direction of the longitudinal channel 10.

[0050] 2A , longitudinal channel 10 has a bottom wall 20, a first side wall 21, and a second side wall 22 facing open slot 13. Engagement portion 12 of each retention element 11 has a front end 23, a rear end 24, a first side wall 25, and a second side wall 26. In the insertion position of engagement portion 12 within longitudinal channel 10, front end 23 of engagement portion 12 is positioned against bottom wall 20 of longitudinal channel 10, first side wall 25 of engagement portion 12 is positioned against first side wall 21 of longitudinal channel 10, and second side wall 26 of engagement portion 12 is positioned against second side wall 22 of longitudinal channel 10. It should be noted that in the embodiment shown in Figure 2A, the engagement portion 12 constitutes the entire retaining element, whereas in the embodiments shown in Figures 2B and 2C, the engagement portion 12 forms part of the retaining element 11.

[0051] 2A-2C, in the insertion position of the engagement portion 12 into the longitudinal channel 10, the engagement portion 12 of each retention element 11 is aligned with the longitudinal axis A of the channel 10 of the extended-profile member 9 as a result of the engagement between at least the first side wall 25 of the engagement portion 12 and the first side wall 21 of the longitudinal channel 10 and / or the engagement between the second side wall 26 of the engagement portion 12 and the second side wall 22 of the longitudinal channel 10. L The above-mentioned rotational moment M generated to hold the engaging portion 12 of each holding element 11 in the channel 10 is thereby R can result in engagement and / or frictional forces being generated between the first side wall 25 of the engagement portion 12 of the retaining element 11 and the first side wall 21 of the longitudinal channel 10, and / or between the second side wall 26 of the engagement portion 12 of the retaining element 11 and the second side wall 22 of the longitudinal channel 10. The engagement and / or frictional forces can effectively hold the engagement portion 12 of each retaining element 11 secured within the channel 10.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, as seen in Figures 2A-2C, a respective ribbon 18 is attached to each edge 8 of the fabric 7, and spaced-apart retaining elements 11 are provided on the edge 19 of each respective ribbon 18. The ribbons 18 may be attached to the edge 8 of the fabric 7 by stitches 62, as shown in Figures 2A and 18, or may be attached to the edge 8 by other suitable means, such as adhesive, thereby facilitating cutting the fabric 7 to size and attaching the retaining elements 11, in that pre-made ribbons 18 with the retaining elements 11 attached may be used.

[0053] Each retaining element 11 may have the form of a metal element that grips over a respective edge 8 of the fabric 7 in the illustrated embodiment or an edge 19 of a ribbon 18 attached to said edge 8 of the fabric 7 .

[0054] The ribbon 18 with the attached retaining elements 11 can advantageously take the form of one of two zipper tapes, corresponding to conventional zippers with zipper teeth. Zipper tapes can be provided as individual metal pieces cast and set at regular intervals on the zipper tape. Metal zipper teeth can be made of brass, aluminum, and nickel, for example. However, plastic materials can also be used for the teeth.

[0055] However, the spaced apart retaining elements 11 may alternatively be attached directly to the edge 8 of the fabric 7 .

[0056] 2A, the rear end 24 of the engagement portion 12 of each retention element 11 is secured to the edge 19 of the ribbon 18 attached to the edge 8 of the fabric 7. However, the rear end 24 of the engagement portion 12 of each retention element 11 may alternatively be attached directly to the edge 8 of the fabric 7.

