Assembly kit, assembly comprising such a kit and assembly method

Abstract

The assembly kit (1) comprises at least two profiled elements (3) and at least two connecting members (5), configured to connect the profiled elements together in an assembled position. Each connecting member comprises at least one assembly portion (11) configured to be assembled with one of the profiled elements, and a connecting portion (13). In the assembled configuration in which the profiled elements have been assembled by means of the connecting members, the connecting portion of at least one connecting member, referred to as the receiving connecting member (5A), receives at least part of the connecting portion of at least one other connecting member, referred to as the received connecting member (5B, 5C).

Description

[0001] TITLE: Assembly kit, set comprising such a kit and assembly method

[0002] The present invention relates to an assembly kit. It also relates to an assembly comprising such a kit. Finally, it relates to a method for assembling such a kit.

[0003] For reasons of manufacturing processes, ease of transport, and modularity, many systems are available in kits and must be assembled to form a final structure, such as a piece of furniture. DE202010011493U is a known example of such a system, comprising panels designed to be assembled by inserting them into profiles. The profiles are connected at their ends by means of connecting pieces. Once assembled, the system forms a parallelepiped, in this case, a shelving system.

[0004] However, there is a risk of a panel coming loose from its profile once the system is assembled, compromising the stability and strength of the assembly. Furthermore, this assembly system is only compatible with rigid panels and does not allow for the assembly of flexible panels, such as nets or mesh. Finally, the structure proposed by DE202010011493U only allows for the assembly of parallelepiped-shaped structures.

[0005] The DE202010011493U system requires structural deformation when closing the last corner. This is because the connecting pieces are made from a single block, and it is not possible to simultaneously insert the ends of a connecting piece into two profiles without deforming at least one of the profiles.

[0006] The aim of the invention is therefore to offer a robust, practical assembly kit that offers more assembly possibilities.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to an assembly kit comprising:

[0008] - at least two profiles, each extending along a longitudinal axis of the profile,

[0009] - at least two connecting members, configured to join the profiles together in an assembled position, at least one of the connecting members comprising at least one assembly portion configured to be joined with one of the profiles, and each connecting member comprising a connecting portion; and such that, in the assembled configuration of the profiles by means of the connecting members, the connecting portion of at least one connecting member, referred to as the receiving connecting member, receives at least a portion of the connecting portion of at least one other connecting member, referred to as the received connecting member. Thanks to the invention, the profiles can be joined by means of the connecting members after being positioned in the assembled configuration.This feature allows for new wall and profile configurations, enabling, for example, the wall to be inserted into the profile first, perhaps from one side, and then the profiles to be joined together, thus improving the robustness of the assembly. Furthermore, this feature simplifies assembly in certain critical situations where the panels and profiles are fixed.

[0010] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the assembly kit includes one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically possible combination: at least one profile includes at least one notch configured to cooperate with an edge of a panel; the notch allows relative movement of the panel with respect to the profile along the longitudinal axis of the profile and does not allow relative movement of the panel with respect to the profile along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis;the connecting portion of at least one received connecting member is substantially flat and butts against the profile or against the connecting portion of a receiving connecting member, so that the assembly composed of the connecting portion of the receiving connecting member and the connecting portion of the received connecting member receives in the assembled position the connecting portion of another received connecting member, so as to allow the assembly of at least three profiles previously positioned in the assembled configuration;

[0011] - each connecting element comprises at least one assembly portion configured to be inserted into one of the profiles and a connecting portion comprising a stop means opposing penetration of the connecting portion into the profile;

[0012] - at least one connecting element is both received and received, its connecting portion comprising a first part received in the connecting portion of a receiving connecting element and a second part receiving the connecting portion of a received connecting element in the assembled configuration;the assembly kit includes at least three connecting elements, a single connecting element among the at least three connecting elements is a receiving connecting element, the other connecting elements, distinct from the single receiving connecting element, are received connecting elements, each of the received connecting elements comprising an assembly portion configured to be assembled with one of the profiles, the connecting portion of the receiving connecting element is hollow and configured to be traversed by the connecting portions of the received connecting elements, the connecting portion of the receiving connecting element defining as many openings of identical shape as there are received connecting elements;the linking portion of the receiving organ defines a primary opening and at least one secondary opening, the secondary opening having a cross-section smaller than a cross-section of the primary opening, the received linking organs comprise a primary organ and at least one secondary organ, the at least one secondary organ is configured to be inserted into the primary opening and to, in assembled configuration, be abutted against the linking portion of the receiving linking organ, the linking portion of the secondary organ passing through the receiving linking organ via the secondary opening, the primary organ is configured to be inserted into the primary opening and to, in assembled configuration, hold in position the at least one secondary organ, the linking portion of the primary organ passing through the receiving linking organ via the primary opening;The profiles are polygonal in cross-section, preferably square, and the connecting portions of the majority of the connecting elements are parallelepiped in shape, at least the edges of which are solid.

