Fixing kit and method for fixing a longitudinal element

Abstract

A fixing kit for installing longitudinal elements, in particular for forming sun shading screens, partition structures, panels or similar architectural elements, comprises, for each element end, a pair of plate-like elements (10, 30). A first plate-like element (10) is suitable for being fixed to a flat support (1002; 1004), a second plate-like element (30) suitable for being fixed to a respective end of the longitudinal element (100). The two plate-like elements are configured to obtain a mutual male-female type coupling which, in use, is actuated in an insertion direction (Y) perpendicular to the element axis (X).

Description

"FIXING KIT AND METHOD FOR FIXING A LONGITUDINAL ELEMENT"DESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing kit for a longitudinal element , in particular suitable for forming, together with other longitudinal elements , sun shading screens , partition structures , panels or similar architectural elements .

[0002] As is known, these longitudinal elements , in some cases also referred to as " slats" or "profiles" , are increasingly used in civil and industrial construction, both indoor and outdoor . Also in the implementation and installation of these elements , increasing attention is being paid to the aesthetic cleanliness of the lines , ease of installation and the absence or reduction of maintenance activities .

[0003] However, in order to be installed between two support elements , for example a floor and a ceiling or a shel f in the case of vertical installation, or between two vertical walls in the case of hori zontal installation, brackets , bars , pockets or other anchoring devices are currently used, which are clearly visible to the detriment of the lightness and elegance of the structure , are di f ficult and uncomfortable to install , and also require a certain skill when coupling with the longitudinal elements .

[0004] The obj ect of the present invention is to provide afixing kit and an installation method capable of overcoming the drawbacks complained of above .

[0005] Said obj ect is achieved with a fixing kit in accordance with claim 1 and with an installation method according to claim 11 . The dependent claims describe preferred or advantageous embodiments of the kit and the method according to the invention .

[0006] The features and advantages of the kit and the method according to the invention will in any case be evident from the description below of preferred embodiments thereof , given by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying figures , in which :

[0007] - Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a fixing kit according to the invention and of a respective end of a longitudinal element ;

[0008] - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the assembled fixing kit ;

[0009] - Figure 3 is a plan view of the fixing kit ;

[0010] - Figures 3a and 3b are two axial sections of the fixing kit , along lines D-D and E-E of figure 3 , respectively;

[0011] - Figure 4 is a perspective view of an anchoring plate of the fixing kit according to the invention, in a alternative embodiment ;

[0012] - Figure 5 is a perspective view of an example ofa longitudinal element at the ends of which the fixing kit according to the invention is applied;

[0013] - Figure 6 is a plan view of the longitudinal element with the fixing kit applied;

[0014] - Figures 6a, 6b are axial sections of the longitudinal element , along lines A-A, B-B of figure 6 , respectively;

[0015] - Figures 7 , 7a and 7b are enlarged perspective views of the axial sections of figures 6a, 6b and of an axial section along line C-C of figure 6 , respectively, at a lower end portion of the longitudinal element ;

[0016] - Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of a longitudinal element , of the fixing kit and of two flat supports between which the longitudinal element is to be installed; and

[0017] - Figure 9 shows , in perspective view, the longitudinal element installed between the two flat supports .

[0018] In said drawings , number 1 denotes a fixing kit according to the invention as a whole .

[0019] All directional references ( for example , upper, lower, upward, downward, left , right , to the left , to the right , top, bottom, above , below, vertical , hori zontal , clockwise and counterclockwise ) are used solely for identi fication purposes to assist the reader inunderstanding the embodiments described and do not impose limitations , particularly with regard to the position, orientation or use of the embodiments described .

[0020] Connection references ( for example , fixed, coupled, connected and the like ) are to be interpreted broadly and may include intermediate elements between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements . Therefore , connection references do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly and fixedly connected to one another .

[0021] The fixing kit 1 is suitable for installing a longitudinal element 100 between a first flat support 1002 and a second flat support 1004 , for example parallel to the first one ( figures 8 and 9 ) .

