Interlocking system for making partitions, and partition comprising said interlocking system

Abstract

Interlocking system (10) for making partitions, scaffolding or shelving units, comprising a tubular upright (20) and a tubular crosspiece (30) with polygonal cross section. Said upright (20) is provided with a female element (41) defined on a first side (21) and comprises a slit (42), said crosspiece (30) is provided with a male element (43) defined in such a way that it projects from a first end (31). Said male element (43) comprises a hook element (44) that is coplanar with a face (36) of the crosspiece (30) and configured to fit into a section (45) of the slit (42). Said section (45) is essentially parallel to the axis (X1) of extension of the upright (20) and is positioned at a distance (D1) from a second side (22) of the upright (20). The width (L1) of the crosspiece (30) is essentially equal to said distance (D1).

Description

[0001] INTERLOCKING SYSTEM FOR MAKING PARTITIONS, AND PARTITION COMPRISING SAID INTERLOCKING SYSTEM.

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The invention concerns an interlocking system for the construction of partitions that can serve the function of an equipped wall, piece of furniture, suspended wall, mezzanine floor, shelving, frame in general, bearing structure.

[0004] The invention also concerns a partition comprising said interlocking system. In the context of this description, the expression “interlocking system” means any technological solution involving vertical uprights connected to horizontal crosspieces.

[0005] The interlocking system that is the subject of the invention is perfected for the construction of lightweight partitions intended to separate and regulate communication between the interior spaces of a building system.

[0006] Structures comprising vertical uprights and horizontal crosspieces which are suitable for the construction of partitions, scaffolding or shelving units are presently known.

[0007] A first known type of structures suitable for the construction of walls, scaffolding or shelving units is made up of uprights and crosspieces that are welded together.

[0008] This system has some drawbacks, in particular the presence of welds, which does not allow the structure to be subsequently disassembled.

[0009] In addition, the presence of welds involves additional costs due to the work required to make said welds.

[0010] In addition, for applications related to the construction of partitions, it is necessary to prepare a given number of wall modules comprising two uprights welded to one or more crosspieces at the production site, to send said modules to the place where said partition must be installed, and finally to assemble said modules to form the partition.

[0011] To disadvantage, with such a configuration, once the modules have been placed in sequence, they are side by side and adjacent to each other, which results in inefficient use of the material. In particular, this results in structural redundancy since two uprights are placed side by side in the junction area between two modules, making it unnecessary to use resources in that area. This approach does not optimize the use of the components, thus increasing the overall use of materials as well as production and installation costs. Furthermore, the need to ship the wall modules already pre-assembled makes them particularly cumbersome, increasing logistics costs and complicating the handling of the modules until they reach the installation site.

[0012] A second known type of structures for the construction of walls, scaffolding or shelving units is made up of uprights and crosspieces that are connected to each other by means of an interlocking system.

[0013] In particular, said uprights and crosspieces comprise a connection system defined by female elements present on the sides of the uprights and male elements present at the ends of said crosspieces.

[0014] However, said second type of structures has further drawbacks, especially when such a structure is used for the construction of walls.

[0015] In particular, said type of known structures is not suitable for the construction of walls as the faces of the uprights and crosspieces intended to come into contact with the wall panels are arranged on different planes, making the subsequent application of said panels difficult.

[0016] It is the task of the present invention to develop an interlocking system for the construction of partitions that can serve the function of an equipped wall, piece of furniture, suspended wall, mezzanine floor, shelving, frame in general, bearing structure and is capable of overcoming the above-mentioned drawbacks and limitations of the known art.

[0017] In particular, it is the object of the present invention to provide an interlocking system that can be easily assembled and disassembled with respect to structures known in the art.

[0018] Furthermore, it is the object of the invention to provide an interlocking system whose components can be made in such a way that they are compact and easy to ship.

[0019] Again, it is an object of the invention to develop an interlocking system in which the raw materials and the production and logistical processes are used efficiently compared to the known structures.

[0020] It is a further object of the invention to provide an interlocking system in which the faces of uprights and crosspieces are arranged on the same plane.

[0021] The task and the objects mentioned above are fulfilled by an interlocking system according to claim 1.

