EP1945881B1 - Method for mounting blades on a supporting structure and improved fixing element - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the general technical field of fastening systems boards or blades, for example wood, on a support structure in order to achieve floors, flooring or walls and in particular outdoor terraces.

The present invention relates to a fixing of wooden boards on a support structure composed for example of wooden beams such as joists or joists; see for example US 2002/56238 or EP 1771630 .

We already know the fixing of blades by screws. Such fixing involves making pre-drilling through the blades, following a very precise tracing to precisely define the position of the screws. It is also necessary to make cups to house the heads of the screws. Then tighten all the screws one after the other.

Such a method of attachment requires having adequate tools on the sites and requires a significant assembly time, especially for tracing operations and screwing. With such a method is also obtained, a coating of blades with visible screw heads, negatively influencing the aesthetics of said coating.

• une base présentant une face d'appui plane destinée à être fixée sur la structure de support du type solive ou lambourde,
• une face de fixation à partir de laquelle s'étend orthogonalement au moins une partie saillante destinée à s'engager dans un évidement correspondant ménagé dans la lame et débouchant sur une face inférieure de ladite lame,
• la partie saillante comportant à une extrémité libre des tenons obliques selon des directions opposées et s'élargissant progressivement en direction de la face de fixation en partant de l'extrémité libre, la matière constitutive de l'organe de fixation assurant une déformation élastique de la partie saillante lors de l'engagement de la lame sur ladite partie saillante,
• les tenons étant destinés à se positionner en regard d'un bord interne de l'évidement une fois que la lame est complètement engagée sur la partie saillante, laquelle reprend sa conformation d'origine en l'absence de sollicitation par la lame, empêchant alors tout retrait de la lame.

Also known in this technical field fasteners of at least one modular coating blade on a support structure comprising:

• a base having a planar bearing face intended to be fixed on the support structure of the joist or joists type,
• an attachment face from which orthogonally extends at least one projecting portion intended to engage in a corresponding recess formed in the blade and opening on a lower face of said blade,
• the projecting portion comprising at one free end oblique tenons in opposite directions and progressively widening in the direction of the fixing face from the free end, the constituent material of the fastening member providing an elastic deformation of the protruding part during the engagement of the blade on said projecting part,
• the tenons being intended to be positioned opposite an internal edge of the recess once the blade is fully engaged on the protruding part, which resumes its conformation original in the absence of stress by the blade, preventing any removal of the blade.

The document DE - 20 2005 002 204 U1 describes for example a fixing member intended to engage by complementary shape in a recess in a blade. The engagement is made possible by elastic deformation properties of the fastener, which has adequate flexibility. The fastener is made of synthetic material or aluminum. The use of a fastener having a certain flexibility, which allows engagement of the clipping type of the blade often generates a mechanical connection may be altered by stresses on the blade. Moreover, the use of an aluminum fastener and a costly technical solution on the one hand and whose elastic deformation properties are not always satisfactory.

Outdoor terraces are subject to significant thermal variations and humidity variations during the year, which can lead to deformation of the wooden planks. These constraints should be taken into account in order to increase the life of the terraces. Exotic woods with a high degree of hardness are often used for this purpose.

The blades, however, can be subjected to contractions up to 5 mm. Such contractions generate significant constraints on the fastening systems and contribute to weakening the connection between the blades and the support structure.

In addition, sun exposure of the upper faces of the blades is causing a non-homogeneous drying in the thickness of the blades. This phenomenon causes a deformation of the blades called "tiling". The phenomenon of "tiling" makes the blades, in a cross section, a substantially concave or convex shape. Both of these deformations generate substantially orthogonal forces to the bearing face of the blades, so as to weaken or even break the fasteners. These deformations can also initiate an output of the fasteners of their housing formed in the blade. Over time, in all cases, the result is a less reliable connection between the support structure and the blades.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fastener, used in the assembly of blades in the form of a coating, of the outdoor terraces type, by allowing the blades to undergo dimensional variations and deformations related to temperature variations. and moisture, without impairing the reliability of the mechanical connection between the blades and the support structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a coating of wood slats, for example an outdoor terrace, with a fixing for a quick and easy assembly, not requiring the use of mounting tools and specific assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to optimize the performance of such a fastener while limiting its manufacturing cost.