[0022] The longitudinal element 100 is so defined as it extends mainly along a main element axis X . The longitudinal element 100 is therefore an oblong body in the form of a bar, beam or upright .

[0023] For example , the longitudinal element 100 is of the type suitable for forming, when installed together with other similar elements , sun shading screens , partition structures , panels or similar architectural elements .

[0024] The longitudinal element 100 is al so referred to , in the technical j argon of sun shading screens or partition walls , as a slat or profile .

[0025] The longitudinal element 100 can be installed vertically between a floor and a ceiling, or a shel f , or hori zontally between two vertical wal ls .

[0026] The longitudinal element extends between two element ends 100a, 100b along the element axis X . The fixing kit 1 is applied to each of the two element ends (but in some cases may also be applied to only one end) to connect the element end 100a ; 100b to a respective flat support 1002 ; 1004 .

[0027] In a general embodiment , the fixing kit 1 comprises , for each element end, a pair of plate-like elements 10 , 30 . A first plate-like element 10 is suitable for being fixed to a flat support 1002 ; 1004 and a second plate-like element 30 is suitable for being fixed to a respective element end 100 ; 100b .

[0028] Said first plate-like element 10 and second platelike element 30 are configured to achieve a mutual malefemale type coupling which, in use , is actuated in an insertion direction Y perpendicular to the element axis X .

[0029] In one embodiment , the kit further comprises locking means suitable for simultaneously engaging the two platelike elements 10 , 30 when they are coupled to one another so as to prevent an undesired extraction of the second plate-like element 30 from the first plate-like element 10 .

[0030] In one embodiment , the first plate-like element 10 is of female type and the second plate-like element 30 is of male type .

[0031] Examples of embodiments of the fixing kit will be described below with reference to the figures .

[0032] In one embodiment , the first plate-like element 10 consists of an anchoring plate 10 suitable for being fixed to a respective flat support 1002 ; 1004 .

[0033] The anchoring plate 10 is delimited by two main surfaces 102 , 104 , parallel and opposite to each other, which define the plan shape of the anchoring plate 10 , and by a lateral surface 106 , which defines the thickness of the anchoring plate 10 .

[0034] For example , the anchoring plate 10 has a rectangular shape when viewed in plan, with the lateral surface 106 formed by four walls .

[0035] A plate compartment 108 is formed in the anchoring plate 10 .

[0036] Preferably, the plate compartment 108 extends completely through the thickness of the anchoring plate 10 , that is , it has a depth equal to the thickness of the anchoring plate 10 .

[0037] Furthermore , the plate compartment 108 is open on the lateral surface 106 of the anchoring plate 10 so as to form an insertion opening 110 in said lateral surface 106 .

[0038] In one embodiment , the plate compartment 108 extends from the insertion opening 110 beyond the midpoint of the plan extension of the anchoring plate 10 , for example up to the vicinity of the opposite side of the lateral surface .

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment , the plate compartment 108 is delimited by two parallel edges 108 ' extending from the insertion opening 110 and by a rounded terminal edge 108" .

[0040] In one embodiment , the second plate-like element 30 consists of an element counter-plate 30 suitable for being fixed to a respective end of element 1002 ; 1004 so as to protrude axially from said element end .

[0041] The plate compartment 108 and the element counterplate 30 are configured such that the element counterplate 30 engages the plate compartment 108 by shape coupling .

[0042] Moreover, the element counter-plate 30 is insertable into , and disengageable from, the plate compartment 108 only through the insertion opening 110 .

[0043] Therefore , the fixing kit 1 is based on two complementary elements that make a male- female type coupling in an insertion direction Y perpendicular to the lateral surface 106 of the anchoring plate 10 , that is , perpendicular to the element axis X .

[0044] In one embodiment , the edge 108 ' , 108" of the plate compartment 108 forms an undercut 112 . The edge of the element counter-plate 30 forms a step 302 suitable for making a shape coupling with the undercut 112 .

[0045] Therefore , the undercut 112 restrains the step 302 in the direction parallel to the lateral surface 10 of the anchoring plate 10 .

