CONNECTOR

Description

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

BACKGROUND OF THE DESCRIPTION

Construction boards, for example plasterboard, are used to construct surfaces such as walls and ceilings inside a building. Such construction surfaces are formed by attaching construction panels to a support structure. In this case, the support structure comprises a plurality of framework elements that are connected to each other and also to at least one of the permanent walls, floors or ceilings of the building. The panels are attached to the framework elements. The framework elements may be rails, uprights or other profiles that comprise a surface configured to attach a construction panel. The framework elements may be C-shaped. A “C-shaped” framework element is defined as formed to comprise a pair of flanges substantially parallel to each other and connected substantially perpendicularly at their bases by a concrete wall, with the pair of flanges having inwardly directed return edges substantially parallel to the concrete wall. For ceilings, the framework elements are suspended from the permanent ceiling of the building by rods. Connectors are used to connect the rails to the rods. It may also be necessary to connect two framework elements together in line, to effectively extend the length of the framework elements. These connectors comprise two parallel plates, each plate having a slotted shape and designed to be inserted into the hollow part of a C-shaped rail. These two plates are joined together by a junction plate, said junction plate being arranged to attach the rod.

The connector is installed by inserting said connector into the hollow part of a rail. Insertion is carried out so that the parallel plates extend along the length of the rail. After this, the connector must be rotated into its final position, so that the parallel plates of the connector are locked in the rail.

The disadvantage of this embodiment is that significant force is required to position the connectors in the rails and current connectors have very low error tolerance. This is because once the connector has been positioned inside the rail, it is difficult to slide them along the rail to adjust their position. This can make installation difficult because, in order to avoid stressing the suspension, the connector must be directly below the position of the permanent ceiling into which the rod will connect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method for solving the above drawbacks and provides a connector that is more simple to use.

To this end, the present invention relates to a connector configured to be inserted into the hollow portion of a framework element and to support said framework element, characterized in that the connector comprises a main plate from which two extension plates extend, said extension plates comprising an elastically deformable material, the connector further comprises means for elastically deforming said connector, whereby an application of force causes said connector to adopt a first position in which the extension plates are deformed in order to be closer to each other so as to allow the connector to be inserted into the hollow part of the framework element, and a subsequent reduction of the force causes the connector to adopt a second position in which the extension plates are in contact with the framework element to attach the connector to the framework element.

The framework element may be a rail.

In one example, the extension plates are symmetrical to each other.

In one example, the extension plates comprise a single part.

In one example, the extension plates comprise at least two parts extending in opposite directions, a first part extending from the main plate and a second part extending from the first part.

In one example, the single part or the second part is curved.

In one example, the single part or the second part is a straight plate having an extension blade.

In one example, each extension blade comprises a slot engaging with the framework element.

In one example, means for elastically deforming said connector comprise at least one lug extending from the extension plate.

In one example, each extension plate comprises a lug.

In one example, said main plate is arranged to be attached to a rod so that the connector is suspended

In one example, said connector is a section, a profile.

In one example, the length of the section is at least 0.5 cm.

The invention further relates to a platform comprising a common plate in which at least two connectors according to the invention are connected.

In one example, the connectors of the platform are opposite each other in pairs.

In one example, the connectors have the same orientation.

The invention also relates to the use of the connector according to the invention to connect two framework elements.

The invention also relates to the use of the platform according to the invention to connect at least two framework elements.

The invention also relates to a bracing accessory for supporting, carrying a framework element comprising a rod attached to a fastening head attached to the framework element and attached to the ceiling by means of a base, wherein the fastening head is the connector according to the invention or the fastening head is the platform according to the invention.