[0057] Preferably, each retaining element 11 is at least substantially rotationally fixed relative to the fabric 7 about an axis extending longitudinally through the retaining element 11 and extending transversely to a respective edge 8 of the fabric 7 or an edge 19 of a ribbon 18 attached to said edge 8 of the fabric 7. Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 2A, the axis extending longitudinally through the retaining element 11 is aligned with the longitudinal direction D of the engagement portion. L This means that each holding element 11 extends in the longitudinal direction D shown in FIG. L , and it can therefore be ensured that the engaging portion 12 of the retaining element 11 cannot escape through the open slot 13 of the longitudinal channel 10 by rotating relative to the fabric 7 about such an axis.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, each frame-shaped member 6 has a rounded outer edge 27 that connects a room-facing surface 28 of the frame-shaped member 6 with a building-facing surface 29 of the frame-shaped member 6. The fabric 7 curves around the rounded outer edge 27 of the frame-shaped member 6, and an edge 8 of the fabric 7 is secured to the building-facing surface 29 of the respective frame-shaped member 6.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the method for manufacturing a building panel 1 according to the present invention, the method comprises stretching a fabric 7 across the room-facing surface 3 of the framework 2 between the frame-shaped members 6, attaching each edge 8 of the fabric 7 to a corresponding frame-shaped member 6 using at least one extension-shaped member 9, removably connecting the edge 8 of the fabric 7 to a longitudinal channel 10 of the extension-shaped member 9, and spring-biasing the extension-shaped member 9 for lateral displacement of the frame-shaped member 6, thereby placing the fabric 7 in a stretched state. Furthermore, this embodiment of the method comprises providing each edge 8 of the fabric 7 with a number of retaining elements 11 flexibly arranged relative to one another along the edge 8 of the fabric 7, and inserting the retaining elements 11 through open slots 13 of the channel 10 in a lateral insertion direction D of the channel 10. I the longitudinal channel 10 of each holding element 11 is inserted into the longitudinal channel 10, and the engaging portion 12 of each holding element 11 is aligned with the longitudinal axis A of the channel 10 of the extended-profile member 9. LRotational moment M that tries to rotate around R 10, by which the engaging portion 12 of each retaining element 11 is forced into locking engagement with the channel 10, and a rotational moment M R is the tension F of fabric 7 T acts on each holding element 11.

[0060] The various steps of the above-described embodiment of the method for manufacturing the building panel 1 are shown in Figures 3 to 8. Figures 9 to 12 show the various steps for removing the fabric 7 from the building panel 1, for example to wash the fabric 7. The fabric 7 can then be reattached to the building panel 1 in the same way as shown in Figures 3 to 8.

[0061] Figures 13-22 show one embodiment of a building panel according to the present invention. For example, as seen in Figure 16, adjacent frame-shaped members 6 are connected to one another by respective corner pieces 30. Each corner piece 30 has a diagonal slot 31 formed between opposing wall components 32, 33 of the corner piece 30 and extending at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal direction of each one of the adjacent frame-shaped members 6. As shown in Figures 18-22, excess fabric 34 at each corner 35 of the panel 1 is inserted into the slot 31 of the corner piece 30 and is held in place by elastic members 38.

[0062] Each corner piece 30, together with at least the adjacent frame-shaped member 6, forms an internal cavity 36 at a respective corner 35 of the panel 1. The internal cavity 36 extends laterally from both sides of at least a portion of the length of the slot 31 in the corner piece 30 behind the opposing wall components 32, 33. When inserted into the internal cavity 36 of the respective corner 35 of the panel 1, the excess fabric 34 at each corner 35 of the panel 1 at least partially forms a tubular shape 37 that extends on both sides of the slot 31 within the internal cavity 36 of the corner 35 of the panel 1. As can be seen in FIG. 22 , an elastic member 38 is disposed inside the at least partially tubular shape 37 formed by the excess fabric 34, thereby enabling all or at least a majority of the excess fabric 34 at the corner 35 to be picked up and held in a flexible and resilient manner, thereby ensuring a smooth finish to the fabric 7 and further facilitating easy removal and subsequent re-attachment of the stretched fabric 7.

[0063] The resilient nature of the arrangement of elastic members 38 within the at least partially annular shape 37 formed by the excess fabric 34 helps maintain the smooth finish of the fabric 7 at the corner piece 30 even as the fabric 7 generally stretches over time and as the fabric 7 generally shrinks as a result of washing. In such a case, the spring-loaded tensioned shape member 9 is biased in the tension direction D of the fabric 7. T While the fabric 7 may be displaceable, which generally compensates for stretching or shrinkage, prior art embodiments may cause uneven placement of the fabric 7 at the corners 35 of the building panel 1.

[0064] It should be noted that while the corner pieces 30 are shown as forming right angles between connected adjacent frame-shaped members 6 in the typical case of a perimeter frame 5 of a building panel 1 formed by four frame-shaped members 6, the corner pieces 30 may form different angles. For example, if the perimeter frame 5 of a building panel 1 is formed by six frame-shaped members 6, each corner piece 30 may form a 120-degree angle. However, of course, the corner pieces 30 may form different angles between each adjacent frame-shaped member 6.