[0046] In a preferred embodiment , the locking means are suitable for simultaneously engaging the anchoring plate 10 and the element counter-plate 30 , when inserted into the plate compartment 108 , in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the element counter-plate 30 into the plate compartment 108 , so as to prevent the extraction of the element counter-plate 30 from the plate compartment 108 .

[0047] According to one embodiment , a plate hole 114 obtained in the thickness of the anchoring plate 10 , has at least one end 114 ' open on the lateral surface 106 and extending along a hole axis Z perpendicular both to the element axis X and to the insertion direction Y of the element counterplate 30 into the plate compartment 108 . The hole axis Z passes through the plate compartment 108 .

[0048] In other words , the plate hole 114 opens into the plate compartment 108 .

[0049] A counter-plate through-hole 304 is obtained in thethickness of the element counter-plate 30 which, when the element counter-plate 30 engages the plate compartment 108 , is aligned with the plate hole 114 along the hole axis Z .

[0050] In this embodiment , the locking means comprise a key 50 suitable for being inserted, for example with shape coupling and / or calibrated interference , into the plate hole 114 and into the counter-plate through-hole 304 .

[0051] Therefore , when the key 50 is inserted into the two aligned holes , the element counter-plate 30 is prevented from being extracted from the anchoring plate 10 .

[0052] In one embodiment illustrated in f igure 4 , the plate hole 114 has both opposite ends open on the lateral surface 106 of the anchoring plate 106 , so as to allow the key 50 to be inserted in either direction along the hole axis Z , that is , when looking facing the insertion opening 110 frontally, from the right side of the anchoring plate 10 to the left or from the left side of the anchoring plate 10 to the right .

[0053] In this embodiment , each open end of the plate hole 114 is closed by a detachable wall 116 , such that only the detachable wall 116 at the key 50 insertion side is removed, while the detachable wall 116 on the opposite side is retained to prevent external agents from entering into the plate hole 114 .

[0054] In one embodiment , the longitudinal element 100 is a profile provided with a tubular metal core 1006 open at the ends 100a, 100b of the tubular element 100 .

[0055] In this case , in one embodiment , the fixing kit 1 comprises , for each of the ends of the longitudinal element 100 , a connection block 40 insertable by pressure and / or calibrated interference into a respective terminal portion of the metal core 1006 .

[0056] The element counter-plate 30 is suitable for being fixed, for example by means of screws 308 , 308 ' , to the connection block 40 . Two screws 308 , 308 ' make it possible to prevent possible angular displacements between counterplate 30 and connection block 40 .

[0057] In one embodiment , the connection block 40 forms a block base 402 which, when the connection block 40 is inserted into the metal core 1006 , is substantially flush with the respective end of the longitudinal element 100 .

[0058] The element counter-plate 30 , when fixed to the connection block 40 , has a block contact surface 310 which overlaps the block base 42 . In other words , the block contact surface 310 is in face-to- face contact with the block base 42 .

[0059] Therefore , when the element counter-plate 30 is fixed to the connection block 40 , these two elements of the fixing kit are attached to form a single body . For example ,the connection block 40 may be inserted into the metal core 1006 already coupled to the element counter-plate 30 .

[0060] According to one embodiment , when the element counter-plate 30 is inserted into the plate compartment 108 , the anchoring plate 10 and the element counter-plate 30 j ointly form a plate-like body 60 the periphery of which delimits a first flat surface 602 suitable for coming into contact with a respective flat support 1002 ; 1004 and a second flat surface 604 , opposite the first , suitable for coming into contact with the respective end 100a ; 100b of the longitudinal element 100 .

[0061] This plate-like body 60 may therefore be a substantially regular body, that is , free of discontinuities , which constitutes a continuation of the longitudinal element .

[0062] In particular, the perimeter of the plate-like body 60 may exactly correspond to the cross-section of the longitudinal element 100 .

[0063] The installation of a longitudinal element 100 between a first f lat support 1002 and a second flat support 1004 by means of the fixing kit 1 described above provides for anchoring to each of the flat supports , for example by means of a pair of anchoring screws 120 , a first platelike element 10 ( for example the anchoring plate 10 ) .

