CLIP SYSTEM FOR FORMING A CONSTRUCTION SURFACE

Description

The present description relates generally to construction surface products, for example, construction panels and connectors adapted to form a construction surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE DESCRIPTION

Construction panels, such as gypsum plasterboard, commonly known as drywall, are often used to construct construction surfaces. The construction surface can be a wall or a ceiling. Construction panels are attached to a support structure, such as the wood or metal studs of a wall or ceiling frame. Once the construction panels are attached to the support structure, the construction surface can be finished with a joint compound or other material to create a smooth surface. The construction surface can then be painted or wallpapered.

Construction panels are attached to the supporting structure using screws, nails or other suitable fasteners.

When construction panels are also used to construct a ceiling, the support structure is usually a metal frame comprising metal frame elements. Metal hangers are used and attached to the solid ceiling of the building. Metal frame elements are connected to these metal hangers so that several metal frame elements 2 are parallel to one another and thus form a series of frame elements. Additional frame elements can be connected perpendicularly to the frame elements to form a frame grid. The construction panels are attached to the frame grid.

One problem with these systems in the prior art is that removal of the construction panels is not easy, since the fasteners generally cannot be removed, so that the construction panel has to be broken in order to be removed. This means that neither the construction panel nor the fasteners can be reused. Removing construction panels can also damage the frame. It is becoming increasingly important to reduce waste and create reusable products. There is therefore a need for construction surfaces that can be dismantled to reduce waste.

In addition, attaching construction panels to the frame can be time-consuming and physically demanding, particularly when attaching construction panels to ceilings, where the construction panel must be supported vertically during attachment. Attachment in the frame elements can damage and weaken the frame. In addition, attachment through plasterboard leaves the end of the fastener (e.g. the screw head) visible after installation. As a result, finishing compounds usually must be applied to cover it and produce a smooth monolithic surface. There is therefore also a need for construction surface systems that are faster and easier to install.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device, a system and an installation method which remedy the aforementioned disadvantages.

To this end, the present invention relates to an attachment device for attaching a construction panel to a frame element, said attachment device comprising a first attachment means and a second attachment means, the first attachment means being used to attach the device to the frame element, the second attachment means being used to attach the device to the construction panel, wherein the second attachment means comprises a first connector element configured to engage with a corresponding second connector element located on the construction panel.

According to one example, said first connector element is a plug and the second connector element is a receptacle so that the plug and receptacle form a male-female connector, the first attachment means comprising at least one hook.

According to one example, said first connector element is a receptacle and the second connector element is a plug so that the plug and receptacle form a male-female connector, the first attachment means comprising at least one hook.

According to one example, said attachment device comprises a main plate element from which first attachment means and the second attachment means extend.

According to one example, the second attachment means comprise at least one secondary plate element from which the first connector element extends.

According to one example, the first attachment means comprise at least one arm from which at least one hook extends.

According to one example of the invention, the second attachment means comprises at least one projection which projects from the main plate.

According to one example, said at least one secondary plate element extends from the main plate element perpendicularly or at an angle, said secondary plate element being straight or curved or at a right angle.

According to one example, said at least one arm extends from the main plate element perpendicularly, said arm being straight or curved.

According to one example, the second attachment means comprise two secondary plate elements, said secondary plate elements being symmetrical.

According to one example, the first attachment means comprises two arms, each these arms being fitted with a hook, said arms being symmetrical. Alternatively, the first attachment means may comprise an arm equipped with two hooks on either side of the arm.

According to one example, said device is arranged so that the frame element is arranged between the construction panel and the main plate.

The invention also relates to a construction surface system comprising a frame structure, said frame structure comprising at least one frame element, the construction surface system further comprising at least one construction panel attached to said frame structure, wherein said construction surface system further comprises at least one attachment device according to the invention for supporting said construction panel and wherein each construction panel comprises at least one connector element configured to engage with the first connector element of the attachment device.

According to one example, each construction panel is supported by at least two attachment devices.

According to one example, the frame structure comprises at least two frame elements, said frame elements being parallel or perpendicular to one another.

According to one example, the attachment device comprises at least two first connector elements, each of said first connector elements being inserted into a second connector element of a different construction panel.