According to the invention, the protruding portion of the fastener comprises a solid tongue, which is provided with stiffening means with the attachment face, and whose free end is formed with the front ends of the tenons joining at an angle acute, the tenons being separated from the full tongue near their rear ends opposite those forming the acute angle, said rear end being elastically deformable so as to approach the full tongue when the blade is engaged on the protruding part.

The fastener thus has its optimized shape by sufficient rigidity to prevent bending or twisting of its central portion formed by the solid tongue associated with the stiffening means.

The shape and the dimensions of the tenons also make it possible to confer on the fixing member on the one hand elastic deformation properties in the direction of engagement of a blade, and on the other hand optimum rigidity in the opposite direction. , thus preventing any removal of the blade.

The fixing member is for example made in one piece by injection or molding of a synthetic material.

The fixing member according to the invention is characterized in principal in that the fixing face constituting the bearing face of the blade, has longitudinally on either side of each projecting part, a substantially concave shape, obtained by adjusting the thickness of the base. This provides a fastener whose bearing face of the blades has a shape closely matching the shape of the blades undergoing a tiling. When the tilting generates a substantially concave shape, it is the central part of the blade, seen in cross section, and located between two projecting parts, which rests on the concave face of the fastener. When the tilting generates a substantially convex shape, seen in cross-section, it is the lateral ends of the blade located beyond two adjacent projecting parts, directed substantially downward, which embrace the primer of a concave shape, being oriented substantially towards said fixing face.

In either case, substantially reduces the vertical forces exerted on the fasteners and in particular on the projecting parts engaged in the recesses of the blade. This avoids wear premature fixing and it does not alter the irreversible engagement of the blade on the fasteners.

According to a preferred embodiment, the fastener according to the invention comprises means for adjusting its longitudinal positioning on the support structure, said adjustment means being able to be biased after the securing member has been secured to the support structure.

The base of the fastener comprises for this purpose localized areas of small thickness and oblong shape, each to be traversed by a fixing screw of said fastener. The thickness is selected so as to allow a displacement in the longitudinal direction of the fastener, under the effect of a longitudinal stress exerted on the projection or portions. This displacement is made possible by a creep material between the base and the fixing screw or screws. The oblong thin areas are for example chamfered groove bottoms which are sandwiched between conical heads of fixing screws and the support structure. A contraction of the blades will then result in a creep of the thin material located at the bottom of the grooves chamfered and traversed by the fixing screw, so as to absorb said contraction by a longitudinal displacement of the fastener relative to the support structure. The fastener according to the invention then has the advantage that a blade can deform in various directions, not generating harmful efforts on the projecting parts.

Furthermore, it is preferable to make irreversible the engagement of the blades on the fasteners. For this purpose, it is desirable to increase the stiffening of the projecting parts and allow their elastic deflection only for clipping engagement in the recesses of the blades. The elastic properties are no longer useful later in an irreversible mounting configuration. Irreversibility is all the more assured that the rigidity of the protruding parts is important.

The use of stiffening means protruding parts thus improves the irreversibility of the assembly and reduce the risk of removal of the blades once mounted on their support structure. The search for optimum rigidity, however, contributes to increasing the risk of rupture of the protrusions in the event of forces generated in the longitudinal direction by a lateral contraction of the blades. The possibility of absorbing such a lateral contraction of the blades by sliding in the longitudinal direction of the fasteners, makes it possible to obtain an increased life of the fixation on the one hand and remarkable reliability in the irreversibility of mounting said blades on their support structure on the other hand.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the projecting part comprises a solid tongue with tenons shaped harpoon, said tenons being elastically deformable in a lateral direction so as to approach the full tongue during the engagement of the blade. The engagement of the blade on the fasteners is therefore by a clipping type operation.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the stiffening means consist of an enlargement of the lower part of the solid tongue. The lower part is also constitutive of the connection between the base and the projecting part.