[0064] To each of the ends of the longitudinal element 100a,100b, the second plate-like element is fixed ( for example the element counter-plate 30 ) .

[0065] At this point , the longitudinal element 100 is translated along the insertion direction Y perpendicular to the main axis X of the longitudinal element , so that the second plate-like elements 30 are coupled to the respective first plate-like elements 10 .

[0066] In one embodiment , a safety locking of the second plate-like elements 30 to the respective first plate-like elements 10 in the insertion direction Y i s carried out .

[0067] In particular, the safety locking is carried out by fully inserting the key 50 into the respective plate hole 114 and counter-plate through-hole 310 .

[0068] In one embodiment , the fixing of the second platelike element 30 to the longitudinal element 100 is carried out by connecting, for example by means of screws , each second plate-like element 30 to a respective connection block 40 and inserting each connection block 40 by pressure and / or calibrated interference into a respective terminal portion of the tubular metal core 1006 .

[0069] Alternatively, it is also possible to insert each connection block 40 by pressure and / or cal ibrated interference into a respective terminal portion of the tubular metal core 1006 and subsequently fix each second plate-like element 30 to the respective connection block40 .

[0070] As stated above , in one embodiment of the installation method, the fixing kit 1 is selected so that , when the two plate-like elements 10 , 30 are coupled to one another, they j ointly form a plate-like body 60 having the same planar shape as the planar shape of the longitudinal element 100 , so that each plate-like body 60 is an axial extension of the longitudinal element 100 .

[0071] It is evident from the above description that the proposed fixing kit and installation method achieve the intended purpose .

[0072] In particular, the fixing kit , when installed, is almost indistinguishable from the longitudinal element itsel f . This is made possible by the technical solution that allows the longitudinal element to be inserted between the two flat supports by means o f a translation along an insertion direction orthogonal to the main axis of the longitudinal element .

[0073] Indeed, in this way, the thickness of the anchoring elements to the flat support can be reduced to a minimum and the shape of such anchoring elements can be chosen to match the planar shape of the longitudinal element .

[0074] The plate-like anchoring elements , while performing ef fectively their function of fixing the longitudinal element to the flat support with high safety standards ,are easily and quickly connectable both to the flat support and to the longitudinal element and, once installed, can likewise be easi ly and quickly coupled to and uncoupled from one another, thanks to a single linear engagement / disengagement movement .

[0075] Thanks to the locking means , the plate-like elements are further mutually secured, preventing any ri sk of extraction, for example due to vibrations or impacts .

[0076] Moreover, the fixing kit is economical to produce and handle .

[0077] To the embodiments of the fixing kit and to the installation method according to the invention, a person skilled in the art , in order to meet contingent needs , may make modi fications , adaptations and substitutions of elements with others functionally equivalent , without departing from the scope of the following claims . Each of the features described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be implemented independently of the other embodiments described .

Claims

CLAIMS1. A fixing kit for installing longitudinal elements, in particular for forming sun shading screens, partition structures, panels or similar architectural elements, wherein each longitudinal element extends between two element ends along an element axis, comprising, for each element end, a pair of plate-like elements (10, 30) , a first plate-like element (30) suitable for being fixed to a flat support (1002; 1004) , suitable for engaging a respective end of the longitudinal element (100) , a second plate-like element (30) suitable for being fixed to a respective end of the longitudinal element (100) , wherein said plate-like elements are configured to form a mutual, male-female type coupling which, in use, is actuated in an insertion direction (Y) perpendicular to the element axis (X) .

2. Kit according to claim 1, further comprising locking means suitable for simultaneously engaging the two platelike elements when they are coupled to one another so as to prevent an undesired extraction of the second platelike element from the first plate-like element.

3. Kit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first plate-like element (10) is of female type and the second plate-like element (30) is of male type.

4. Kit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first plate-like element (10) consists of an anchoringplate (10) delimited by two opposite main surfaces (102,104) and a lateral surface (106) , wherein a plate compartment (108) obtained in the anchoring plate (10) , is open on said lateral surface (106) so as to form an insertion opening (110) in said side surface.