[0065] As shown in Figures 26 and 27, each one of the opposing wall portions 32, 33 of the corner piece 30 has an inner surface 39 and an outer surface 40, which are at least generally flat and at least generally parallel.

[0066] As shown in Figures 26 and 27, each one of the opposing wall portions 32, 33 of the corner piece 30 has a maximum thickness t max As shown in FIG. 28, the diagonal slot 31 formed between the opposing wall portions 32, 33 of the corner piece 30 has a minimum width w min and the maximum thickness t max is the minimum width w of the diagonal slot 31 min smaller than the minimum width w min and preferably less than 1 / 2 of the minimum width w min and most preferably less than 1 / 3 of the minimum width w min This allows sufficient space for excess fabric 34 within the internal cavity 36 of the corner 35 of the building panel 1 while maintaining a smooth finish of the fabric 7 on the corner piece 30.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 22 , the excess fabric 34 forming the at least partially tubular shape 37 in the form of a tubular channel abuts against the inner surfaces 39 of the opposing wall portions 32, 33 of the corner piece 30. This allows the excess fabric 34 to be held in a stable manner. Preferably, the at least partially tubular shape 37 formed by the excess fabric 34 also abuts against the surfaces formed by each adjacent frame-shaped member 6, which form the inner surface 64 of the internal cavity 36. This allows the excess fabric 34 to be held in an even more stable manner. Although not clearly visible in the figure, it can be understood that the at least partially tubular shape 37 formed by the excess fabric 34 at each corner 35 of the panel 1 may have a shape that is at least partially tapered in a direction from the open top to the bottom of the at least partially tubular shape 37 when oriented generally as seen in FIG. 22 . As further seen in FIGS. 21 and 22 , the at least partially tubular shape 37 preferably has a generally non-circular cross-sectional shape. The cross-sectional shape of the at least partially tubular shape 37 may generally follow the interior wall of the interior cavity 36 nearest the excess fabric 34 that forms the at least partially tubular shape 37 .

[0068] 1, 16, 26, and 27, it can be seen that each one of the opposing wall portions 32, 33 of corner piece 30 extends at an oblique angle relative to the general surface P of building panel 1, which is shown in FIG. 1. This allows fabric 7 at corner 35 of panel 1 to properly abut against the opposing wall portions 32, 33, thereby conforming to the shape of the portion of edge 8 of fabric 7 attached to spring-loaded, extended-profile member 9, resulting in a smooth finish in the area of ​​corner 35.

[0069] 22, the elastic member 38 has the form of a helical spring. In its relaxed state, the diameter of the helical spring is equal to the minimum width w of the diagonal slot 31 in the corner piece 30. min22 , the helical spring 38 extends on either side of the slot 31 in the internal cavity 36 of the corner 35 of the panel 1, thereby further ensuring that the excess fabric 34 is properly held in place at the corner 35 of the building panel 1. The helical spring 38 is at least approximately equal to or greater than the helical spring 38, which may ensure that the excess fabric 34 is properly held in place at the corner 35 of the building panel 1. While the helical spring is only partially visible in FIG. 22 , it will be understood that the resilient member 38 in the form of a helical spring extends on either side of the slot 31 in the internal cavity 36 of the corner 35 of the panel 1. This may further ensure that the excess fabric 34 is properly held in place at the corner 35 of the building panel 1. The helical spring can be easily removed from its location within the at least partially tubular shape 37 formed by the excess fabric 34 within the internal cavity 36 of the corner 35, for example, if the fabric 7 needs to be washed or repaired. The helical spring can be removed, for example, by a screwdriver 55. In the illustrated embodiment, the resilient member 38 is in the form of a helical spring, but any suitable resilient element, such as an elastic hoop, or a piece of foam or rubber, may be used.

[0070] 22, the resilient member 38 in the form of a helical spring is still slightly deformed relative to its relaxed state in its attached position in the internal cavity 36 of the corner 35. This may be preferable to better retain the excess fabric 34 in the internal cavity 36. However, the helical spring nevertheless extends to either side of the slot 31 in the internal cavity 36.