[0013] The invention also relates to an assembly consisting of:

[0014] - at least one panel with a raised edge, and

[0015] - a kit according to the above, in which the notch is suitable for cooperating with the bead.

[0016] The invention also relates to an assembly consisting of:

[0017] - at least one clamping element, capable of clamping an edge of a panel element to form a bead, and

[0018] - a kit according to the above, in which the notch is suitable for cooperating with the bead.

[0019] The invention also relates to a method for assembling at least two profiles from a kit according to the above, comprising:

[0020] - at least one positioning step, during which the profiles are positioned in the assembled configuration;

[0021] - at least one preliminary assembly step, during which the assembly portion of one of the receiving receiving members is inserted into one of the profiles; and - at least one final assembly step, during which the assembly portion of one of the receiving connecting members is inserted into the connecting portion of the receiving connecting member, and then into one of the other profiles, so that the profiles and connecting members considered are in assembled configuration at the end of the final assembly step.

[0022] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the drawings in which:

[0023] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of three profiles and three connecting elements of an assembly kit according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0024] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an assembly comprising a clamping element and two profiles and two connecting members of an assembly kit according to the invention;

[0025] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of different profiles that can be part of an assembly kit according to the invention;

[0026] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of various connecting elements of an assembly kit according to the invention;

[0027] [Fig. 5] Figure 5 is a larger scale perspective view of three other connecting members of an assembly kit according to the invention;

[0028] [Fig. 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of two profiles, a receiving connecting member and a received connecting member belonging to an assembly kit according to the invention, in unassembled configuration on the insert (A) and in assembled configuration on the insert (B);

[0029] [Fig. 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a profile, a connecting element, a retaining screw and a clamping block belonging to an assembly kit according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0030] [Fig. 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the profile, connecting member, retaining screw and clamping block of Figure 7, in a different configuration closer to the assembled configuration;

[0031] [Fig. 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a panel belonging to an assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0032] [Fig. 10] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a clamping element belonging to an assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0033] [Fig. 11] Figure 11 is a representation of tightening a thread, by means of the clamping element of Figure 10, in the unassembled configuration on the insert (A) and in the assembled configuration on the insert (B); [Fig. 12] Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of two profiles and seven connecting members of an assembly kit according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0034] [Fig. 13] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a receiver connecting element of the assembly kit of Figure 12;

[0035] [Fig. 14] Figure 14 is a perspective view of two profiles and six connecting members of an assembly kit according to a third embodiment of the invention

[0036] An assembly kit 1 according to the invention is partially shown in Figures 1 to 8. This assembly kit 1 comprises at least two profiles 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E and / or 3F and at least two connecting members 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5I, 5J and / or 5K. The number and type of profiles 3A-3F and connecting members 5A-5K are given only by way of example and are not limiting to the invention.

[0037] Below, profiles taken as a whole are identified by reference 3 and connecting elements taken as a whole are identified by reference 5.

[0038] The connecting elements 5 are configured to link the profiles 3 together in an assembled position, so as to form structures such as furniture, cages, containers, fish traps, etc. An assembled structure is either composed of the assembly kit 1 alone in its assembled configuration, in which case only the edges of the structure are solid, or comprises an assembly consisting of the assembly kit 1 and other elements in its assembled configuration, allowing, in particular, the formation of solid or perforated walls of the assembled structure. In both cases, the structure can take on a wide variety of shapes and uses.

[0039] Within the assembly kit 1, each profile 3 extends along a longitudinal axis X3 of the profile and is preferably hollow and polygonal in cross-section, or even more preferably square in cross-section. In the illustrated example, each profile 3 is in the form of a bar.

[0040] In an unrepresented variant, one or more profile(s) 3 are of a generally non-rectilinear shape, for example curved.

[0041] Figure 3 shows several non-limiting examples of profiles 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E and 3F. Some 3A-3D profiles advantageously include one or more notches 7, configured to cooperate with an edge of a panel. Advantageously, a notch 7 allows relative movement of the panel with respect to the profile 3 along the longitudinal axis X3 of the profile 3 and does not allow relative movement of the panel with respect to the profile 3 along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis X3 of the profile 3. In practice, this is achieved by means of a particular shape of each notch 7, which is wider towards the center of the profile 3 than towards a transverse end of the profile 3, and by a complementary shape of the edge of the panel cooperating with the notch 7. In this way, the panel can only be inserted by a longitudinal end of the profile 7, and can no longer move once the profiles are connected together in the assembled configuration, thus reinforcing the robustness of the assembly.