According to an alternative embodiment, the stiffening means consist of reinforcements, orthogonal to the attachment face, and integral with the solid tongue at the longitudinal or lateral ends of the latter. The dimensions of the reinforcements are chosen to allow the projecting portion to engage in the corresponding recess. Such stiffening means are very easy to achieve, especially when they are made in one piece with fasteners for example by molding or plastic injection. The reinforcements may also serve as support members for the blade engaged on the protruding part.

According to another exemplary embodiment according to the invention, the protruding part comprises two adjacent and parallel tabs, each comprising a tenon, so as to solicit by elastic deformation a bringing together of the two tabs during the engagement of the tabs in the recess . The adjacent legs of the same pair are for example interconnected in the vicinity of the base with at least one longitudinal stiffening edge.

According to an exemplary embodiment, each fastener comprises several projecting parts and the base comprises at its longitudinal ends a dovetail type conformation for assembly with an adjacent fastener. The dimensions of the fasteners and the number of projections on each fastener can be chosen according to the dimensions of the blades.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the fastener comprises a millimeter scale, for example from 1 to 592 mm.

The assembly according to the invention also allows to provide a fixed gap between two adjacent blades. This gives a good absorption of the dimensional variations of wooden boards due to variations in humidity and temperature. Such a gap also favors ventilation between the boards and the joists and the risk of stagnation of water which can cause wood rot is thus greatly reduced.

Another significant advantage is obtained by the fact that the natural work of wood has no effect on the mechanical connection with the fasteners. Indeed, an interesting feature emerges from the engagement or clipping of the fasteners in the recesses, thus constituting a rigid and stable mechanical connection without exerting a constraint on a part or areas of the wood undergoing this natural work, or on the fasteners.

The aims assigned to the invention are also achieved by means of a assembly and assembly assembly of a coating comprising blades for example of wood, for making a terrace or a floor and fixing members such as said blades each having at least one recess in the form of longitudinal groove, whose shape is complementary to that of the protruding parts of the fasteners.

The assembly assembly also comprises a support structure of the joist or joist type supporting the blades, the fasteners providing an interface for mounting and fixing between the support structure and the blades.

Another advantage of the assembly assembly according to the invention lies in reducing the natural tendencies of the wood to deformation under the action of the sun and by machining grooves and grooves by the underside of the blades. These grooves and grooves absorb at least part of the natural tensions inherent in wood, often causing twisting, checking or warping. The grooves are constitutive of the recesses formed in the blades.

The assembly assembly once assembled is for example a terrace, a balcony, a ceiling or a vertical wall.

• à utiliser des organes de fixation précités,
• à positionner les lames de sorte que les évidements sont en regard des parties saillantes,
• et à exercer une pression sur une face supérieure des lames selon une seule direction orthogonale à la structure de support, pour déplacer et engager les lames de façon irréversible sur les parties saillantes.

The objects assigned to the invention are also achieved by a method of mounting modular coating blades on a support structure, consisting of:

• to use the aforementioned fasteners,
• positioning the blades so that the recesses are opposite the projections,
• and exerting pressure on an upper face of the blades in a single direction orthogonal to the support structure, for irreversibly moving and engaging the blades on the projections.

This gives the advantage of securing the blades on the support structure by a single clipping operation orthogonal to the bearing surface of the support structure. In addition, this operation is irreversible because the blades, once attached to the fasteners, can no longer be removed by pulling in a direction opposite to the engagement direction for clipping.

It is also possible to mount the fasteners directly on joists to the workshop and bring them equipped with fasteners on site. No particular tool is then necessary to perform the mounting of the blades on the support structure. It achieves a high speed of assembly reducing the costs in terms of manpower.

For operations maintenance or replacement of damaged blades, it proceeds to the complete clearance of the blades by pulling on the latter in a longitudinal direction coincides with the longitudinal axis of the blades. This traction makes it possible to slide the recesses on the corresponding fasteners. Thus, the fasteners are not deteriorated. In addition it is possible to remove one or more blades to intervene for example under a terrace and re-engage thereafter by clipping by not damaging the blades or the fasteners.

Thanks to the invention, undetectable fastening means are obtained from the upper faces of the blades of the coating.

