ES3045965T3 - Corner piece for framework of a protection installation - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a one-piece angle piece (3) intended for use in a frame formed by the assembly of profiles (20), said angle piece extending in a longitudinal direction (A) and comprising, in said longitudinal direction, an upper and a lower portion, said angle piece (3) comprising: - An angle extending in said longitudinal direction between an upper end and a lower end, - Said angle comprising two free edges folded inwards so as to form two longitudinal flanges (300, 310) and delimit a concavity (32), - A first right-angle reinforcement (33), inserted transversely in said concavity, - A second rectangular reinforcement (34) inserted transversely in said concavity. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, no legal value)

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Corner piece for the structure of a protective installation

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a corner piece intended for use in a structure formed by the assembly of profiles. This type of structure can be used in particular in a protective installation such as a pergola, awning, etc.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] A structure used in a pergola-type protective installation consists of several metal profiles assembled together. The structure generally comprises several posts that rest against the ground and support, at each corner, a rectangular upper frame made up of several profiles. At the top of each post, the structure has a corner piece fixed to the post below, ensuring a right-angle connection between two adjacent frame profiles. A roll-up awning or retractable louvers are mounted on this frame and can be controlled to provide protection from the sun or inclement weather.

[0007] In the structure, each corner piece has a strategic position as it is attached to the top of a post and supports two frame profiles. Therefore, it must:

[0008] - be easy to assemble and attach to your receiving post;

[0009] - be equipped with assembly means to easily receive the two frame profiles and fix these two profiles;

[0010] - have adequate mechanical characteristics to ensure frame support;

[0011] - eventually, be equipped with certain functions such as rainwater drainage and filtration; such corner pieces have already been described in previous documents, for example in patent applications FR3090807A1, FR2970495A1 and FR3034823A1. However, these previous solutions are not necessarily suitable for fulfilling all the objectives listed above.

[0012] The architecture of a corner piece is also described in patent application EP3587697A1. Document EP3587697 A1 describes a one-piece corner piece intended for use in a structure formed by the assembly of profiles, said corner piece extending in a direction called longitudinal and comprising, in said longitudinal direction, a portion called upper and a portion called lower, said corner piece comprising an angle extending in said longitudinal direction between an upper end and a lower end, said angle comprising two free edges folded inwards so as to form two longitudinal flanges and delimit a concavity, each longitudinal flange having an inner face oriented towards the interior of the concavity and an opposite outer face, and a rectangular reinforcement inserted transversely in said concavity, the reinforcement comprising several holes for the passage of fixing screws.

[0013] The objective of the invention is therefore to propose a corner piece that has an architecture adapted to meet the aforementioned objectives.

[0014] Presentation of the invention

[0015] This objective is achieved by means of a monoblock corner piece intended to be used in a structure formed by the assembly of profiles, said corner piece extending in a direction called longitudinal and comprising, in said longitudinal direction, a part called upper and a part called lower, said corner piece comprising:

[0016] - an angle bracket extending in said longitudinal direction between an upper end and a lower end, - said angle bracket comprising two free edges folded inwards so as to form two longitudinal fins and delimit a concavity,

[0017] - a first corner reinforcement, inserted transversely in said concavity,

[0018] - a second rectangular reinforcement inserted transversely in said concavity.

[0019] According to one feature, the first reinforcement is located in the transverse plane of the upper end of the angle. According to another feature, the second reinforcement (34) is located in the transverse plane of the lower end of the angle.

[0020] According to the invention, each longitudinal fin has a first face called internal, oriented towards the inside of the concavity, and an opposite face called external, and the corner piece comprises, on the external face of each fin, at least one male-type assembly element, which extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane formed by the external face of said fin.

[0021] According to another peculiarity, each longitudinal fin (300, 310) carries two different male-type assembly elements, and in each longitudinal fin the two assembly elements extend along two different lengths.

[0022] According to the invention, the second reinforcement comprises several holes for the passage of fixing screws.

[0023] According to another feature, the first reinforcement comprises several holes for the passage of tools.

[0024] According to another feature, each longitudinal fin comprises several holes for the passage of fixing screws. According to another feature, the angle bracket has two longitudinal sides that have several holes for the passage of tools.

[0025] According to another peculiarity, the second reinforcement has a central opening, intended to communicate with the internal volume of a post.

[0026] According to another particularity, the corner piece comprises a grid arranged perpendicular to the plane formed by said second reinforcement and made according to two right-angle planes by means of the extension of each longitudinal fin.

[0027] According to another feature, the grille has several holes for the passage of screws.

[0028] According to another peculiarity, each longitudinal fin is perforated by an oblong hole for the passage of electrical cables.

[0029] The invention also relates to a structure for a protective installation, comprising several posts, a corner piece fixed to the top of each post, each corner piece being intended to support two profiles of an upper frame, each corner piece being as defined above.