[0042] In an alternative design not shown, notch 7 allows the panel to rotate relative to profile 3 around a notch axis parallel to the longitudinal axis X3 and passing through notch 7. This is achieved by flaring notch 7 relative to the edge of the panel. Therefore, the panel is not necessarily perpendicular to a face of profile 3 containing notch 7 into which it is inserted.

[0043] Some 3F and 3E profiles may not have notch 7, allowing a wallless structure to be created.

[0044] At least one of the connecting members 5 includes at least one assembly portion 11 configured to be assembled with one of the profiles 3. In this example, each connecting member 5 includes at least one assembly portion 11.

[0045] Each connecting member 5 includes a connecting portion 13. Figures 4 and 5 show several non-limiting examples of connecting members 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 3G, 3H, 3I, 3J and 3K.

[0046] Each assembly portion 11 is configured to be inserted into one of the profiles 3. To achieve this, the assembly portion 11 is complementary to the internal geometry of the profiles 3. More precisely, the assembly portion 11 of each connecting member 5 is complementary to the internal geometry of the most restrictive profile 3, that is, the profile 3 with the smallest internal volume for a given length. In practice, in Figure 3, the most restrictive profile is profile 3A, which has a notch 7 on each of its faces. In other words, in this example, the assembly portion 11 of each connecting member 5 has a recess 15 on each of its sides. Thus, each connecting member 5 is compatible with all types of profiles 3.

[0047] The connecting portion 13 includes a stop means 17 opposing penetration of the connecting portion 13 into the profile 3. In practice, the stop means 17 is wider or not complementary to the internal geometry of the profile 3, so that it cannot penetrate it.

[0048] The assembly kit 1 is made so that, in the assembled configuration of the profiles 3 by means of the connecting members 5, the connecting portion 13 of at least one connecting member 5, called the receiving connecting member, receives at least a part of the connecting portion 13 of at least one other connecting member 5, called the received connecting member.

[0049] More specifically, the connecting portion 13 of the receiving connecting organ is hollow so that, in the assembled configuration, the connecting portion 13 of the received organ passes through the connecting portion 13 of the receiving connecting organ. In practice, the connecting portion 13 of the receiving connecting organs is preferably parallelepiped-shaped and hollow, so as to be able to receive the connecting portion 13 of a received connecting organ.

[0050] In the figures, the connecting elements 5A, 5D, 5E, 5I and 5K are receiving connecting elements.

[0051] In addition, the linking devices 5B, 5C, 5F, 5G, 5H and 5J are received linking devices.

[0052] The assembly kit 1 advantageously includes a connecting member 50 whose connecting portion 13 is substantially flat and abuts against the profile 3 or against the connecting portion 13 of a receiving connecting member, so that the assembly consisting of the connecting portion 13 of the receiving connecting member and the connecting portion 13 of the received connecting member receives, in the assembled position, the connecting portion 13 of another received connecting member. In other words, the connecting portion 13 of the connecting member 5C does not completely fill the hollow connecting portion of the receiving connecting member, so as to leave sufficient space for the connecting portion 13 of another received connecting member. This allows three connecting members 13 to be fitted together in the same corner of the structure, which enables the assembly of three profiles 3 previously positioned in the assembled configuration, as shown in Figure 1.

[0053] The connecting portions 13 of the other received connecting elements are advantageously parallelepiped-shaped and solid. Thus, these received connecting elements close the corner of the assembled structure.

[0054] Connecting elements of the type of connecting element 5C are in the minority in assembly kit 1. Thus, the connecting portions 13 of the majority of connecting elements 5 in assembly kit 1 are parallelepiped in shape, at least the edges of which are solid.

[0055] Advantageously, the assembly kit 1 includes connecting members 5I and 5J, called angled connecting members and shown in Figure 5, of which the connecting portion 13 includes an angled part 19. The angled part 19 is, for example, a triangular prism, one face of which is in contact with one of the sides of the parallelepiped part of the connecting portion 13, and another face is in contact with the assembly portion 11. Thus, the connecting members 5I and 5J are suitable for connecting two profiles 3 whose longitudinal axes X3 are neither parallel nor perpendicular to each other in the assembled configuration.

[0056] As shown in Figure 5, the receiving connecting members may include additional stop elements 20, configured to abut against the stop means 17 of the receiving connecting member. The additional stop element 20 may be positioned at one end of the connecting portion 13, as on connecting member 5K. The additional stop element 20 may also be provided at an intermediate position in the connecting portion 13, as on connecting member 5I.