The mounting method according to the invention also makes it possible to use blades of significant length, for example between 2 m and 3 m, in particular with the use of Ipe boards from Brazil, known for its properties of imputrescibilité and its superior quality, also selected for their rectitude.

• la figure 1 est une représentation schématique en section transversale, montrant une fois assemblés, une lame, une structure de support et un exemple de réalisation d'un organe de fixation conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est représente en vue de dessus, un exemple de réalisation d'un organe de fixation conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de profil de l'organe de fixation de la figure 2;
• la figure 4 représente un détail en perspective de l'organe de fixation des figures 2 et 3 ;
• la figure 5 représente schématiquement un montage de lames sur une structure de support grâce à un organe de fixation conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 6 est une vue partielle en perspective d'un second exemple de réalisation de l'organe de fixation conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 7 est une vue partielle en perspective d'un troisième exemple de réalisation de l'organe de fixation conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 8 représente un montage de lames sur une structure de support avec l'organe de fixation représenté à la figure 7 ;
• la figure 9 est une vue partielle en perspective d'un exemple de réalisation de l'organe de fixation conforme à l'invention, comportant un moyen d'ajustement de sa position par rapport à la structure de support;
• la figure 10 représente un exemple d'assemblage de deux organes de fixations conformes à l'invention de la figure 9 ;
• la figure 11 est une vue partielle agrandie et en perspective de l'organe de fixation de la figure 9 ;
• la figure 12 représente schématiquement un exemple de montage et de positionnement longitudinal de lames sur les organes de fixation conformes à l'invention ;
• les figures 13 à 15 représentent schématiquement des contraintes et des déformations subies par des lames montées sur une structure de support grâce à des organes de fixation conformes à l'invention ;
• la figure 16 représente en perspective et complètement l'organe de fixation des figures 9 et 11 ;
• les figures 17 et 18 représentent respectivement une vue de dessus et une vue de profil de l'organe de fixation de la figure 16;
• la figure 19 est un détail agrandi de la figure 18 ;
• et la figure 20 représente schématiquement un exemple de déformation d'un organe de fixation conforme à l'invention subissant des contraintes.

Other features and advantages will also emerge from the detailed description given below, with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of non-limiting examples, in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic representation in cross section, showing when assembled, a blade, a support structure and an embodiment of a fastener according to the invention;
• the figure 2 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a fastener according to the invention;
• the figure 3 is a profile view of the fastener of the figure 2 ;
• the figure 4 represents a detail in perspective of the fastener of the Figures 2 and 3 ;
• the figure 5 schematically represents a mounting of blades on a support structure by means of a fastener according to the invention;
• the figure 6 is a partial perspective view of a second embodiment of the fastener according to the invention;
• the figure 7 is a partial perspective view of a third embodiment of the fastener according to the invention;
• the figure 8 represents a slide assembly on a support structure with the fastener shown in FIG. figure 7 ;
• the figure 9 is a partial perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the fastener according to the invention, comprising means for adjusting its position relative to the support structure;
• the figure 10 represents an example of an assembly of two fasteners according to the invention of the figure 9 ;
• the figure 11 is an enlarged partial view in perspective of the fastener of the figure 9 ;
• the figure 12 schematically represents an example of mounting and longitudinal positioning of blades on the fasteners according to the invention;
• the Figures 13 to 15 schematically represent stresses and deformations experienced by blades mounted on a support structure by means of fasteners according to the invention;
• the figure 16 represents in perspective and completely the fastener of the figures 9 and 11 ;
• the Figures 17 and 18 respectively represent a top view and a side view of the fixing member of the figure 16 ;
• the figure 19 is an enlarged detail of the figure 18 ;
• and the figure 20 schematically represents an example of deformation of a fastener according to the invention undergoing constraints.

The figure 1 represents an example of mounting a coating blade (1) on a support structure (2). The latter is for example constituted by an arrangement according to a determined step of joists or joists. The mounting of the blade (1) on the support structure (2) is achieved by means of fasteners (3). Each blade (1) has two recess (4) opening on an inner face (5) intended to come opposite the support structure (2).