[0022] Further characteristics of the interlocking system according to claim 1 are described in the dependent claims. The task and the objects mentioned above, together with the advantages that will be mentioned below, are highlighted in the description of an embodiment of the invention, which is provided by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

[0023] - Figure 1 shows a front view of an interlocking system according to the invention;

[0024] - Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an interlocking system according to the invention;

[0025] - Figure 3 shows a detailed perspective view of the connection means of the invention;

[0026] - Figure 4 shows a different perspective view of Figure 3;

[0027] - Figure 5 shows a front view of a detail of the upright of the interlocking system according to the invention;

[0028] - Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a crosspiece of the structure that is the subject of the invention;

[0029] - Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a detail of the crosspiece of the interlocking system according to the invention;

[0030] - Figure 8 shows a different perspective view of Figure 7;

[0031] - Figure 9 also shows a detailed perspective view of the connection means of the invention, in which the crosspiece and the upright are associated with each other;

[0032] - Figure 9a shows a different perspective view of Figure 9;

[0033] - Figure 9b shows a further, detailed perspective view of the connection means of the invention, in which the crosspiece and the upright are associated with each other in the presence of an additional connection element;

[0034] - Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a further detail of the interlocking system that is the subject of the invention;

[0035] - Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a component visible in the detail shown in Figure 10;

[0036] - Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a partition according to the invention; - Figure 13 shows a different perspective view of Figure 12;

[0037] - Figure 14 shows a detail of the partition shown in Figures 12 and 13;

[0038] - Figure 15 shows a perspective view of a detail of a possible embodiment of the crosspiece of the invention;

[0039] - Figure 16 shows a front view of a possible detail of the interlocking system that is the subject of the invention;

[0040] - Figure 17 shows a perspective exploded view of the detail shown in Figure 16.

[0041] With reference to the above-mentioned figures, an interlocking system according to the invention is indicated as a whole by the number 10.

[0042] Said interlocking system 10 comprises:

[0043] - at least one tubular upright 20 having a substantially polygonal, preferably quadrangular, cross section and configured to be arranged vertically, wherein said upright 20 defines a first axis X1 with longitudinal extension;

[0044] - at least one tubular crosspiece 30 having a substantially polygonal, preferably quadrangular, cross section and configured to be fixed together with the upright 20 in a substantially horizontal position.

[0045] The above-mentioned upright 20 and crosspiece 30 comprise connection means 40 configured to obtain the fixed connection described above.

[0046] Said connection means 40, which are clearly visible in detail in Figures from 3 to 9, comprise:

[0047] - a female element 41, clearly visible in Figures 3, 4 and 5, defined on a first side 21 of the upright 20 and comprising a slit 42;

[0048] - a male element 43, visible in Figures 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8, defined on a first end 31 of the crosspiece 30.

[0049] As can be seen in Figures 7 and 8, said male element 43 projects from the end face 32 of the first end 31 of the crosspiece 30.

[0050] Said male element 43 comprises a hook element 44, visible in Figures 3, 7 and 8, which is coplanar with a first lateral face 36 of the crosspiece 30 and is configured to be inserted into a first section 45 of the slit 42, visible in Figures 3 and 5, to obtain said fixed connection.

[0051] Said first section 45 is defined so that it is essentially parallel to the first axis X1 and at a distance D1 from a second side 22 of the upright 20 adjacent to the first side 21.

[0052] It should be noted that “essentially parallel” means perfectly parallel or slightly inclined by just a few angular degrees.

[0053] As can be seen in Figure 7, the width L1 of the crosspiece 30 is defined between the first lateral face 36 and a second lateral face 37 opposite said first lateral face 36. Said width L1 is essentially equal to the first distance D1.

[0054] Advantageously, the interlocking system described herein can be easily assembled and disassembled compared to the structures known in the art, thus reducing the costs of processes, logistics and raw materials.

[0055] It should be underlined that the interlocking system of the invention can be easily assembled and disassembled with no need to use spanners or tools.

[0056] Furthermore, the fact that the interlocking system of the invention can be easily assembled and disassembled makes it easy to ship the disassembled components of said system, thus allowing a more compact load to be obtained and facilitating shipment.

[0057] Still advantageously, in the interlocking system described herein the faces of the uprights and crosspieces are arranged on the same plane.

[0058] In particular, according to the invention, when the crosspiece 30 and the upright 20 are associated with each other, the second side 22 of the upright 20 and the second lateral face 37 of the crosspiece 30 are essentially arranged on the same plane.