[0057] Advantageously, the assembly kit 1 further includes at least one receiving and receiving connecting element 5A, as illustrated in Figure 6. In Figure 6, insert (A) represents a portion of the assembly kit 1 comprising the receiving and receiving connecting element 5A in its unassembled configuration. Insert (B) represents the same portion of the assembly kit 1 in its assembled configuration. As can be seen in the figure, the connecting portion 13 of the receiving and receiving connecting element 5A comprises a first portion 21 received into the connecting portion 13 of a receiving connecting element, and a second portion 23 receiving the connecting portion 13 of a received connecting element in the assembled configuration. In Figure 6, the receiving connecting element is the connecting element 5D, and the received connecting element is not shown.

[0058] The same connecting element 5 can be used in different assembled configurations, its role as receiver and / or receiver varying from one assembled configuration to another. Thus, the assembly portions 11 and the connecting portion 13 can be delimited differently on the same connecting element 5 depending on the configuration considered. For example, in the assembled configuration shown in Figure 1, the connecting element 5A is solely a receiver, whereas in the assembled configuration shown in the inset (B) of Figure 6, the connecting element 5A is both a receiver and a receiver.

[0059] The angled connecting elements 5I and 5J and the connecting elements that both receive and receive 5A allow for the assembly of non-parallelepiped structures. The variety of connecting elements 5, the variety of assembly kits 1, and the variety of possible assembly configurations for a single assembly kit 1 offer a very high degree of modularity in the structure.

[0060] The connecting elements 5 are advantageously made of a rigid material, such as a rigid polymer or a metal, providing rigidity to the assembly. Alternatively, the connecting elements 5 are made of a natural or synthetic elastomeric material, in particular rubber, providing flexibility and improved mechanical and seismic resistance properties to the assembly.

[0061] Assembly kit 1 conveniently includes fastening means, allowing the structure to be maintained in the assembled configuration.

[0062] The fastening means include, for example, retaining screws 25 and holes 27 configured to receive the retaining screws 25.

[0063] The holes 27 can be smooth or threaded, in which case they constitute threads. According to a first embodiment of the invention, visible in particular in Figures 1 and 2, the connecting portion 13 of each received connecting member is fixed to the connecting portion 13 of the receiving connecting member, at one end of the profile 3 and / or at the edge of the panel by means of the retaining screws 25.

[0064] In particular, in the example of Figure 1, the retaining screw 25 is inserted into the received connecting member 5B, into the complementary stop element 20 of the receiving connecting member 5A and into one of the notches 7 of the profile 3B. In the example of Figure 2, the retaining screw 25 is inserted into the received connecting member 5B, into the complementary stop element 20 of the receiving connecting member 5A and into a bead 35 which forms an edge of the panel.

[0065] According to an advantageous aspect of the invention which is represented by the distribution of the holes 27 in the figures, each connecting member received is preferably fixed by means of several retaining screws 25, preferably four retaining screws 25.

[0066] Alternatively, only certain received connecting elements are fixed, with the overall structure being secured by a system of interlocking parts. In particular, the connecting elements 5C, whose connecting portion 13 is substantially flat, are not fixed by screws. Indeed, as clearly visible in Figure 1, the connecting elements 5A and 5C are held in place by the received fixing element 5B once the latter has been secured by means of the retaining screws 25.

[0067] For this purpose, the holes 27 are positioned on the connecting portions 13 of the connecting members 5. In particular, some holes 27 are positioned on the additional stop elements 20 of the receiving connecting members. Alternatively, some holes 27 are positioned at a longitudinal end of a profile 3E, as shown in Figure 3.

[0068] According to a second embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 7 and 8, the assembly portion 11 of each connecting member 5 is fixed to one of the profiles 3 into which the connecting member 5 is inserted in its assembled configuration, by means of the retaining screw 25 and a clamping block 29, which are part of the fastening means. Alternatively, and as in the first embodiment of the invention, only some of the connecting members 5 are fixed to their profile 3.

[0069] To this end, the assembly portion 11 of the connecting members 5 includes a cavity 31, configured to face, in the assembled configuration, another cavity 31 positioned on a lateral face of a profile 3. Both cavities 31 receive the clamping block 29 in the assembled configuration. The holes 27 are positioned on the clamping block 29 and at the bottom of the cavity 31 positioned on the assembly portion 11. Thus, in the assembled position, the retaining screw 25 secures the connecting member 5, the profile 3, and the clamping block 29, as clearly shown in Figure 8.

[0070] Advantageously, assembly kit 1 is part of a set, including assembly kit 1 and elements to make walls of the structure.

[0071] According to a first example of the invention, the assembly comprises the assembly kit 1 and a solid panel 33, shown in Figure 9, the edges of which each have a raised edge 35. In other words, the raised edge 35 forms the edge of the panel. The notches 7 in the profiles 3 are then configured to cooperate with the raised edges 35, as described above. Thus, the panel 33, forming a wall of the structure in its assembled configuration, is securely held in that configuration.