The invention also relates to a method for connecting the connector according to the invention or for connecting the platform according to the invention to a framework element, the method comprising the steps:

• • of supplying the connector or platform and at least one framework element
  • of applying a force to the connector, using the gripping means, so as to place the connector in an installation state, and thereby reduce friction between the connector and a framework element in order to allow the connector to be positioned inside a framework element; and
  • of removing the force on the connector so as to allow the connector to return to the release state, thereby increasing the friction between the connector and the framework element so as to attach it in position inside the framework element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

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

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a building surface system according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a connector engaged with a framework element according to the invention;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 14 are schematic representations of a first example of a connector according to the invention;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic representations of a particular part of a connector according to a first example;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic representations of a second example of a connector according to the invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of the insertion of a connector according to the invention into a framework element;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are schematic representations of a bracing accessory according to the invention;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are schematic representations of a connector using the connector as a profile according to the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a building surface system 1 according to the invention. This building surface system is used vertically to cover a wall or horizontally to form a ceiling.

This building surface system comprises at least one framework element 2 to which at least one panel 3 is attached. The panel is attached to said framework element 2 by means of a fastening device.

The panel 3 used is plasterboard or gypsum board. The panel 3 includes a body comprising a front face, a rear face and a thickness between the front face and the rear face.

The framework element may be C-shaped or other shapes such as an open circle or open oval. The C-framework element is a framework element including a main part from which two arms extend in parallel. The end of each arm may comprise a flange at the free end thereof. This framework element 2 may form part of a framework structure.

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

This framework structure comprises a plurality of framework elements 2. In this case, the framework elements 2 may extend parallel to each other. But it is possible to have a first set of framework elements 2 extending parallel to each other and a second set of framework elements 2 extending perpendicular to the first set of framework elements so as to form a net.

The framework elements 2 are used to attach the panels 3, said panels being attached to said framework element. Attachment can be by screws, nails, fastening systems or any other suitable attachment method.

The framework structure is attached using a bracing accessory 4 to the permanent ceiling or wall or to a structure attached to the permanent ceiling or wall, such as a wooden structure. The permanent ceiling or wall may be concrete. This bracing accessory 4 comprises a base 41 attached to the permanent ceiling or wall, a rod 42 and a fastening head. This fastening head is used to engage with the framework element 2 to hold it in place as shown in FIG. 2. The rod 42 is attached at one end to the base and at the other end to the attachment head. The base 41 is attached by screws, bolts, anchors, adhesive or other suitable attachments to the permanent ceiling or wall or to a structure attached to the permanent ceiling or wall.

According to the invention, a connector or fitting 43 is designed to be more simple than the prior art connector.

A connector 43 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 3. This connector 43 comprises a main plate 430 in which the rod is attached. In some examples of the invention, the rod 42 is screwed to the main plate 430 through a hole 431 or through a threaded tube. Said connector further comprises two extension plates 432 or wings. These extension plates 432 are preferably symmetrical, but alternative examples of the invention may have non-symmetrical extension plates 432. The shape of the extension plates 432 is configured so that at least one point of each extension plate is in contact with the inside of the framework element. This allows the connector 43 to hold the framework element.

In a first example, each extension plate 432 comprises two parts. A first part 4320 extending from the main plate 430 and a second part 4321 extending from the first part. For example, see FIG. 4, in which these parts are linear. The shape of the second part allows said part to be in contact with the framework element. The first and second parts extend in different directions. The extension plates are symmetrical.

The second part may be a curved part as shown in FIG. 3 or a linear part comprising an extension blade 4322 extending towards the framework element as shown in FIG. 4. This extension blade 4322 may be an insert as shown in FIG. 5 or may be formed by deformation of the extension blade as shown in FIG. 6.

In a second example, each extension plate 432 comprises only a part, a single part, extending from the main plate as shown in FIG. 7. The main plate 430 further comprises a hole 431 or a tube 433 having a thread into which the rod is inserted for screwing. The main plate 430 is thus arranged to be suspended by said rod. The single part may be a curved part as shown in FIG. 7 or a linear part comprising an extension blade 4322 extending towards the framework element as shown in FIG. 8.

In the first and second examples, the extension blade 4322 is used to be in contact with the framework element 2, in particular with the flanges of the C-shaped framework element as shown in FIG. 4. In these first and second examples, the curved extension blades 4322 may comprise a groove or slot 4323. This groove or slot 4323 is used to engage with the framework element 2 to lock the connector 43 in said framework element. This slot may take different forms depending on the configuration of the connector.