The invention further relates to a method for mounting a construction surface system according to the invention, said method comprising the following steps:

• • forming the frame structure comprising at least one frame element;
  • providing at least one attachment device and its attachment to the frame element;
  • providing at least one construction panel, said construction panel comprising at least one second connector element
  • activating the attachment device to connect the first connector element of the attachment device to the second connector element of the construction panel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further particular features and advantages of the invention will become clear upon reading the following description, which is indicative and completely non-limiting, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

• • FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of a construction surface system according to the invention;
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of a frame structure of the construction surface system;
  • FIGS. 3 to 5 show an attachment device according to a first embodiment of the invention;
  • FIGS. 6 to 8 show an attachment device according to a second embodiment of the invention;
  • FIGS. 9 to 11 depict the construction surface system in detail.
  • FIGS. 12 to 14 depict a further embodiment of the connector according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 depicts a construction surface system 1 according to the invention. This construction surface system is used vertically to cover a wall or horizontally to form a ceiling, as shown in FIG. 1.

This construction surface system 1 comprises at least one frame element 2 to which at least one construction panel 3 is attached. The construction panel 3 is attached to this frame element 2 by means of an attachment device.

The construction panel 3 used is a gypsum-based construction panel, the panel comprising more gypsum by mass than any other constituent. For example, the construction panel may be plasterboard (also known as drywall) or gypsum fiber board. The construction panel includes a body comprising a front face, a rear face and a thickness between the front face and the rear face.

The frame element 2 can be a C-shaped profile or an element of other suitable shapes, such as an open circle. A C-shaped frame element is defined as a metallic or non-metallic sheet comprising a pair of flanges substantially parallel to one another and connected substantially perpendicularly to their base by a core, the pair of flanges having inwardly directed return edges substantially parallel to the core.

When the frame element 2 has the shape of an open circle, the shape of the frame element 2 may be used as flanges.

This frame structure 1 comprises a plurality of frame elements 2. In this case, the frame elements 2 may extend parallel to one another. However, it is possible to have a first set of frame elements 2 extending parallel to one another and a second set of frame elements 2 extending perpendicular to the first set of frame elements 2 so as to form a network, as shown in FIG. 2.

The construction panel is attached to at least one frame element 2 by means of an attachment device 4. Said attachment device 4 is made of a material selected from the list comprising metal or an alloy thereof, plastic, wood or ceramic. The attachment device 4 comprises attachment means 40. More specifically, the attachment device 4 comprises first attachment means 41 and second attachment means 42. The first attachment means 41 are used to attach the device to the frame element, the second attachment means 42 are used to attach the device to the construction panel 3 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The first attachment means 41 comprise a clip to attach the attachment device 4 to the frame element 2. The clip comprises at least one hook or projection 410 designed to engage with the frame element 2.

The second attachment means 42 uses complementary means to attach the attachment device 4 to the construction panel. To this end, the second attachment means 42 comprises at least one complementary connector 420, such as a male-female connector. This complementary connector 420 comprises a first connector element 421 configured to engage with a corresponding second connector element 422. In particular, second attachment means 42 are provided so that the first connector element is located on the attachment device 4 and so that the second connector element is located on the construction panels. In the case of a male-female connector, the male component, called plug 421, is located on the attachment device 4 and the female component, called receptacle 422, is located on the construction panel. The plug 421 and the receptacle 422 are designed to be clipped together. Alternatively, the plug 421 could be placed on the construction panel as a second connector element and the receptacle 422 could be placed on the attachment device 4 as a first connector element.

In one embodiment of the invention, the plug 421 is a spherical end and the receptacle 422 is a hole equipped with a clipping system. Said hole may be a through hole, which is a hole with two open ends. Alternatively, said hole can be a blind hole, which is a hole with a single open end. When the spherical end is inserted into the hole, the spherical end activates the clipping system to hold said spherical end in said hole or blind hole.

The attachment device 4 further comprises a main plate element 400 whereupon the first attachment means 41 and the second attachment means 42 are placed.

In a first embodiment, the attachment device 4 is intended to be positioned so that the frame element 2 is placed between the construction panel 3 and the attachment device 4. In this first embodiment, the attachment device 4, via the main plate element 400, rests on the frame element 2. In this way, the frame element 2 is interposed between the attachment device 4 and the construction panel.