[0030] Brief description of the figures

[0031] Other features and advantages will appear in the detailed description that follows, given in relation to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0032] - Figure 1 schematically represents a pergola-type installation;

[0033] - Figure 2 shows the corner piece according to the invention;

[0034] - Figure 3 represents the corner piece according to the invention, positioned on its receiving post and intended to receive a profile of the upper frame;

[0035] Detailed description of at least one implementation

[0036] The invention falls within the field of structures used in pergola-type installations or equivalent. As illustrated in Figure 1, such a structure generally comprises two or four posts 1 and a rectangular upper frame 2. The upper frame 2 can be supported at its four corners by four posts or supported at two corners on the same side by two posts and hung on a wall at the level of its opposite side. To connect each post to the frame, the structure includes a corner piece 3. The corner piece 3 is intended to be fixed to a post 1 located below, to support two frame profiles 20, and to create the right-angle joint between these two profiles. The upper frame can support a roll-up awning 21 or adjustable louvers intended to provide protection, especially from the sun.

[0037] For the remainder of the description, a direction called longitudinal (A) is defined which is parallel to the axis of post 1 on which corner piece 3 is fixed. The frame 2 of the structure is thus oriented in a transverse plane with respect to said longitudinal direction (A).

[0038] The terms “upper”, “lower”, “above”, “below” or equivalent terms should be understood with reference to this longitudinal direction (A), oriented vertically.

[0039] The terms “internal”, “external”, “interior”, “exterior” should be considered in reference to the internal zone delimited by the pergola structure.

[0040] Along this longitudinal direction (A) a top and a bottom are defined in corner piece 3.

[0041] With reference to Figure 2 and Figure 3, the corner piece 3 of the invention is advantageously produced in the form of a monoblock.

[0042] Advantageously, it is made of metallic material, for example steel or aluminum.

[0043] The corner piece 3 can be manufactured, for example, by sheet metal bending and welding operations. The corner piece 3 comprises an angle formed by two longitudinal sides 30, 31 assembled at a right angle. The two longitudinal sides 30, 31 of the angle are oriented towards the interior of the structure, and the right angle formed between these two sides 30, 31 thus forms the external right angle of the structure.

[0044] The angle piece has two free edges folded perpendicularly inwards, so that they form two longitudinal fins 300, 310. Each longitudinal fin 300, 310 is intended to support one end of a profile 20 other than the upper frame 2 of the structure and to allow the attachment of this profile 20 to the corner piece.

[0045] On its two longitudinal sides 30, 31 and its two longitudinal fins 300, 310, the angular delimits a concavity 32.

[0046] Corner piece 3 also has means of mechanical reinforcement of the angle.

[0047] The corner piece 3 thus comprises a first reinforcement formed by a right-angle element 33, arranged transversely inside said concavity 32.

[0048] This first reinforcement is advantageously inserted in the transverse plane of the upper edge of the angle.

[0049] The right-angle element 33 comprises a first branch extending longitudinally, perpendicular to the first fin 300 and in the extension of the upper edge of this first fin 300 along the upper edge of the first longitudinal side 30.

[0050] The right-angle element 33 comprises a second branch extending longitudinally, perpendicular to the second fin 310 in the extension of the upper edge of this second fin 310, along the upper edge of the second longitudinal side 31.

[0051] The two branches of the right-angle element 33 meet at a right angle at the level of the right-angle bracket.

[0052] Corner piece 3 has a second reinforcement formed from a rectangular, advantageously square, reinforcing plate 34.

[0053] This second reinforcement is inserted into the concavity 32 in the transverse plane of the lower edge of the angle.

[0054] According to a particular aspect, the corner piece 3 can have various means of assembly and fixing to both fix to the receiving post 1 and support, on either side, two profiles 20 of the upper frame 2 of the structure.

[0055] Each longitudinal fin 300, 310 has a first face called internal oriented towards the inside of the concavity 32 and an opposite face called external.

[0056] On the outer face of each longitudinal fin 300, 310, the assembly means may comprise at least one male-type assembly element 301a, 301b, 311a, 311b, extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane formed by the outer face of said fin. By way of example, each fin may have two male-type assembly elements 301a, 301b, 311a, 311b as shown in Figure 2. These two elements are each intended to mechanically engage with a corresponding female portion of a profile 20 of the upper frame 2 (see Figure 3). They allow for temporary assembly of the upper frame onto the posts before final attachment. These elements may be welded to the fins.

[0057] By way of non-limitation, each male (spigot) type assembly element 301 a, 301 b, 311a, 311b is presented in the form of a profile, for example with a U-shaped cross-section. The two assembly elements (301 a, 301b for fin 300, and 311a, 331b for fin 310) of the same fin may have a different U-shaped section, the lower element 301a, 311a having a wider section with respect to that of the upper element 311a, 311 b. This solution allows for coupling during the assembly of profile 20. Furthermore, within the same flange, the two elements can have different lengths (in the mounting direction of profile 20), for example, the lower element (301a, 311a) being shorter than the upper element (301b, 311b), thus facilitating assembly. The installer can proceed in two stages, first ensuring the profile is guided onto the longer element and then indexing the profile onto the shorter element.