[0071] As will be appreciated, in order to insert the resilient member 38 in the form of a helical spring through the slot 31 into the internal cavity 36 of the corner piece 35, the spring is preferably compressed somewhat from its relaxed state. As seen in FIGS. 20-22 , the excess fabric 34 is inserted into the slot 31, preferably using a tool such as a screwdriver 55, so as to form an at least partially tubular shape 37 extending on either side of the slot 31 within the internal cavity 36. At this stage, shown in FIG. 21 , the excess fabric 34 forms an opening through the slot 31 of the corner piece 30. That is, an opening in the form of a slot is formed within the at least partially tubular shape 37 formed by the excess fabric 34. The helical spring may be inserted into this opening, or into an opening found in the top of the at least partially tubular shape 37. In either case, the spring is preferably compressed somewhat from its relaxed state, at least while inserted into the slot 31. When the helical spring is inserted into a slot formed in the at least partially tubular shape 37, the helical spring can be deformed to form an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the helical spring by tilting the windings of the helical spring.

[0072] As shown in Figures 13 to 16, each corner piece 30 has a first leg 41 inserted into an end 42 of a first adjacent frame-shaped member 6 and a second leg 43 inserted into an end 44 of a second adjacent frame-shaped member 6.

[0073] 14 and 26, portion 45 of first leg 41 of corner piece 30 is inserted into first groove 46 of portion 47 to form the rounded outer edge 27 of the first adjacent frame-shaped member 6. Correspondingly, portion 48 of second leg 43 of corner piece 30 is inserted into second groove 49 of portion 50 to form the rounded outer edge 27 of the second adjacent frame-shaped member 6. A first wall portion 32 of the opposing wall portions of corner piece 30 is connected to portion 45 of first leg 41 of corner piece 30 through the longitudinal opening of first groove 46. Correspondingly, a second wall portion 33 of the opposing wall portions of corner piece 30 is connected to portion 48 of second leg 43 of corner piece 30 through the longitudinal opening of second groove 49.

[0074] As can be seen in FIG. 26, the first wall portion 32 of the opposing wall portions of the corner piece 30 is spaced apart from the first wall portion 32 of the opposing wall portions by an angle A. W 3. The corner piece 30 is connected to the portion 45 of the first leg 41 by a first intermediate wall portion 51 that forms an angle A with the second intermediate wall portion 33 of the opposing wall portion. W The corner piece 30 is connected to the portion 48 of the second leg 43 by a second intermediate wall portion 52 forming a

[0075] As can be seen in FIGS. 26-28, the diagonal slot 31 of each corner piece 30 is formed partially between the first intermediate wall portion 51 and the second intermediate wall portion 52 of the corner piece 30.

[0076] As can be further seen in Figures 13-20 and 26-28, each corner piece 30 has an extension 53 between the first leg 41 and the second leg 43. The extension 53 forms a smooth transition between the outer surface of the corner piece 30 itself and the rounded outer edge 27 of each adjacent frame-shaped member 6 when the corner piece 30 is connected to an adjacent frame-shaped member 6.

[0077] In the illustrated embodiment, the corner pieces 30 form an outer portion of each corner 35 of the building panel 1. Adjacent frame-shaped members 6 form part of the corners of the building panel 1 and are further interconnected by complementary corner brackets 60, as seen, for example, in FIG. 13. However, in alternative embodiments, each corner piece 30 may form the entire corner of a respective corner 35 that extends from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the perimeter frame 5 of the framework 2.

[0078] As can be seen in Figures 19-22, the ends of the ribbons 18 attached to each edge 8 of the fabric 7 that meet at the corners 35 of the building panel 1 include some retaining elements 11 that are not inserted into the longitudinal channels 10 of the respective extended-profile members 9. This is due to the fact that each extended-profile member 9 does not extend to the corners 35 of the building panel 1. However, the combined tension of the extended-profile members 9 and the elastic members 38 inserted into the at least partially tubular shapes 37 formed by the excess fabric 34 at the corners 35 of the building panel 1 acts to properly stretch and elongate the fabric 7 to form smooth corners 35, as can be seen particularly in Figure 22. While some of the retaining elements 11 that are not inserted into the longitudinal channels 10 are actually redundant and could be omitted, they are retained for ease of production.