[0072] The panel 33 is advantageously made of a rigid material, such as a rigid polymer, metal, or concrete. In particular, the ridges 35 of the panel 33 are made of a rigid material. In another, more advantageous embodiment, the ridges 35 of the panel 33 are made of a natural or synthetic elastomeric material, in particular rubber, providing flexibility and improved mechanical and seismic resistance properties to the assembly.

[0073] For a rectangular panel 33, or any other shape including angles, and comprising a bead 35 receiving a profile 3 on each of its edges, as illustrated in Figure 9, it is understood that the last two assembled profiles 3 must be connected while already positioned in the assembled configuration. The advantage of the characteristics of the connecting elements 5 described in this application for the construction of such a structure is then clear.

[0074] According to a second embodiment of the invention, the assembly comprises the assembly kit 1 and a clamping element 37, visible in Figures 2, 10, and 11. The clamping element 37 is initially in a loosened position, shown in the inset (A) of Figure 11. The clamping element 37 comprises two blades 39, spread apart in the loosened position, and a joint 41 connecting the two blades 39. The clamping element 37 is capable of clamping an edge of a panel element 43 in a clamped position shown in the inset (B) of Figure 11. In the clamped position, the two blades 39 are brought together by wedging the edge of the panel element 43 between them, the joint 41 then forming the bead 35. As described previously, the notches 7 of the profiles 3 are then configured to cooperate with the bead 35.

[0075] The panel element 43 can be of very diverse types, being solid, perforated, rigid, or flexible. For example, it can be a net or wire mesh, as shown in Figures 2, 10, and 11. The clamping element 37 then holds the panel element 43 taut, thus enabling the construction of structures with walls made of a flexible material, such as a net, wire mesh, or fabric. Furthermore, regardless of the type of panel element 43, the clamping element 37 acts as an adapter for any type of panel element 43 when used with the assembly kit 1, offering the advantages described above.

[0076] A method for assembling profiles 3 from assembly kit 1 is presented in the following description. The method is adaptable depending on the assembly kit 1 and the structure considered, but includes at a minimum a positioning step, a preliminary assembly step, and a final assembly step, as described below.

[0077] If the assembly kit 1 is part of an assembly according to the second example of the invention, a first step consists of clamping the panel element 43 with the clamping elements 37 by bringing the two blades 39 of each clamping element 37 together, for example with pliers.

[0078] Two or three beads 35 belonging to clamping elements 37 or to panels 33 are inserted into two or three profiles 3, while being connected to each other by a connecting member 5F, 5G or 5H. This operation is carried out for all free profiles 3.

[0079] This operation includes a positioning step, that is, positioning at least two profiles 3 in the assembled configuration. In particular, the profiles 3 form two or three sides of the same corner in the assembled position. At this stage, in the case of a three-profile corner, the assembly is in the position shown in Figure 1. The next step is to close the corner using the connecting elements 5.

[0080] For this, a preliminary assembly step consists of inserting the assembly portion 11 of one of the receiver connecting elements 5A 5E, 5J or 5K into one of the profiles 3.

[0081] Optionally, if there are three profiles 3 in question, the assembly process includes an intermediate assembly step consisting of inserting the assembly portion 11 of a connecting member 5C with a substantially flat connecting portion 13 into the connecting portion 13 of the receiving member 5A, 5E, 5J or 5K, and then into one of the other profiles 3. At this stage, two of the three profiles 3 are already connected to each other, the connecting portion 13 of the receiving connecting member 5A, 5E, 5J or 5K still being able to receive the connecting portion 13 of a received connecting member, and we reduce to the case of two profiles 3.

[0082] Then, a final assembly step consists of inserting the assembly portion 11 of a received connecting member 5B or 5F into the connection portion 13 of the receiving connecting member 5A, 5E, 5J, or 5K, and then into the remaining profile 3. By inserting the assembly portion 11 of the received connecting member 5B or 5F into the profile 3, its connection portion 13 enters the connection portion 13 of the receiving connecting member 5A, 5E, 5J, or 5K. At the end of the final assembly step, the profiles 3 and the connecting members 5 are in an assembled configuration.

[0083] Advantageously, the received connecting member 5B is then fixed to the receiving connecting member 5A or to one of the profiles 3 by means of the fixing means described previously in one or the other of the embodiments of the invention.

[0084] These steps are repeated as many times as necessary to close all the corners of the structure.

[0085] Figures 12 and 13 illustrate an assembly kit 1001 according to a second embodiment of the invention, the assembly kit 1001 being identical to the assembly kit 1 of the first embodiment, except for the features described below. The reference numerals for the assembly kit 1001 correspond to those of the assembly kit 1 when the referenced element is unchanged. The reference numerals are increased by 1000 when they designate similar but modified elements in the assembly kit 1001.