In a first embodiment, the slot is open as shown in FIG. 4. This open slot is preferably used for a connector which is designed so that the main plate rests on the profile. In this case, the connector is inserted into the profile by the main plate and the slots 4323.

In a second embodiment, the slot has a C-shaped profile as shown in FIG. 14. This C-shaped profile then comprises a space for a portion of the profile to slide therethrough. As each extension blade comprises a C-slot, the connector is attached to the profile via these C-slots. This second embodiment makes it unnecessary to have a connector designed to be supported on the profile by the main plate.

Advantageously, the connector 43 is arranged to allow elastic deformation in order to simplify use. To achieve this, the connector is made of a deformable material, the deformation being elastic. This means that an applied force will deform the connector and, when said force is reduced or removed, the connector 43 will return to its initial state. The material used for the connector comprises one or more materials from the list of: plastics, polymers, metals, metal alloys, carbon fibers, natural fibers such as fibers from plants, or mixtures of one or more of these materials.

In addition, the connector 43 comprises gripping means 435 such as tabs or lugs 4350. These gripping means 435 are used to deform the connector. These tabs are an extension of the extension plates 432. These tabs are arranged at the free ends of the extension plates 432. These tabs or lugs extend from the free ends of the extension plates 432. The tabs of the two extension plates extend to diverge from each other.

With these tabs and the ability of the connector to elastically deform, it is possible for the connector to present at least two positions or states, as shown in FIG. 9. In a first state called the release state, the connector is not subjected to any force. In a second state called the installation state, the connector is subjected to a force. In this state, the operator uses the tabs of the gripping means as pliers so that the two extension plates of the connector are deformed in order to be brought together. The operator then applies a force directly to the gripping means, the tabs 4350. In this case, the connector becomes narrower so that said device can be inserted into the framework element.

Thus, the steps for connecting the connector to the framework element are:

• • applying a force to the connector 43, using the gripping means, so as to place the connector in an installation condition, and thereby reduce friction between the connector and a framework element in order to allow the connector 43 to be positioned inside a framework element 2; and
  • removing the force on the connector so as to allow the connector to return to the release state, thereby increasing the friction between the connector and the framework element so as to attach it in position inside the framework element.

As a result, it is easy for the user to connect the connector 43 with the framework element and to disconnect said connector from the framework element. This makes it easier and more convenient to slide the connector into the framework element to find the right position.

Once the device is inserted into the framework element, the force applied to the connector 43 is removed so that the connector returns to its release state. In this case, the extension plates of the connector come into contact with the framework element so that said connector locks into said framework element.

In a first implementation mode, the connector 43 is designed to be a profile as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. In this first embodiment, the length of this connector as a section, profile is at least 0.5 cm.

In a second embodiment, the connectors 43 may be joined together to form a platform 5 as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In this second embodiment, the main plate 430 of several connectors is joined to a common plate 50.

If the platform 5 comprises two connectors, these connectors may be arranged diametrically opposite each other. The connector of the platform may or may not have the same orientation. But it is also possible that the connectors of the platform are symmetrical.

In a case where the platform comprises more than two connectors, these connectors are arranged crosswise. Said cross may have three, four or more branches. In the case of four branches, the connectors may be opposite each other in pairs.

This arrangement keeps the framework elements in a perpendicular position. With a four-branch platform, it is possible for the platform 50 to hold a first framework element by means of two connectors and two other framework elements perpendicular to the first framework element.

The connectors 43 of the platform 5 may have different orientations. In the case of four branches, the connectors opposite each other have the same orientation.

In a first use of the connector, said connector is used to connect two framework elements together.

In a second use, the connector is used to support a framework element. In this case, the connector 43 according to the invention is the connector of the bracing accessory 4. In this case, the rod 42 is attached to the main plate 430 of the connector 4 or attached to the common plate 50 of the platform 5.

In a building surface system, one or more connectors used to hold one or more framework elements and one or more connectors used to connect at least two framework elements together may be used.

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