[0079] 23-25 ​​show a prior art corner piece 30 for connecting frame-shaped members of a building panel 1. The prior art corner piece 30 includes a groove 31 formed between thick wall portions 58, 59 of the corner piece 30, into which excess fabric 34 is inserted. However, due to limited available space within the groove 31, it may not be possible to fit all of the excess fabric 34 at the corner 35 of the panel 1 into the groove 31. Therefore, a portion of the excess fabric 34 is typically cut away, and the remaining portion of the excess fabric is inserted into the groove 31. In this case, the fabric is typically held in place by adhesive. However, this prevents the fabric 7 of the building panel 1 from being removed from the panel 1 and then reattached, for example, after washing the fabric 7. This is because the fabric 7 is cut to fit the groove 31 of the prior art corner piece 30 and glued to the groove 31.

[0080] According to one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a building panel 1 according to the present invention, the method includes connecting adjacent frame-shaped members 6 to one another with corner pieces 30, bending fabric 7 around rounded outer edges 27 of the frame-shaped members 6, inserting excess fabric 34 at each corner 35 of the panel 1 into diagonal slots 31 formed between opposing portions 32, 33 of each corner piece 30, and retaining the excess fabric 34 by inserting elastic members 38. This embodiment further includes arranging the excess fabric 34 at each corner 35 of the panel 1 to form an at least partially tubular shape 37 extending on either side of the slot 31 within an internal cavity 36 of each corner 35 of the panel 1, and disposing elastic members 38 inside the at least partially tubular shape 37 formed by the excess fabric 34.

[0081] Below, some steps of a preferred method for manufacturing a building panel according to the present invention are described.

[0082] The framework 2, including the peripheral frame 5, is formed by frame-shaped members 6, each including a spring-loaded tension-shaped member 9, whereby adjacent frame-shaped members 6 are connected to each other by corner pieces 30, as shown in Figures 13-16 and 26-28.

[0083] The fabric 7 is cut to shape and provided with retaining elements 11 along its edges 8. Now, as shown in FIG. 18, the fabric 7 is placed on a flat surface, and the building panel framework 2 is placed on top of the fabric 7 with the room-facing surface 3 facing downward toward the fabric 7. If not already done, now, using, for example, a screwdriver 55, the spring-loaded extended-profile members 9 are displaced from the fabric-loaded position shown in FIG. 2 to the released position shown in FIG. 3, in which each spring-loaded extended-profile member is relatively close to the rounded outer edge 27 of the corresponding frame-shaped member 6 and the U-shaped elastic spring 14 is more compressed than in the fabric-loaded position of the spring-loaded extended-profile member 9. Each spring-loaded extended-profile member 9 is held in its released position by inserting a number of Z-shaped brackets into the grooves 63 of the spring-loaded extended-profile member 9. As can be seen, the Z-brackets 54 abut the edges of each frame-shaped member 6. The spring-loaded tension-shaped members 9 are held in their release positions by the Z-brackets 54 during the steps of Figures 3-7.

[0084] It should be noted that in FIGS. 1 to 12, the building panel 1 is shown upside down relative to the views in FIGS.

[0085] Referring now to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the fabric 7 is bent around the rounded outer edge 27 of the frame-shaped member. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, it can be seen that using a screwdriver 55, the retaining elements 11 of the fabric 7 are placed into the respective longitudinal channels 10 of the extended-shaped member 9. Referring to FIG. 7, all necessary retaining elements 11 of the fabric 7 are placed in the respective longitudinal channels 10. The Z-shaped brackets 54 are then removed from the building panel 1, so that the spring-loaded extended-shaped members 9 are released and displaced by their respective U-shaped elastic springs 14 from the released position to the fabric-extended position. The fabric 7 is now in a stretched state, as shown in FIG. 8 and as shown in FIG. 2.

[0086] At this step, shown in FIG. 19, the building panel 1 is ready for the attachment of excess fabric 34 to the corners 35 of the panel. First, using, for example, a screwdriver 55, the excess fabric 34 at each corner is inserted into the internal cavity 36 of the respective corner 35 of the panel 1, as shown in FIG. 20. The excess fabric 34 is now positioned as shown in FIG. 21. Finally, a resilient member 38 in the form of a helical spring is placed in the at least partially tubular shape 37 formed by the excess fabric 34 inside the internal cavity 36 of the corner 35. The fabric 7 is now fully stretched and smoothly attached to the corners 35 of the panel 1, as shown in FIG. 22.