[0059] This configuration is particularly suitable for the construction of walls as the above-mentioned second lateral face 37 and second side 22 come into contact with the panels of the wall, simplifying the subsequent application of said panels. Proceeding with the description of the interlocking system 10 that is the subject of the invention, it is possible to observe, in particular in Figures 7 and 8, that the hook element 44 defines a coupling tooth 44a and a recess 44b between the end face 32 and said coupling tooth 44a, so that, when said hook element 44 is associated with the upright 20, a section of the side of the upright 20 is inserted within said recess 44b and the coupling tooth 44a counteracts the horizontal translation of the crosspiece 30.

[0060] In addition, the slit 42, which is clearly visible in Figure 5, comprises a second section 46 that lies crosswise with respect to the first section 45 and is defined, with respect to said first section 45, facing towards the second side 22.

[0061] In addition to the above, the male element 43 comprises a support portion 47, visible in Figures 7 and 8, which is coplanar with a third lateral face 38 adjacent to the first lateral face 36.

[0062] Said support portion 47 is configured to be inserted into the second section 46 in such a way that, when said hook element 44 is associated with the upright 20, the lower surface 47a and the lateral surface 47b of said support portion 47, which are visible in Figure 8, abut the lower edge 46a and the side edge 46b of the second section 46, which are visible in Figure 5. This configuration allows for a stable fixed connection between the crosspiece 30 and the upright 20.

[0063] In particular, the support portion 47 counteracts the torsion of the crosspiece 30. Preferably, the upright 20 has an essentially square cross section and the crosspiece 30 has an essentially rectangular cross section.

[0064] As can be seen in Figures 7 and 8, said hook element 44 projects from a first side 33, preferably long, of the rectangular cross section and the support portion 47 projects from a second side 34, preferably short, of the rectangular cross section, adjacent to said first side.

[0065] Preferably, said second side 34 is arranged above the first side 33 when the crosspiece and the upright are associated with each other.

[0066] According to the invention, the first section and the second section 45, 46 are essentially orthogonal to each other.

[0067] Moreover, said first section and said second section 45, 46 are adjacent to each other.

[0068] Said configuration is particularly advantageous when making the slit 42.

[0069] In particular, said configuration makes it possible to obtain the slit 42 through a single material removal operation, for example a single laser cutting operation. As can be seen in Figure 5, the slit 42 comprises a connecting portion 42a between the first section and the second section 45, 46.

[0070] Said connecting portion consists of a chamfer designed to avoid any possible interference between the slit 42 and the male element 43 during assembly. Observing, again, Figure 5, it can be seen that the height H1 of the first section 45 is greater than or equal to the length L2 of the hook element 44.

[0071] In addition, the width L3 of the second section 46 is greater than or equal to the extension E1 of the support portion 47.

[0072] Furthermore, the height H2 of said second section 46 is greater than or equal to the length L4 of the coupling tooth 44a.

[0073] It is also possible to notice that the bottom 45a of the first section 45 is spaced from the lower edge 46a of the second section 46 by a second distance D2 that is essentially equal to a third distance D3 defined from the apex 44c of the recess 44b to the lower surface 47a of the support portion 47.

[0074] The geometrical configuration described makes it possible to achieve a perfect fit between the crosspiece and the upright, preventing any horizontal translation of the crosspiece and the rotation of said crosspiece on itself. In the configuration described so far, the only allowed movement of the crosspiece, once it has been associated with the upright, is vertical translation. Preferably, this degree of freedom is prevented by a mechanical element 49a, visible in Figure 9b.

[0075] In fact, according to the invention, the female element 41 comprises a hole 49 substantially located above the slit 42 and suited to accommodate said mechanical element 49a configured to prevent the vertical translation of the crosspiece 30 when associated with the upright 20.

[0076] For example, said mechanical element 49a is a V-shaped bent plate, or a Belleville washer, a cam, or in general an element designed to prevent the relative displacement of the crosspiece 30 with respect to the upright 20. Proceeding with the description of the invention, it is possible to observe that, in a possible embodiment of the invention visible in Figure 15, the male element 43 comprises an additional overhang 48 that is coplanar with the second side 37 and / or a fourth side 39 opposite the third side 38.

[0077] The female element 41 comprises an opening 48a suited to accommodate the additional overhang 48.

[0078] This configuration provides additional overall stability and rigidity to the structure.

[0079] It should be pointed out that the female element 41 and the male element 43 are formed on the upright 20 and the crosspiece 30 through a single machining process carried out on the material.

[0080] In particular, the geometric shapes of the female element and the male element have been designed in such a way that only one material removal operation is required, in fact no further machining, such as bending or welding, is necessary. In this way, the labour costs for the production of the structure of the invention can be reduced.