The fixing member (3) according to the invention and represented in Figures 2, 3 and 4 , comprises a base, substantially flat, having a lower face (6) intended to rest on the support structure (2) and an upper face (7) from which extend substantially orthogonally at least one projecting portion ( 8) in the form of clipping lugs (9). The lower face (6) therefore rests on an upper contact face (2a) of the support structure (2).

The clipping lugs (9) have lugs (10) oriented obliquely away from the clipping lug (9) towards the base. The lugs (10) of two adjacent clipping lugs (9) extend in opposite directions and obliquely towards the base, in the longitudinal direction of the fastener (3). The tenons (10) are advantageously shaped to prevent any removal of a blade (1) once the clipping lugs (9) are fully engaged in the corresponding recess (4) of the blade (1).

According to an exemplary embodiment, each fastener (3) has several pairs of clipping lugs (9) distributed along its longitudinal extension. Each fixing member (3) comprises, by way of example, six or eight pairs of clipping lugs (9).

Furthermore, it is possible to provide on each fastener (3) a millimetric scale, for example from 1 to 592 mm, facilitating the cutting of said fastener (3) according to the desired length.

The base of the fastener (3) also has holes (11) for the passage of fastening screws (12) between the clipping tabs (9) of the same pair. This makes it possible to fasten the fixing members (3) by screwing onto the support structure (2).

It is possible to provide on each fastening member (3), at its longitudinal ends, a dovetail-type conformation (13, 14) for assembly with the adjacent fixing member (3). The ends (13, 14) are for example chamfered to facilitate their mutual engagement. This controls the regularity of the spacing between the projections (8) of two fasteners (3) successive. It is then possible to perfectly control the regularity of the gaps (15) between the blades (1). This gap (15) is for example between 3 and 5 mm. The gap (15) not only allows to evacuate water poured on the upper faces (5a) of the blades (1), but also to absorb, in part at least, the dimensional variations of said blades (1).

A perfect control of the regularity of the gaps (15) also makes it possible to improve visually, the aesthetics of the coating made by a succession of blades (1).

The projecting parts (8) also comprise stiffening means. The clipping lugs (9) of the same pair are thus connected together in the vicinity of the base with a stiffening edge (16) constituting the stiffening means. The stiffening edge (16) makes it possible to give the clipping lugs (9) increased resistance to deformation stresses in the recess (4) and generally applied to the projecting parts (8). The stiffened clipping lugs (9) are less prone to deformations, thus making the attachment of the blades (1) more reliable by ensuring irreversibility of the mounting of the blades (1) on the support structure (2). This increased rigidity also makes it possible to better withstand any temporary deformations of the wood related to the variation of humidity and / or temperature.

The tenons (10) have inclined leading faces (17) engaging in the recess (4) so as to bias the approaching inclined bearing faces (17) of the clipping lugs (9) by elastic deformation. ).

The tenons (10) each also have a holding face (18) substantially parallel to the upper face (7) and being positioned facing an inner edge (19) of the recess (4) once the blade (1) is fully engaged and that the clipping lugs (9) have returned to their original rest position. The recess (4) has for this purpose a longitudinal groove shape opening on the inner face (5) of the blade (1) and whose side walls each have a groove (20) so as to have a substantially transverse cross section. T. We can refer for example to the figure 1 . This groove (20) is therefore partially delimited by a bottom (4a) of the groove and laterally opposite and facing said bottom (4a) by the inner edge (19). When the blade (1) is fully engaged on the fastener (3), it is the holding faces (18) which constitute stops for the inner edges (19), preventing the removal of the blade (1) according to a sense opposite to the sense of commitment.

The internal edges (19) can not disengage from the abutment constituted by the corresponding holding faces (18) and thus an irreversible mounting of the blades (1) is obtained.

An example of mounting the blades (1) on a support structure (2) by means of fasteners (3) according to the invention is represented for example in the figure 5 . The blades (1) are engaged in a single direction E on the fasteners (3).