[0087] If it is desired to wash or repair the fabric 7 at a later stage, the fabric 7 can be removed from the building panel framework 2 by first removing the helical spring and excess fabric 34 from the internal cavities 36 of the corners 35, for example, using a screwdriver 55. The fabric 7 can then be completely removed from the building panel framework 2 by following the steps shown in Figures 9-12. In Figure 9, the spring-loaded, extended-profile member 9 has been displaced away from its fabric-extended position to its released position, for example, using a screwdriver 55. In Figure 10, the spring-loaded, extended-profile member 9 is held in its released position by inserting multiple Z-shaped brackets 54 into grooves 63 in the spring-loaded, extended-profile member 9. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the retention elements 11 of the fabric 7 can now be removed from their respective longitudinal channels 10 in the extended-profile member 9, for example, using a screwdriver 55 and by hand. The fabric 7 can now be completely removed from the building panel framework 2 and washed in a washing machine (not shown) due to the flexible nature of the edges 8 of the fabric 7 with the retaining elements 11. The fabric 7 can then be reattached to the building panel framework 2 following the procedure outlined above.

[0088] It should be noted that while a complete procedure for attaching fabric 7 to the framework 2 of building panel 1 has been outlined above, not all of the steps outlined are necessary to attach fabric 7 to the framework 2 of building panel 1. For example, the general attachment procedure for attaching edge 8 of fabric 7 to each frame-shaped member 6 of a panel, shown in FIGS. 3-8, is an independent invention in itself and can be used without the method of attaching excess fabric 34 to corners 35 of panel 1, as shown in FIGS. 17-22. Instead, fabric can be attached to corners 35 by the method described above in connection with prior art corner pieces 30 shown in FIGS. 23-25. However, in this case, cutting excess fabric 34 to fit and gluing the remaining excess fabric 34 into grooves 31 of prior art corner pieces 30 may prevent fabric 7 from being easily removed and reattached to panel 1. On the other hand, as shown in Figures 17 to 22, the general method of attaching excess fabric 34 to corners 35 of panel 1 is also an independent invention in itself and can be adopted without the general attachment procedure of attaching edge portions 8 of fabric 7 to respective frame-shaped members 6 of the panel as shown in Figures 3 to 8. Instead, edge portions 8 of fabric 7 can be attached to respective frame-shaped members 6 of the panel according to the above-referenced prior art method not shown. However, in this case, fabric 7 may be precisely cut to fit the dimensions of building panel framing 2, and rigid edge bars may be attached to fabric 7 that do not allow edge portions 8 of fabric 7 to be folded, so that fabric 7 may not be easily removed from panel 1 and reattached. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] A W Angle between wall sections A L Longitudinal axis of the channel of the expanded member D l Lateral insertion direction of longitudinal channel D L Longitudinal direction of the engagement part D TExtension direction of extension-shaped member F T Fabric tension acting on the holding element M R rotational moment P General-purpose surface of building panels t max Maximum thickness of opposing walls of corner piece w min Minimum width of diagonal slot W MAX Maximum width of engagement part W MIN Minimum open slot width 1. Building panels 2. Architectural panel framework 3. Room-facing side of the framework 4. Building-facing side of the framework 5. Peripheral frame of the framework 6 Frame-shaped members 7. Fabric 8 Fabric edges 9 Expanded members 10 Longitudinal channel of the extended-shaped member 11 Retention elements 12 Engagement portion of holding element 13 channel open slots 14 Elastic spring 15 Longitudinal channel protrusion 16 First edge of open slot 17 Second edge of open slot 18 Ribbon 19 Ribbon edge 20 Bottom wall of longitudinal channel 21 first side wall of longitudinal channel 22 second side wall of longitudinal channel 23 Front end of engagement portion 24 Rear end of engagement portion 25 first side wall of engagement portion 26 second side wall of engagement portion 27 Rounded outer edges of frame-shaped members 28 Room-facing surface of frame-shaped member 29 Building-facing surface of frame-shaped member 30 Corner Pieces 31 Diagonal slots in corner pieces 32, 33 Opposite wall parts of corner pieces 34 Excess fabric at panel corners 35 Panel Corners 36 Internal cavities at panel corners 37 At least partially tubular shape formed by excess fabric 38 Elastic member 39 Inner surface of wall part of corner piece 40 Outer surface of wall section of corner piece 41 First leg of corner piece 42 End of first adjacent frame-shaped member 43 Second leg of corner piece 44 End of second adjacent frame-shaped member 45 Corner piece first leg part 46 First groove portion of portion forming rounded outer edge 47 Part forming the rounded outer edge 48 Corner piece second leg part 49 Second groove portion of portion forming rounded outer edge 50 Part forming the rounded outer edge 51 First intermediate wall section 52 Second intermediate wall section 53 Corner piece extension 54 Z-bracket 55 Driver 56 Indentation of frame-shaped components 57 Mineral wool 58, 59 Thick wall part of corner piece 60 Supplementary Corner Bracket 61 Zigzag Stitch 62 stitches 63 Z-bracket insertion groove 64 Inner surface of internal cavity