[0086] Assembly kit 1001 includes at least three connecting elements 1005. Only one connecting element 1005A among the at least three connecting elements 1005 is a receiving connecting element. The other connecting elements 1005, other than the single connecting element 1005A, are received connecting elements.

[0087] In this example, assembly kit 1001 includes seven connecting elements 1005. The connecting elements 1005 include a single receiving element 1005A and six receiving connecting elements 1005B, 1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F, 1005G.

[0088] The link portion 1013 of the receiving link member 1005A is hollow and configured to be traversed by the link portions 1013 of the received link members 1005B, 1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F, 1005G. In this example, the receiving link member 1005A is formed only by its link portion 1013.

[0089] More specifically, the connecting member 1005A has a parallelepiped shape and is preferably cubic and the connecting portion 1013 defines a volume V1013A.

[0090] The linking portion 1013 of the receiving linking member 1005A defines as many openings 1300, of identical shapes, as there are received linking members 1005B, 1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F, 1005G.

[0091] In this example, the connecting portion 1013 of the receiving connecting member 1005A defines six square openings 1300, uniformly distributed over the cubic connecting portion 1013 and opening into the volume V1013A. In other words, each face of the connecting portion 1013 of the receiving connecting member 1005A includes an opening 1300 centered on the respective face.

[0092] The linking portion 1013 of the receiver linking element 1005A defines a main opening 1300B and five secondary openings 1300C, 1300D, 1300E, 1300F, 1300G. The cross-section of the secondary openings 1300C, 1300D, 1300E, 1300F, 1300G is smaller than a cross-section of the main opening 1300B.

[0093] The connecting portion 1013 of the receiving connecting member 1005A comprises five grooves 1305. Each of the grooves 1305 is, respectively, formed around one of the secondary openings 1300C, 1300D, 1300E, 1300F, 1300G and opens into the volume V1013A. In other words, the grooves 1305 have a shape similar to the shape of the secondary openings 1300C, 1300D, 1300E, 1300F, 1300G, i.e., square in this example.

[0094] Each of the received connecting members 1005B, 1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F, 1300G includes an assembly portion 1011 configured to be assembled with one of the profiles 3.

[0095] Each of the connecting members 1005B, 1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F is hollow and defines a volume V1005. Thus, the profiles 3 can be inserted into the assembly portions 1011 of the connecting members 1005B, 1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F. Alternatively, the assembly portions 1011 can also be inserted into a profile 3.

[0096] The received linking organs 1005B, 1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F, 1005G comprise a main organ 1005B and five secondary organs 1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F, 1005G.

[0097] The connecting portion 1013 of the secondary members 1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F, 1005G includes a portion 1309 extending the assembly portion 1011 and a connecting plate 1310 which extends perpendicularly to the assembly portion 1011 at one end of the portion 1309. As visible only for the secondary connecting member 1005F in Figure 12, the connecting plate 1310 of each of the secondary connecting members 1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F, 1005G includes an opening 1315 leading into the volume V1005. The connecting plate 1310 has a cross-section of the same shape as a cross-section of the assembly portion 11, the cross-section of the connecting plate 1310 being greater than the cross-section of the assembly portion 1011.

[0098] In this example, each of the sections of the connecting plates 1310 has the same shape as the sections of the openings 1300. Each of the connecting plates 1310 has a section smaller than the section of the main opening 1300B and larger than the section of the secondary openings 1300C, 1300D, 1300E, 1300F, 1300G.

[0099] The main organ 1005B comprises the assembly portion 1011 and the connecting portion 1013. The connecting portion 1013 of the main organ 1005B includes a portion 1309 extending from the assembly portion 1011 and, at one end of the portion 1009, a hollow body 1320 defining a volume V1320. The body 1320 has a shape similar to the connecting portion 1013 of the receiving organ 1005A. The body 1320 has a cubic shape and extends from the assembly portion 1011 so that the volume V1320 opens into the volume V1005. The body 1320 has a cross-section identical to that of the main opening 1300B. The body defines openings 1325 formed on each of its faces and opening into the volume V1320.

[0100] During assembly, a secondary component 1005C, respectively 1005D, 1005E, 1005F, 1005G is inserted into the main opening 1300B then the assembly part 1011 of the secondary component 1005C, respectively 1005D, 1005E, 1005F, 1005G is inserted into the secondary opening 1300C, respectively 1300D, 1300E, 1300F, 1300G until the connecting plate 1310 comes to rest against the groove 1305 of the secondary opening 1300C, respectively 1300D, 1300E, 1300F, 1300G. Thus, in the assembled configuration, the secondary organs 1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F, 1005G are in contact with the connecting portion 1013 of the receiving connecting organ 1005A and the connecting portions 1013 of the secondary organs 1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F, 1005G respectively pass through the receiving connecting organ 1005A through the secondary openings 1300C, 1300D, 1300E, 1300F, 1300G.