In said first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the attachment device 4 comprises a main plate element 400 from which the first attachment means 41 extend. Said first attachment means 41 comprises hooks 410 used to engage with the frame element. In particular, the hooks 410 of the first attachment means 41 are designed to engage with the flanges of the frame element 2 to clip the attachment device 4 to the frame element 2.

The second attachment means 42 includes at least one secondary plate element 402. Said secondary plate element 402 extends from the main plate element 400. The secondary plate element 402 extends toward the construction panel. The secondary plate element 402 can be perpendicular to the main plate element 400 or inclined with respect to the main plate element 400.

The secondary plate element 420 has a free end wherein at least one plug 421, the first connector element, of the second attachment means 42 is arranged. Alternatively, a receptacle 422 can be attached to the free end of the secondary plate element 402.

The secondary plate element 402 could be a straight plate or a plate with an inclined or right-angled portion or a curved plate.

In the case of a straight plate, the plug is placed on the free end of this straight plate, and in the case of an inclined or right-angled part, the plug is placed on this inclined or right-angled part as shown in FIG. 5.

In a preferred embodiment, the second attachment means 42 comprises two secondary plate elements 402 extending on either side of the main plate element. In this case, the secondary plate element envelops the frame element 2 supporting the attachment device 4.

These two secondary plate elements 402 could be symmetrical, but it is also possible for the two secondary plate elements 402 to extend non-symmetrically. Indeed, it is possible to have one secondary plate element which is a straight element extending perpendicularly to the main plate element and the other secondary plate element extending from the main plate element at an angle.

It is also possible to have a single secondary plate element 402 designed to present two plugs, these plugs being spaced apart from one another.

In a second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the attachment device 4 is intended to be placed between the construction panel 3 and the frame element 2. In this second embodiment, the attachment device 4, via the main plate element 400′, is retained, supported by the frame element. In this way, the attachment device 4 is interposed between the frame element and the construction panel 3.

In a second embodiment, the attachment device 4 comprises a main plate element 400′ from which the first attachment means extend. Said first attachment means 41 comprises two arms 412, extending in parallel. Preferably, the end of each arm 412 comprises hooks 410, said hooks 410 being configured to engage with the frame element 2. Preferably, the hooks 410 of the first attachment means 41 are designed to engage with the flanges of the frame element 2 to clip the attachment device 4 to the frame element 2. The arms 412 could have a shape adapted to the frame element 2, such as a curved shape as shown in FIG. 7. The arms 412 can be configured to deform so as to be positioned on the frame element 2 and so as to engage the flanges of the frame element 2 and to attach the attachment device to the frame element 2. In examples of the invention comprising hooks 410, the hooks 410 can be configured to deform so as to engage with the flanges of the frame element 2 and to attach the attachment device to the frame element 2.

The main plate element 400′ further comprises at least one plug 421 of the second attachment means 42. This at least one plug extends from the main plate element from the face opposite that from which the arms of the first attachment means 41 extend. Indeed, the position of the attachment device 4 between the construction panel 3 and the frame element requires that the first attachment means 41 and the second attachment means 42 are not on the same edge of the main plate 400′.

If the second attachment means 42 comprise two plugs, these plugs are spaced apart.

In this second embodiment, the main plate could have a length equal to or greater than the width of the frame element. A length of the main plate element greater than the width of the frame element is useful for increasing the stability of the construction panel attachment, as shown in FIG. 8.

In a third embodiment, it is possible to combine the previous embodiments. In this case, the attachment device 4 comprises arms extending from one side of the main plate element, the hook(s) being positioned on said arms. The attachment device 4 further comprises at least one secondary plate element whereupon the first connector element, such as the plug, is placed.

To install a construction panel, the frame structure must first be installed. Said frame structure comprises several frame elements 2. The frame elements 2 could extend parallel to one another. However, it is possible to have a first set of frame elements 2 extending parallel to one another and a second set of frame elements 2 extending perpendicular to the first set of frame elements 2 so as to form a grid.