Claims

1. A building panel (1) configured to be attached to a ceiling or wall of a room, wherein a framework (2) of the building panel has a room-facing surface (3) and a building-facing surface (4), the framework (2) includes a perimeter frame (5) formed by frame-shaped members (6), a fabric (7) stretched across the room-facing surface (3) of the framework (2) between the frame-shaped members (6), each edge (8) of the fabric (7) being attached to a corresponding frame-shaped member (6) via at least one extension-shaped member (9), the extension-shaped member (9) extending in an extension direction (D) which is a lateral direction of the frame-shaped member (6) so as to keep the fabric (7) in an extended state. Ｔ ) and the extended profile member (9) has a longitudinal channel (10) that is detachably connected to the edge (8) of the fabric (7), Each edge (8) of the fabric (7) comprises a number of holding elements (11) flexibly arranged along the edge (8) of the fabric (7), and each holding element (11) is inserted in a lateral insertion direction (D) of the channel (10) through an open slot (13) of the channel (10). Ｉ ) into the longitudinal channel (10), and when the fabric (7) is in the stretched state, the engaging portion (12) is inserted along the longitudinal axis (A) of the channel (10). Ｌ ) rotational moment (M Ｒ ) so that the tension (F Ｔ ) acts on each retaining element (11) inserted into said longitudinal channel (10), thereby forcing said engaging portion (12) of each retaining element (11) into locking engagement with said channel (10).

2. 2. The building panel of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal channel (10) has a protrusion (15) along a first edge (16) of the open slot (13) of the longitudinal channel (10), and when the fabric (7) is in a stretched state, the engagement portion (12) of each retaining element (11) is retained inside the longitudinal channel (10) by the protrusion (15).

3. The lateral insertion direction (D Ｉ ) is the extension direction (D Ｔ 3. The building panel of claim 1, wherein the panel is oriented transversely to the first and second edges of the panel.

4. The engaging portion (12) of each holding element (11) is Ｌ ) is the side insertion direction (D Ｉ ) of the engagement portion (12) is configured to be inserted into the longitudinal channel (10) in a state where the engagement portion (12) is oriented in the longitudinal direction (D Ｌ ) is the side insertion direction (D Ｉ 4. The building panel of claim 1, wherein the building panel is configured for forced locking engagement with the channel (10) at an angle with the channel (10).

5. The open slot (13) of the longitudinal channel (10) has a minimum width (W ＭＩＮ ) and the engagement portion (12) of each holding element (11) has a longitudinal (D) dimension configured to displace the holding element (11) upon insertion of the engagement portion (12) into the longitudinal channel (10). Ｌ ) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of each edge (8) of the fabric (7) or the edge (19) of the ribbon (18) attached to the edge of the fabric (7), and extending transversely to the longitudinal direction (D Ｌ ), the engaging portion (12) of each holding element (11) has a maximum width (W ＭＡＸ ) and the maximum width (W ＭＡＸ ) is the minimum width (W) of the open slot (13) of the longitudinal channel (10). ＭＩＮ 5. The building panel according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the building panel is smaller than 1 / 2 mm.