[0101] Once the secondary organs 1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F, 1005G are assembled to the receiving linking organ 1005A, the body 1320 of the main organ 1005B is inserted into the main opening 1300B until the body 1320 is butted against the linking plates 1310 of the secondary organs 1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F, 1005G. Thus, in the assembled configuration, the main component 1005B holds the secondary components 1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F, 1005G in position, and the connecting portion 1013 of the main component 1005B passes through the receiving connecting component 1005A via the main opening 1300A. In other words, in the assembled configuration, the connecting plates 1310 are held in position between the grooves 1305 and the body 1320.

[0102] In this example, the openings 1325 of the body 1320 have the same shape as the openings 1315 of the connecting plates 1310 and are positioned, in the assembled position, opposite the openings 1315 of the connecting plates 1310. Thus, the volumes V1005 can communicate with each other via the volume V1320. The use of hollow connecting elements 1005B, 1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F allows cables or fluids to pass through the profiles.

[0103] In an alternative configuration not shown, the assembly kit includes fewer than six secondary components. These secondary components are then replaced by plugs housed in the openings 1325 of the body 1320, thus maintaining the structure's watertightness at its corner.

[0104] Figure 14 illustrates assembly kit 2001 according to a third embodiment of the invention, assembly kit 2001 being identical to assembly kit 1001 of the second embodiment except for the features described below. The reference numerals for assembly kit 1001 correspond to those of assembly kit 1001 when the referenced element is unchanged. The reference numerals are increased by 1000 when they designate similar but modified elements in assembly kit 2001.

[0105] The receiving connecting member 2005A has a spherical shape, and the openings 2300 and the receiving connecting members 2005B, 2005C, 2005D, 2005E, 2005F have a circular cross-section. In Figure 14, the receiving connecting members 2005B, 2005C, 2005D, 2005E, 2005F are shown in the mounted position within the receiving connecting member 2005A.

[0106] The 2001 assembly kit includes a 2400 plug blocking one of the 2300 openings.

[0107] Regardless of the method of implementation, connecting elements allow all the angles of a rigid structure to be closed. Indeed, since the connecting elements are successively received one into the other and inserted into the profiles to form an angle, it is not necessary to twist one of the profiles to allow the angle to be closed, as would be the case with a connecting element comprising insertion portions that are integral with the same block.

[0108] Any feature described above for one embodiment or variant can also be implemented in the other embodiments and variants described, insofar as technically possible.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Assembly kit (1; 1001; 2001), comprising: at least two profiles (3), each extending along a longitudinal axis (X3) of the profile (3), at least two connecting members (5; 1005; 2005), configured to connect the profiles (3) together in an assembled position, at least one of the connecting members (5; 1005; 2005) comprising at least one assembly portion (11; 1011) configured to be assembled with one of the profiles (3) and each connecting member (5) comprising a connecting portion (13; 1013); characterized in that, in the assembled configuration of the profiles (3) by means of the connecting members (5; 1005; 2005), the connecting portion (13; 1013) of at least one connecting member (5; 1005; 2005), referred to as the receiving connecting member (5A, 5D, 5E, 5I, 5K; 1005A; 2005A), receives at least a part of the connecting portion (13; 1013) of at least one other connecting member (5; 1005; 2005), referred to as the received connecting member (5B, 5C, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5J;1005B, 1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F; 1005G; 2005B, 2005C, 2005D, 2005E, 2005F).; 2. Kit (1, 1001; 2001) according to claim 1, wherein at least one profile (3) comprises at least one notch (7) configured to cooperate with an edge (35) of a panel.

3. Kit (1; 1001; 2001) according to claim 2, wherein the notch (7) permits relative movement of the panel with respect to the profile (3) along the longitudinal axis (X3) of the profile (3) and does not permit relative movement of the panel with respect to the profile (3) along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis (X3).

4. Kit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting portion (13) of at least one received connecting member (5C) is substantially flat and abuts against the profile (3) or against the connecting portion (13) of a receiving connecting member (5A, 5D, 5E, 5I, 5K), so that the assembly consisting of the connecting portion (13) of the receiving connecting member (5A, 5D, 5E, 5I, 5K) and the connecting portion (13) of the received connecting member (5C) receives in the assembled position the connecting portion (13) of another received connecting member (5B, 5C, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5J), so as to allow the assembly of at least three profiles (3) previously positioned in the assembled configuration.

5. Assembly kit (1), according to any one of the preceding claims in which each connecting member (5) comprises at least one assembly portion (11) configured to be inserted into one of the profiles (3) and a connecting portion (13) comprising a stop means (17) opposing penetration of the connecting portion (13) into the profile (3).