Three embodiments of the fastening members (3) according to the invention are shown in FIGS. figures 6 , 7 and 9 . The protruding portion (8) comprises in these embodiments a solid tongue (8a) with studs (10) shaped harpoon. The tenons (10) are elastically deformable in a lateral direction so as to approach the solid tongue (8a) during the engagement of the blade (1) on the fasteners (3).

In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8 , the stiffening means of the projecting portion (8) consist of an enlargement (8b) of the lower part of the solid tongue (8a). The projecting portion (8) thus has at a free end (8c) the lugs (10) forming an acute angle and widening progressively from said free end (8c) to the base. An appropriate choice of the constituent material of the fastening member (3) including the projecting parts (8) then ensures a lateral elastic flexion of the tenons (10) during the engagement of the blade (1) on the projecting part ( 8). Tenons (10) must however have a strength that makes them resistant when a withdrawal force is exerted on the blades (1) in a direction opposite to their direction of engagement on the fasteners (3). The tenons (10) are detached for this purpose from the solid tongue (8a) in the vicinity of their rear end, opposite their front end forming an acute angle.

The figure 8 represents, in cross section, a blade (1) mounted on a support structure (2) via a fastener (3) according to the invention. The fixing member (3) is fixed to the support structure (2) by means of screws (12). The recesses (4) are made in the form of longitudinal grooves whose shape, substantially V cross-sectional is complementary to that of the protrusions (8) of the fasteners (3). The recesses (4) therefore perfectly fit the harpoon shape of the projections (8) when the blade (1) is fully engaged on the fastener (3). The recesses (4) also have the inner edges (19) abutting against the holding faces (18) of the tenons (10), as soon as the blade (1) is fully engaged on the fasteners (3).

The figure 9 represents another embodiment of a fastener (3) according to the invention, comprising means for adjusting its longitudinal positioning on the support structure and once it is fixed on said support structure (2).

The adjustment means comprise localized thin zones (22) of oblong shape and intended to be traversed each by a fixing screw (12). The localized thin areas (22) each correspond, for example, to a bottom of a chamfered recess (23), oblong, formed in the attachment face (7) of the fastener (3). This reduced thickness is chosen so as to allow a slight displacement in the longitudinal direction of the fixing member (3) under the effect of a longitudinal stress exerted on the projecting parts (8). This displacement is made possible by a creep of the constituent material localized thin areas (22) between the base and the fixing screw (12). The fasteners (3) can then move relative to the fastening screws (12) passing therethrough.

It is thus possible to absorb stresses generated by a contraction of the blades (1), for example in the direction C1 or in the direction C2 schematized in FIGS. figures 13 , 16 and 20 . When a blade (1) generates simultaneous stresses in the C1 and C2 opposite directions on adjacent projections (8), on which it is engaged, a longitudinal displacement is obtained and more precisely a connection between these two projecting parts (8). ) thanks to the creep of the constituent material of the thin localized area (22). We can refer in particular to figures 16 and 20 . The constraints along the directions C1 and C2, corresponding to a contraction of the blade (1), thus generates a deformation of the base along a direction F schematized at the figure 20 . This deformation F is located between two adjacent projections (8) which are engaged in the same blade (1).

Between two projecting portions (8) adjacent and each engaged in a distinct blade which contracts, there is a slight extension of the base connecting said projections (8). The fastener (3) according to the invention therefore has a base, a first portion (3a) undergoes deformation and a second portion (3b) is extended when the blades (1) contract. We can refer for example to the figure 16 .

In the example of the figure 6 , the stiffening means of the projecting portion (8) consist of reinforcements (24) extending orthogonally with respect to the attachment face (7). These reinforcements (24) are integral with the solid tongue (8a) at the longitudinal ends thereof. The reinforcements (24) have dimensions generally smaller than those of the protruding part (8) so as not to hinder the engagement of said protruding part (8) in the corresponding recess (4). Reinforcements (24) are for example made in one piece with the fastener (3).

In the embodiment shown in figure 9 reinforcements (24) extend orthogonally with respect to the base upwardly along the solid tongue (8a). The reinforcements (24), of the rib type, are on the one hand located on each side of the full tongue (8a) and on the other hand between the pairs of tenons (10) of each projecting part (8). This provides optimal stiffening of the projecting portion (8).