A method of installing the system according to the invention comprises a first step of attaching the attachment devices 4 to the frame elements 2. To do this, the first attachment means 41 is engaged with the frame element 2. The first attachment means 41 are preferably configured so that the attachment device 4 can slide along the frame element 2 after engagement. Engaging the first attachment means 41 with the frame element 2 preferably involves deforming the first attachment means 41.

A second step of the method for installing the system according to the invention comprises attaching the attachment device 4 to the construction panel 3. This is achieved by activating the second attachment means 42; the second attachment means 42 is activated by engaging the first connector and the second connector of the second attachment means 42. Engaging the first connector with the second connector preferably comprises deforming at least one of the first connector and the second connector. The number of attachment devices 4 placed on the frame elements 2 and the number of corresponding second connectors on the construction panels 3 depend on the size, type and weight of the construction panels 3 and the requirements of the system being built. These construction panels 3, used as wall or ceiling, could have various dimensions. If the construction panel 3 is small and lightweight, a single attachment device 4 can be used. If the construction panel 3 is large or heavy, at least two attachment devices 4 can be used, as shown in FIG. 9.

Several configurations are possible. These configurations depend on the size and weight of the construction panel 3 or frame structure 2.

With regard to the size of the construction panels 3, if the construction panel is long and narrow, the attachment devices 4 and the corresponding second connectors can be positioned so as to be in the middle of the width and distributed along the length of the construction panel 3. If the construction panel 3 is wide, it is possible to have at least two attachment devices 4 and corresponding second connectors distributed over the width of the construction panel 3. Depending on the length of the construction panels 3, attachment devices 4 and corresponding second connectors could also be distributed along the length.

Configurations could also take into account the frame structure. Indeed, if the frame structure comprises only frame elements 2 running parallel to one another, the attachment devices 4 and the corresponding second connectors are aligned in the lengthwise direction of the construction panel 3 and/or in the widthwise direction of the construction panel 3.

However, if the frame structure comprises a first set of frame elements 2 extending parallel to one another and a second set of frame elements 2 extending perpendicular to the first set of frame elements 2 so as to form a grid, the positioning of the attachment devices 4 and the corresponding second connectors is more complex. In this case, the attachment device 4 and the corresponding second connectors are positioned according to the frame elements 2 of the first set and according to the frame element 2 of the second set as shown in FIG. 10.

In the case where the attachment device 4 according to the first embodiment has a single secondary plate element 402 or where the secondary plate elements 402 are not symmetrical, two adjacent attachment devices 4 could be placed on the frame element 2 to compensate for each other. To do this, the two adjacent attachment devices 4 are positioned in opposite directions.

In another variant, the attachment device 4 is also used to attach two adjacent construction panels 3 together. Indeed, in this variant, the attachment device 4 comprises two first connector elements and each of the two adjacent panels comprises a second connector element. These second connector elements are provided so that, when these construction panels 3 are installed, one first connector element is inserted into the second connector element of one construction panel 3 and the other first connector element is inserted into the second connector element of another construction panel 3 as shown in FIG. 11.

The advantage of this invention is that the construction panel can be removed from the frame structure.

In another embodiment, the main plate element 400 could also be used to facilitate connector handling. Indeed, the main plate element 400 could comprise gripping means or could be designed so that the user can manipulate the connector so as to connect said connector to the frame element and slide it along the frame element.

In a first solution, the main plate element 400 is designed to include a curved part and a rectangular part. This part is used to grip the connector. This part could also be used to deform the connector to facilitate attachment of the connector to the rail element.

In a second solution, the connector is designed so that the first attachment means 41 extend from the secondary plate element 402. In this case, the main plate 400 could be a U-shaped portion from which the secondary plates 402 extend, each secondary plate 402 being L-shaped as shown in FIG. 14.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the example shown, but can be subject to various variants and modifications which will become apparent to the person skilled in the art.

In fact, the connector may be different. For example, the second attachment means 42 could comprise more than two first connector elements. There are several options for doing this.

A first option consists in having a connector with more than two arms extending from the main plate element 400 as shown in FIG. 12. These arms can be grouped in pairs, with the arms of the same pair being either parallel or not.

In a second option, at least one connector arm could be designed to comprise several first connector elements. In this case, the end of the arm could comprise at least two branches, each branch supporting a first connector element as shown in FIG. 13.