6. Kit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one connecting member (5A) is both received and receiving, its connecting portion (13) comprising a first part (21) received in the connecting portion (13) of a receiving connecting member (5D, 5E, 5I, 5K) and a second part (23) receiving the connecting portion (13) of a received connecting member (5B, 5C, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5J) in the assembled configuration.

7. Assembly kit (1001; 2001), according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: the assembly kit (1001; 2001) comprises at least three connecting elements (1005; 2005), a single connecting element (1005A; 2005A) among the at least three connecting elements (1005; 2005) is a receiving connecting element, the other connecting elements (1005B, 1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F; 1005G; 2005B, 2005C, 2005D, 2005E, 2005F), distinct from the single receiving connecting element (1005A; 2005A), are received connecting elements, each of the received connecting elements (1005B, 1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F; 1005G; 2005B, 2005C, 2005D, 2005E, 2005F) comprising an assembly portion (1011) configured to be assembled with one of the profiles (3), the connecting portion (1013) of the receiving connecting member (1005A; 2005A) is hollow and configured to be traversed by the connecting portions (1013) of the received connecting members (1005B, 1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F; 1005G;2005B, 2005C, 2005D, 2005E, 2005F), the connecting portion (1013) of the receiving connecting element (1005A; 2005A) defining as many openings (1300; 2300) of identical shape as there are received connecting elements (1005B, 1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F; 1005G; 2005B, 2005C, 2005D, 2005E, 2005F).; 18 8. Assembly kit (1001; 2001) according to the preceding claim, wherein: the connecting portion (1013) of the receiving member (1005A; 2005A) defines a main opening (1300B) and at least one secondary opening (1300C, 1300D, 1300E, 1300F, 1300G), the secondary opening (1300C, 1300D, 1300E, 1300F, 1300G) having a cross-section smaller than a cross-section of the main opening (1300B), the received connecting members (1005B, 1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F; 1005G; 2005B, 2005C, 2005D, 2005E, 2005F) include a main component (1300B) and at least one secondary component (1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F; 1005G), the at least one secondary component (1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F; 1005G) is configured to be inserted into the main opening (1300B) and, in the assembled configuration, to be abutted against the linking portion (1013) of the receiving linking component (1005A; 2005A), the linking portion (1013) of the secondary component (1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F;1005G) passing through the receiving connecting member (1005A; 2005A) through the secondary opening (1300C, 1300D, 1300E, 1300F, 1300G), the main member (1005B) is configured to be inserted into the main opening (1300B) and to, in assembled configuration, hold in position at least one secondary member (1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F; 1005G), the connecting portion (1013) of the main member (1005B) passing through the receiving connecting member (1005A, 2005A) through the main opening (1300B).

9. Kit (1; 1001) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the profiles (3) are of polygonal cross-section, preferably square, and the connecting portions (13; 1013) of the majority of the connecting members (5; 1005) are of parallelepiped shape, at least the edges of which are solid.

10. Kit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting portion (13) of at least one connecting member (5I, 5K) comprises an angled part (19) enabling the connecting member (5I, 5K) to connect two profiles (3) whose longitudinal axes (X3) are neither parallel nor perpendicular to each other in the assembled configuration. 19 11. Assembly consisting of: at least one panel (33) having edges with a bead (35), and a kit (1; 1001; 2001) according to claim 3 or any one of claims 4 to 10 taken with claim 3, wherein the notch (7) is able to cooperate with the bead (35).

12. Assembly consisting of: at least one clamping element (37), suitable for clamping an edge of a panel element (43) so as to form a bead (35), and a kit (1; 1001; 2001) according to claim 3 or any one of claims 4 to 10 taken with claim 3, wherein the notch (7) is suitable for cooperating with the bead (35).

13. Method of assembling at least two profiles of a kit (1, 1001; 2001) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising: at least one positioning step, during which the profiles (3) are positioned in the assembled configuration; at least one preliminary assembly step, during which the assembly portion (11; 1011) of one of the receiving members (5A, 5D, 5E, 5I, 5K; 1005A; 2005A) is inserted into one of the profiles (3); and at least one final assembly step, during which the assembly portion (11; 1011) of one of the received connecting members (5B, 5C, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5J; 1005B, 1005C, 1005D, 1005E, 1005F; 1005G; 2005B, 2005C, 2005D, 2005E, 2005F) is inserted into the connecting portion (13; 1013) of the receiving connecting member (5A, 5D, 5E, 5I, 5K; 1005A; 2005A), and then into one of the other profiles (3), so that the profiles (3) and the connecting members (5; 1005;2005) considered are in assembled configuration at the end of the final assembly stage.;

Images