The second portion (3b) of the base also has rupture primers (3c). These last allow to break more easily, and in particular without tools, the fastener (3) so as to adapt its length to the number of blades (1) used to make a coating or a terrace.

The fixing face (7) constituting the bearing face of the blade (1) has, longitudinally on either side of each projecting portion (8), a substantially concave shape (7a) obtained by progressive and continuous adjustment of the thickness of the base of the fastener (3). For example, we can refer to Figures 13 to 19 . It is thus the first and second portions of the base (3a, 3b) that have the substantially concave shape (7a).

When the blade (1) is not deformed (cf. figure 13 ), it rests on the fastening member (3) in the vicinity of the projections (8). On the other hand, when the blade (1) undergoes a curl, that is to say a deformation schematized by the arrows D1 and D2 to Figures 14 and 15 the inner face (5) of the blade (1) is deformed in the concave shape (7a) of the fixing face (7). During a tiling in the diagrammatic sense at the figure 14 it is the central part of the blade (1) located between the projecting parts (8) which bears against the concave part (7a). The lateral ends of the blade (1) are oriented slightly upwards away from the attachment face (7). Insofar as the blade (1) can be deformed by conforming to the concave shape (7a) situated between the projecting parts (8), a significant reduction of the vertical stresses exerted on the projections (8) is obtained. In the absence of a concave shape (7a) on the attachment face (7), the deformation schematized at the figure 14 would have the effect of exerting traction on the projections (8) substantially in the direction of deformation D1.

Moreover, during a schematic distortion at the figure 15 it is the lateral ends of the blade (1) that deform in the concave shapes (7a) located beyond each of the two adjacent projections (8) and engaged in the same blade (1). The absorption by the fixing member (3) of this deformation, accompanied by an uplift of the central portion of the blade (1), considerably reduces the vertical forces exerted on the projections (8) substantially in the direction D2. In the absence of such a concave shape (7a) facing the lateral ends of the blade (1), the deformation of the central portion of the blade (1) would have led to exerting on the projections (8) a traction in a direction D2, promoting a break in the binding.

The fastener (3) according to the invention thus makes it possible to substantially reduce the stresses associated with a tiling phenomenon and detrimental to the good behavior over time and the fastening.

Advantageously, the base of the fasteners (3) has gaps (21) in particular to save material during their manufacture. The fasteners (3) are for example made in one piece by injection or molding of a synthetic material polypropylene type, POM or PA.

The mounting method according to the invention of blades (1) modular coating on the support structure (2) therefore consists of using the fasteners (3) to fix the blades (1) on the support structure (2). ) and to secure said fasteners (3) with said support structure (2).

According to another step of the method according to the invention, it is appropriate to position the blades (1) with their recess (4) in front of the projections (8) of the fasteners (3).

Then, according to a complementary step, it is necessary to move the blades (1) in a single direction (E) (cf. figure 5 ) substantially orthogonal to the extension plane of the support structure (2) corresponding for example to the upper contact faces (2a) of joists for irreversibly engaging the fastening members (3) in the recess or recesses (4) by a clipping operation. This operation consists in exerting pressure on the upper faces (5a) of the blades (1).

The mounting of the blades (1) is thus obtained in an extremely simple manner with a minimum of assembly operations and a preparation being limited to machining the recesses (4) in each of the blades (1).

According to an exemplary implementation of the method according to the invention, it is possible to adjust the positioning of the blades (1) by sliding them in the direction (A) of the longitudinal recess or recesses (4), as this is shown for example at the figure 12 .

The present invention also relates to an assembly assembly and assembly of a coating for achieving in particular when assembled a terrace, a balcony, a floor, a vertical wall or a ceiling. It is therefore particularly interesting to use the fasteners (3) according to the invention for cladding operations.

It is conceivable, without departing from the scope of the present invention, to produce blades (1) made of synthetic material of composite wood type.