6. The longitudinal channel (10) has a bottom wall (20) facing the open slot (13), a first side wall portion (21), and a second side wall portion (22), and the engagement portion (12) of each holding element (11) has a front end (23), a rear end (24), a first side wall portion (25), and a second side wall portion (26), and when the engagement portion (12) is inserted into the longitudinal channel (10), the front end (23) of the engagement portion (12) The building panel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first side wall (25) of the engagement portion (12) is arranged opposite the bottom wall (20) of the longitudinal channel (10), the first side wall (25) of the engagement portion (12) is arranged opposite the first side wall (21) of the longitudinal channel (10), and the second side wall (26) of the engagement portion (12) is arranged opposite the second side wall (22) of the longitudinal channel (10).

7. In the position where the engaging portion (12) is inserted into the longitudinal channel (10), the engaging portion (12) of each holding element (11) is aligned with at least one longitudinal axis (A) of the channel (10) of the extended-profile member (9) as a result of the engagement between the first side wall (25) of the engaging portion (12) and the first side wall (21) of the longitudinal channel (10) and / or as a result of the engagement between the second side wall (26) of the engaging portion (12) and the second side wall (22) of the longitudinal channel (10). Ｌ 7. The building panel of claim 6, wherein free rotation about said first and second edges is prevented.

8. 8. A building panel according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the rear end (24) of the engaging portion (12) of each holding element (11) is fixed to a respective edge (8) of the fabric (7) or to an edge (19) of a ribbon (18) attached to the edge (8) of the fabric (7).

9. 9. The building panel according to claim 6, wherein the longitudinal channel (10) comprises a protrusion (15) along a first edge (16) of the open slot (13) of the longitudinal channel (10), and wherein, when the engagement portion (12) is inserted into the longitudinal channel (10), the rear end (24) of the engagement portion (12) is supported by the protrusion (15) of the longitudinal channel (10).

10. 10. A building panel according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein each edge (8) of the fabric (7) has attached thereto a respective ribbon (18), and each ribbon (18) has provided at its edge (19) a retaining element (11).

11. A building panel according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the retaining elements (11) are arranged at a distance from one another.

12. 12. A building panel according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each retaining element (11) is fixed relative to the fabric (7) so as to be at least substantially non-rotatable about an axis extending longitudinally through the retaining element (11) and transversely to a respective edge (8) of the fabric (7) or an edge (19) of a ribbon (18) attached to the edge (8) of the fabric (7).

13. 13. A building panel according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein each holding element (11) has the form of a metallic element that grips over a respective edge (8) of the fabric (7) or an edge (19) of a ribbon (18) attached to the edge (8) of the fabric.

14. 14. A building panel according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein each frame-shaped element (6) has a rounded outer edge (27) connecting the room-facing surface (28) of the frame-shaped element (6) with the building-facing surface (29) of the frame-shaped element (6), the fabric (7) is bent around the rounded outer edge (27) of the frame-shaped element (6), and the edge (8) of the fabric (7) is fixed to the building-facing surface (29) of each frame-shaped element (6).

15. 1. A method for manufacturing a building panel (1) adapted to be attached to a ceiling or wall of a room, the building panel (1) having a framework (2) having a room-facing surface (3) and a building-facing surface (4), the framework (2) including a perimeter frame (5) formed by frame-shaped members (6), a fabric (7) stretched across the room-facing surface (3) of the framework (2) between the frame-shaped members (6), the stretching being achieved by attaching each edge (8) of the fabric (7) to a corresponding frame-shaped member (6) using at least one stretch-shaped member (9), by detachably connecting the edge (8) of the fabric (7) to a longitudinal channel (10) of the stretch-shaped member (9), and by spring-biasing the stretch-shaped member (9) to be displaced laterally of the frame-shaped member (6), thereby placing the fabric (7) in a stretched state. A number of holding elements (11) are provided at each edge (8) of the fabric (7) and are flexibly arranged with respect to each other along the edge (8) of the fabric (7), and are inserted through the open slots (13) of the channel (10) in a lateral insertion direction (D) of the channel (10). Ｉ ) the longitudinal channel (10) of each holding element (11) is inserted into the longitudinal channel (10) of the extended-profile member (9), and the engaging portion (12) of each holding element (11) is aligned with the longitudinal axis (A Ｌ ) rotational moment (M Ｒ ) to hold the engaging portion (12) of each holding element (11) in the channel (10), thereby forcibly locking the engaging portion (12) with the channel (10) and the rotational moment (M Ｒ ) is the tension (F Ｔ ) acting on each holding element (11).

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