[0058] It should also be noted that the construction of the corner piece and the orientation of its assembly elements means that the two profiles 20 of the upper frame 2 are each assembled on the corner piece so that their outer face is located in extension and flush with the outer face of a different longitudinal side 30, 31 of the corner piece.

[0059] Each longitudinal fin 300, 310 is perforated with one or more openings called fixing holes 302, 312 to each form a passage for inserting a fixing screw 4. Each fixing screw 4 is intended to be screwed into the profile 20 of the upper frame 2, this profile being applied at one end against the plane formed by the outer face of the longitudinal fin 300, 310.

[0060] On the opposite side of each fin, the parallel longitudinal side 30, 31 of the angle has, for each fixing opening, a corresponding opening 303, 313 located on the same axis and intended for the passage of a tool such as a screwdriver or wrench.

[0061] Each longitudinal fin 300, 310 may also have an opening 304, 314, for example oblong in shape, intended for the passage of electrical cables through the structure.

[0062] For attachment to post 1, the corner piece 3 also has several fixing openings 340 arranged axially through the reinforcement plate 34. Not limited to, four fixing openings can be made, positioned at the level of the four corners of the plate 34. These openings 340 are each intended to receive a fixing screw 5 that fits into a thread made in post 1.

[0063] On the opposite side of the three fixing openings of the corner piece that are not axially accessible, three tool passage openings 330 are made through the right-angle element 33 located on the top of the corner piece.

[0064] Advantageously, the rectangular reinforcing plate 34 can be provided with a central opening 341, for example circular in shape, intended to allow water to flow into the post 1 below.

[0065] Advantageously, the corner piece 3 may be provided with a grate 35 formed by two right-angled parts arranged along the two sides of the reinforcing plate 34, opposite the two longitudinal sides 30, 31. The grate 35 is intended to filter the water directed into the post 1 through the dedicated opening 341. The grate 35 may have fixing openings 350 for the passage of screws for fixing the profile 20 of the upper frame 2.

[0066] The corner piece 3 according to the invention therefore presents several advantages, which are listed below: - it is simple to install on a post and facilitates the installation of the upper frame;

[0067] - features a robust construction, while having a limited weight;

[0068] - allows access to the fixing screws;

[0069] - integrates various functionalities such as rainwater filtration, electrical cable routing, etc.

Claims (12)

1. CLAIMS 1. One-piece corner piece (3) intended for use in a structure formed by the assembly of profiles (20), said corner piece extending in a direction called longitudinal (A) and comprising, in said longitudinal direction, a part called upper and a part called lower, said corner piece (3) comprising - an angle bracket extending in said longitudinal direction between an upper end and a lower end, - said angle bracket comprising two inwardly folded free edges forming two longitudinal fins (300, 310) and defining a concavity (32), each longitudinal fin (300, 310) having an inner face oriented towards the interior of the concavity (32) and an opposite outer face, - the corner piece comprising, on the outer face of each longitudinal fin, at least one male-type assembly element (301a, 301b, 311a, 311b) extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane formed by the outer face of said fin, - a first reinforcement (33) at a right angle, inserted transversely in said concavity, - a second rectangular reinforcement (34) inserted transversely in said concavity, the second reinforcement comprising several holes (340) for the passage of fixing screws (5). 2. Corner piece according to claim 1, characterized in that the first reinforcement (33) is located in the transverse plane of the upper end of the angle. 3. Corner piece according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second reinforcement (34) is located in the transverse plane of the lower end of the angle. 4. Corner piece according to claim 1, characterized in that each longitudinal fin (300, 310) carries two separate male-type assembly elements (301 a, 301 b, 311a, 311 b), and in that in each longitudinal fin the two assembly elements have different lengths. 5. Corner piece according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first reinforcement (33) comprises several holes (330) for the passage of tools. 6. Corner piece according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each longitudinal fin (300, 310) has several holes (302, 312) for the passage of fixing screws (4). 7. Angle piece according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the angle piece comprises two longitudinal sides (30, 31) having several holes (303, 313) for the passage of tools. 8. Corner piece according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the second reinforcement (34) comprises a central opening (341), intended to communicate with the internal volume of a post (1). 9. Corner piece according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a grid (35) arranged perpendicularly to the plane formed by said second reinforcement (34) and made according to two right-angled planes by means of the extension of each longitudinal fin (300, 310). 10. Corner piece according to claim 9, characterized in that the grid (35) has several holes (350) for the passage of screws. 11. Corner piece according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that each longitudinal fin (300, 310) is perforated with an oblong hole (304, 314) for the passage of electrical cables. 12. Structure for protection installation, comprising several posts (1), a corner piece fixed to the top of each post, each corner piece being intended to support two profiles (20) of an upper frame (2), characterized in that each corner piece is as defined in one of claims 1 to 11.