It is also conceivable without departing from the scope of the present invention to transfer technical characteristics of an exemplary embodiment of the fastener (3) to another embodiment of said fastener (3). It is thus possible to provide on the fixing member (3) represented for example in FIG. figure 1 a concave shape (7a) of the fixing face (7) between the clipping lugs (9) of two adjacent projections (8). In addition, means for adjusting the longitudinal position of the fixing member (3) on the support structure (2) can also be provided in the embodiment shown in FIG. figure 1 or 7 .

Claims (12)

1. A member (3) for fastening at least one modular covering strip (1) on a support structure (2), including

   - a base (1) having a planar bearing face (6) designed to be fastened on the support structure (2) of the girder or sleeper type,

   - a fastening face (7) from which several protruding parts (8) extend orthogonally that are designed to engage in a corresponding recess (4) arranged on the strip (1) and emerging on a lower face (5) of said strip (1),

   - the protruding part (8) including, at a free end (8c), posts (10) oriented in oblique directions and widening gradually toward the fastening face (7) starting from the free end (8c), the component material of the fastening member (3) ensuring an elastic deformation of the protruding part (8) when the strip (1) is engaged on said protruding part (8),

   - the posts (10) being designed to be positioned across from an inner edge (19) of the recess (4) once the strip (1) is completely engaged on the protruding part (8), which returns to its original configuration when no bias is exerted by the strip (1),

   - then preventing withdrawal of the strip (1),
   the protruding part (8) including a solid tongue (8a), which is provided with stiffening means with the fastening face (7), and the free end (8c) of which is formed with the front ends of the posts (10) coming together in an acute angle, the posts (10) being separated from the solid tongue (8a) near their rear ends opposite those forming the acute angle, said rear ends being elastically deformable in a favored direction owing to their incline, so as to come closer to the solid tongue (8a) when the strip (1) is engaged on the protruding part (8),
   characterized in that the fastening face (7), making up the bearing face of the strip (1), longitudinally has a substantially concave shape on either side of each protruding part (8) that is obtained by adjusting the thickness of the base.
2. The fastening member according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes means for adjusting its longitudinal position on the support structure (2), said adjusting means being able to be biased and activated after securing the fastening member (3) on the support structure (2).
3. The fastening member according to claim 2, characterized in that the adjusting means include localized zones with a smaller thickness (22) and an oblong shape in the base, each designed to be passed through by a fastening screw (12) of said fastening member (3), said thickness being chosen so as to allow movement of the fastening member (3) in the longitudinal direction under the effect of the longitudinal stress exerted on the protruding parts (8), owing to a material creep between the base and the fastening screw(s) (12).
4. The fastening member (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the stiffening means are formed by a wider portion (8b) of the lower part of the solid tongue (8a).
5. The fastening member (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the stiffening means are made up of reinforcements that are orthogonal relative to the fastening face (7), and secured to the solid tongue (8a) at the longitudinal or lateral ends thereof, the dimensions of the reinforcements (24) being chosen to allow the protruding part (8) to engage in the corresponding recess (4).
6. The fastening member (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the base includes, at its longitudinal ends (13, 14), a dovetail-type configuration for assembly with an adjacent fastening member (3).
7. The fastening member (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it includes a millimetric graduation, for example from 1 to 592 mm.
8. The fastening member (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is made in a single piece by injection or molding of a synthetic material.
9. An assembly for mounting and assembling a coating comprising strips (1) for example made from wood, to produce a terrace or floor and fastening members (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the strips (1) each having at least one recess (4) in the form of a longitudinal groove, the shape of which is at least partially complementary to that of the protruding parts (8) of the fastening members (3).
10. The assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that once assembled, it constitutes a terrace, balcony, floor, vertical wall or ceiling.
11. A method for assembling modular covering blades (1) on a support structure (2), consisting of:

    - using fastening members (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 10,

    - positioning the strips (1) such that the recesses (4) are across from the protruding parts (8), and

    - exerting pressure on an upper face (5a) of the strips (1) in a single direction orthogonal to the support structure (2), to move and engage the strips (1) irreversibly on the protruding parts (8).
12. The assembly method according to claim 11, characterized in that it consists of adjusting the positioning of the strips (1) by sliding in the longitudinal direction (A) of the recesses (4).

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