[0081] As shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, 9 and 9a, the connection means 40 comprise: - a plurality of female elements 41 defined on said first side 21 ;

[0082] - a plurality of female elements 41 defined on the second side 22 and symmetrical to the female elements 41 defined on the first side 21 with respect to the diagonal plane between said first and second sides 21, 22; - a plurality of female elements 41 defined on a third side 23 opposite the first side 21 and symmetrical to the female elements defined on the first side 21; - a plurality of female elements 41 defined on a fourth side 24 opposite the second side 22 and symmetrical to the female elements defined on the second side 22 with respect to the first axis X1.

[0083] As shown in Figure 6, the connection means 40 also comprise an additional male element 43a symmetrical to the male element 43 and defined on a second end 35 of the crosspiece 30.

[0084] Furthermore, preferably, the interlocking system 10 that is the subject of the invention comprises at least two of said uprights 20 and a plurality of crosspieces 30

[0085] This configuration makes it possible to obtain a modular structure of variable length, suitable for any need.

[0086] Furthermore, the configuration described makes it possible to obtain a linear or angled structure while maintaining the coplanarity of the exposed faces of the structure.

[0087] It should be noted that this configuration makes it possible to reduce to a minimum the variants of the elements needed to carry out the different embodiments of the invention.

[0088] In particular, this configuration is particularly advantageous in structures for partitions with possible comers, as the sides or faces of the uprights and crosspieces that come into contact with the wall panels will always be arranged on the same plane.

[0089] It should be noted that coplanarity is maintained for both 90° and 270° angles, as shown in Figure 2.

[0090] A further aspect of the invention lies in that the interlocking system 10 may comprise two uprights 20 arranged one above the other and connected by means of a connecting element 70, visible in Figures 10 and 11.

[0091] Said connecting element 70 comprises two projections 71 essentially in the shape of the hook element 44 and designed to fit into the slits 42 of the two uprights 20.

[0092] In addition, the interlocking system 10 may comprise two uprights 20 arranged one above the other and connected by means of a plug-in system 72, visible in Figures 16 and 17.

[0093] In particular, said interlocking system 10 comprises a joining element 73 suited to be inserted into the ends of the two uprights 20 and connected to said ends through known fixing means 74, for example screws or bolts.

[0094] It should be noted that the interlocking system 10 may possibly comprise even more than two uprights arranged one above the other.

[0095] As mentioned above, the invention also concerns a partition 100, visible in Figures 12 and 13, comprising an interlocking system 10 as described above. In addition, the partition 100 comprises at least one panel 101 connected to the interlocking system 10 by means of coupling elements 102 and a plurality of levelling feet 104 connected to the lower ends of the uprights 20.

[0096] Additionally, the partition 100 comprises brackets 105 configured to allow said partition 100 to be attached to the wall.

[0097] It is not excluded that said brackets 105 could be attached to the ceiling, or to the floor, or to other structures.

[0098] A further aspect of the invention lies in that an upright may have a polygonal cross section with a number of sides other than four. This configuration makes it possible to obtain partitions with angles greater or smaller than 90 degrees. In practice, it has been shown that the invention fulfils its task and achieves the set objects.

[0099] In particular, the invention provides an interlocking system that can be easily assembled and disassembled compared to the structures known in the art. Furthermore, the invention provides an interlocking system whose components can be made compact and easy to ship.

[0100] In addition to the above, an interlocking system has been developed in which the source material is used efficiently compared to the known structures.

[0101] Moreover, the interlocking system that has been developed allows for more efficient production and logistics processes than the structures known in the art. Finally, in the interlocking system that has been developed the faces of the uprights and crosspieces are arranged on the same plane.