5. Kit according to claim 4, wherein the second platelike element (30) consists of an element counter-plate (30) suitable for being fixed to the respective element end so as to protrude axially from said element end, wherein the plate compartment (108) and the element counter-plate (30) are configured so that the element counter-plate (30) engages the plate compartment (108) by shape coupling and is insertable into, and disengageable from, the plate compartment only through said insertion opening (110) .

6. Kit according to claim 5, wherein the edge of the plate compartment (108) forms an undercut (112) , and wherein the edge of the element counter-plate (30) forms a step (302) suitable for making a shape coupling with said undercut (112) .

7. Kit according to any one of claims 4-6 when dependent on claim 2, wherein:- a plate hole (114) is obtained in the anchoring plate (10) , which is open at least at one end thereof in the lateral surface (106) of the anchoring plate (10) and extends along a hole axis (Z) perpendicular to both theelement axis (X) and the insertion direction (Y) , wherein said hole axis (Z) intersects the plate compartment (108) ;- a counter-plate through-hole (304) is obtained in the element counter-plate (30) , which is aligned with the plate hole (114) along the hole axis (Z) when the element counter-plate engages the plate compartment;- the locking means comprise a key (50) suitable for being inserted with shape coupling into the plate hole (114) and into the counter-plate through-hole (304) .

8. Kit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the longitudinal element (100) is a profile provided with a tubular metal core (1006) open at the ends of the tubular element, wherein the kit comprises, for each of the ends of the longitudinal element, a connection block (40) insertable by pressure and / or calibrated interference into a respective end portion of the metal core, and wherein the second plate-like element (30) is suitable for being fixed to the connection block (40) .

9. Kit according to the preceding claim, wherein the connection block (40) forms a block base (402) which is substantially flush with the end of the longitudinal element when the connection block is inserted into the metal core (1006) , and wherein the second plate-like element (30) has a block contact surface (310) facing and in contact with the block base (402) when fixed to the connection block (40) .

10. Kit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first (10) and second (30) plate-like elements, when coupled to one another, jointly form a plate-like body (60) , the periphery of which delimits a first flat surface (602) suitable for coming into contact with the respective flat support (1002; 1004) and a second flat surface (604) suitable for coming into contact with the respective end (100; 100b) of the longitudinal element (100) .

11. An installation method for installing a longitudinal element (100) between a first flat support (1002) and a second flat support (1004) , comprising the steps of: a) providing a fixing kit according to any one of the preceding claims for each of the two ends (100a; 100b) of the longitudinal element; b) anchoring a first plate-like element (10) to each of the flat supports; c) fixing the second plate-like element (30) to each of the longitudinal element ends; d) translating the longitudinal element (100) provided with the second plate-like elements (30) along an insertion direction (Y) perpendicular to the main axis (X) of longitudinal element, so that the second plate-like elements (30) are coupled to the respective first platelike elements (10) .

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein after step d)there is included a step e) of safely locking the second plate-like elements to the respective first plate-like elements in the insertion direction (Y) .

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the fixing kit is according to any one of claims 7-10, and wherein step e) of safely locking is carried out by inserting the key (50) fully into the respective plate hole (114) and counter-plate through-hole (304) .

14. Method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the fixing kit is according to any one of claims 8 to 10, and wherein step c) comprises the substeps of: cl) fixing each second plate-like element to a respective connection block (40) ; c2) inserting each connection block into a respective end portion of tubular metal core (1006) by pressure and / or calibrated interference; or cl' ) inserting each connection block (40) into a respective end portion of tubular metal core (1006) by pressure and / or calibrated interference; c2' ) fixing each second plate-like element (30) to a respective connection block (40) .

15. Method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the fixing kit is chosen so that, when the two plate-like elements are coupled to one another jointly form a plate-like body (60) having the same planar shapeas the planar shape of the longitudinal element (100) , so that each plate-like body (60) is an axial extension of the longitudinal element (100) .

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