Claims

CLAIMS1) Interlocking system (10) for making partitions, scaffolding or shelving units, comprising:- at least one tubular upright (20) having a substantially polygonal, preferably quadrangular, cross section and configured to be arranged vertically, wherein said upright (20) defines a first axis (X1) with longitudinal extension;- at least one tubular crosspiece (30) having a substantially polygonal, preferably quadrangular, cross section and configured to be fixed together with said upright (20) in a substantially horizontal position;said upright (20) and said crosspiece (30) comprising connection means (40) configured to achieve said fixed connection, said connection means (40) comprising:- a female element (41) defined on a first side (21) of said upright (20) and comprising a slit (42);- a male element (43) defined on a first end (31 ) of said crosspiece (30);characterized in that said male element (43) projects from the end face (32) of said first end (31 ) of said crosspiece (30) and comprises a hook element (44) that is coplanar with a first lateral face (36) of said crosspiece (30) and configured to be inserted into a first section (45) of said slit (42) to obtain said fixed connection, said first section (45) being defined in such a way that it is essentially parallel to said first axis (X1) and spaced from a second side (22) of said upright (20) adjacent to said first side (21) by a first distance (D1), the width (L1) of said crosspiece (30) between said first lateral face (36) and a second lateral face (37) opposite said first lateral face (36) being essentially equal to said first distance (D1 ).2) Interlocking system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said hook element (44) defines:- a coupling tooth (44a);- a recess (44b) between said end face (32) and said coupling tooth (44a); in such a manner that, when said hook element (44) is associated with said upright (20), a section of the side of said upright (20) is inserted into said recess (44b) and said coupling tooth (44a) counteracts the horizontal translation of said crosspiece (30).3) Interlocking system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said slit (42) comprises a second section (46) that lies crosswise with respectto said first section (45) and is defined, with respect to said first section (45), facing towards said second side (22), said male element (43) comprising a support portion (47) that is coplanar with a third lateral face (38) adjacent to said first lateral face (36), said support portion (47) being configured to be inserted into said second section (46) in such a way that, when said hook element (44) is associated with said upright (20), the lower surface (47a) and the lateral surface (47b) of said support portion (47) abut the lower edge (46a) and the side edge (46b) of said second section (46).4) Interlocking system (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that said upright (20) has a substantially square cross section and said crosspiece (30) has a substantially rectangular cross section, said hook element (44) projecting from a first side (33) of said rectangular cross section and said support portion (47) projecting from a second side (34), adjacent to said first side (33), of said rectangular cross section.5) Interlocking system (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said first section and said second section (45, 46) are essentially orthogonal to each other.(6) Interlocking system (10) according to any of the claims from 3 to 5, characterized in that said first section and said second section (45, 46) are adjacent to each other, said slit (42) comprising a connecting portion (42a) between said first section and said second section (45, 46).7) Interlocking system (10) according to any of the claims from 3 to 6 in combination with claim 2, characterized in that the height (H1) of said first section (45) is greater than or equal to the length (L2) of said hook element (44), the width (L3) of said second section (46) being greater than or equal to the extension (E1 ) of said support portion (47) and its height (H2) being greater than or equal to the length (L4) of said coupling tooth (44a).8) Interlocking system (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the bottom (45a) of said first section (45) is spaced from the lower edge (46a) of said second section (46) by a second distance (D2) that is essentially equal to a third distance (D3) defined from the apex (44c) of said recess (44b) to the contact surface (47a) of said support portion (47).9) Interlocking system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said male element (43) comprises a further overhang (48) that is coplanar with said second side (37) and / or with a fourth side (39) oppositesaid third side (38), said female element (41 ) comprising an opening (48a) suited to accommodate said further overhang (48).10) Interlocking system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said female element (41) comprises a hole (49) located substantially above said slit (42) and suited to accommodate a mechanical element (49a) configured to prevent the vertical translation of said crosspiece (30) when associated with said upright (20).11) Interlocking system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said female element (41) and said male element (43) are formed on said upright (20) and said crosspiece (30) by means of a single material removal operation.12) Interlocking system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said connection means (40) comprise:- a plurality of female elements (41 ) defined on said first side (21 );- a plurality of female elements (41) defined on said second side (22) and symmetrical to the female elements (41) defined on said first side (21) with respect to the diagonal plane between said first side and said second side (21, 22);- a plurality of female elements (41) defined on a third side (23) opposite said first side (21) and symmetrical with respect to said female elements defined on said first side (21);- a plurality of female elements (41) defined on a fourth side (24) opposite said second side (22) and symmetrical to said female elements defined on said second side (22) with respect to said first axis (X1 );- a further male element (43a) symmetrical to said male element (43) and defined on a second end (35) of said crosspiece (30).13) Interlocking system (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises at least two of said uprights (20) and a plurality of said crosspieces (30).14) Internal partition (100), characterized in that it comprises:- an interlocking system (10) according to claim 13;- at least one panel (101 ) connected to said interlocking system (10) by means of hooks (102);- said hooks (102);- a plurality of levelling feet (104) connected to the lower ends of said uprights (20).

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