FR3025349A1 - FIXING SYSTEM FOR ATTACHING A PANEL TO A POST - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastening system for fixing a panel to a pole, characterized in that it comprises: - a fastener (1) comprising; two tabs (2b) adapted to extend on either side of the post, and whose ends (3b) are adapted to cooperate with a panel in order to maintain said panel against the post, - a tongue (4) elastically deformable disposed opposite the ends (3b) of the tabs (2b) and extending transversely thereto, said tab (4) separating a passage space (7a) of the post (8), and a space receiving member (7b) for a cam (5), and - a cam (5) arranged in the receiving space (7b) and adapted to cooperate with the tongue (4) to clamp the said panel by elastic deformation thereof between the tabs (2b) of the fastener (1) which cooperate with said panel and the post (8) with which the tongue (4) cooperates.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a sign fixing system on a pole. Traditionally, a road sign, including a road sign, is fixed to the post that carries it by means of fastening systems comprising one or more metal clamps or clamps enclosing the post and fixed by bolts to one or more fastening rails arranged on the back side of the panel. Such a fastening system, however, has several disadvantages. First, setting up the panel and bolts or screws requires at least two people and can only be done by one person. Then, the establishment of the panel is quite long, and thus immobilizes these two people for a period that can become prohibitive when a large number of panels must be mounted and / or disassembled.

In addition, the size of the clamps or clamps depends on the post, as well as the bolts must be adapted to the slides disposed on the rear face of the panel. This therefore requires a set of fastening systems, with their appropriate tools, to adapt to the type of post and / or panel, which increases the costs and risks of error. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to remedy at least in part these drawbacks and preferentially to all, by proposing a panel fixing system that is simple and quick to put in place, that can be adapted to different panel configurations. and poles, without requiring specialized tools. For this purpose, there is provided a fixing system Fixation system for fixing a panel to a pole, comprising: - a fastener comprising; Two tabs adapted to extend on either side of the post, and whose ends are adapted to cooperate with a panel to maintain said panel against the post, - an elastically deformable tongue disposed opposite the 5 ends of the tabs and extending transversely thereto, said tab separating a passage space from the post extending between said tab and the tabs, and a receiving space for a cam, and a cam disposed in the receiving space and adapted to cooperate with the tongue to clamp by elastic deformation thereof the panel between the tabs of the fastener which cooperate with said panel and the pole with which the tab cooperates. The fastening system according to the invention allows a very simple assembly and disassembly of the signaling panels, which can be carried out by an isolated operator. In fact, by the pivoting of the cam, the panel and the post are pinched together, thereby securing the panel to the post. Moreover, the cam being mounted on the fastener, there is no risk of loss of the elements. In addition, the possibility of making the fastener and the plastic cam makes lighter and cheaper fastening systems possible. The system is advantageously completed by the following features, taken alone or in any of their technically possible combination: the cam is shaped so that its cooperation with the tongue is a function of an inclination of said cam; the cam has a zone adapted to cooperate with a tool in order to generate a pivoting of said cam capable of modifying its inclination; the fastener has two oblong holes extending in the main direction of the tabs, in which the cam is engaged, allowing adjustment of the positioning of said cam in the main direction of the tabs and constituting pivoting supports for said cam; - The fastener has a bottom in a portion opposite to the ends of the tabs, said bottom defining the receiving space of the cam in front of the tongue, said cam 35 being adapted to cooperate with said bottom according to its inclination for s pressing said bottom to deform the tongue; The cooperation between the tongue and the cam is maintained by the friction between said tongue and said cam; - The face of the tongue intended to cooperate with the cam has a flat surface, so as to allow a continuous adjustment of its inclination; The tabs of the fastener are elastically deformable so that, when the two tabs are placed on either side of the post, said tabs are adapted to grip said post; the fastener and / or the cam are made of plastics material, preferably filled polyamide; - The fastener has a projection and the cam has a shoulder forming a mechanical stop, shaped so that their cooperation blocks the cam in rotation relative to the fastener. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a panel, a pole, and at least one fastening system according to the invention, said fixing system fixing said panel on said post. PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES The invention will be better understood, thanks to the following description, which relates to embodiments and variants according to the present invention, given as non-limiting examples and explained with reference to the schematic drawings. in which: - Figures 1 and 2 are diagrams illustrating a fastener according to a possible embodiment of the invention; - Figures 3 and 4 are diagrams illustrating a fastening system fixing a panel on a pole according to a possible embodiment of the invention; Figures 5, 6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating the cam and its cooperation with the fastener according to possible embodiments of the invention; FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating two fixing systems fixing a panel on a pole according to a possible embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the fastener 1 comprises two tabs 2a, 2b with ends 3a, 3b. The two tabs 2a, 2b extend parallel to each other.

The tabs 2a, 2b are adapted to cooperate with the panel to be fixed to hold it against the post. Like the example illustrated, the ends 3a, 3b of the tabs 2a, 2b can be bent so as to form hooks adapted to be engaged in a slide of a panel to be fixed.

The fastener 1 also comprises a resiliently deformable tab 4 disposed opposite the ends 3a, 3b of the tabs 2a, 2b and extending transversely thereto. The tongue 4 has a generally rectangular shape which is attached to the rest of the fastener 1 by only one of its sides.

The tongue 4 separates a passage space 7a from the pole 8 extending between said tongue 4 and the tabs 2a, 2b, and a receiving space 7b for a cam. The fastener has a bottom end in the portion of the side opposite the ends of the tabs 2a, 2b, delimiting the receiving space 7b of the cam opposite the tongue 4. The fastener has two oblong holes 6a, 6b. extending in the main direction of the legs 2a, 2b, and in which the cam is intended to be engaged. The face of the tongue 4 intended to cooperate with the post has at rest a flat surface, that is to say that it does not have a relief such as bumps, suitable to define preferential holding positions for the cam . Thus, the flatness of the surface allows a continuous adjustment of the inclination of the cam, it can take any inclination to maintain it, without predetermination thereof. The system thus continuously adapts to any pole size on which it is likely to fix a panel. The legs 2a, 2b are deformable elastically. More generally, the assembly of the fastener 1 is elastically deformable, since the fastener 1 constitutes a single piece whose elements are integral. In fact, the fastener 1 is preferably made by molding. The material constituting the fastener 1 may be metallic, such as for example steel or aluminum.

Preferably, however, the fastener 1 is made of plastic material, more specifically thermoplastic. More preferably, the fastener 1 is made of filled polyamide. For example, the plastic used for the fastener 1 is polyamide PA 6/6 polyhexamethylene adipamide loaded with glass fibers and / or elastomers. For example, the polyamide is loaded with 30% glass fibers.

Referring to Figures 3 and 8, the fastener 1 is placed against a post 8 so that the tabs 2a, 2b extend on either side of the post 8. The ends 3a, 3b curved s' engage in a slide 9a of the panel 9 and cooperate with the inner wall of the slide 9a of the panel 9 which is on the side of the pole 8.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the fastener 1 can be positioned with the ends 3a, 3b of its legs 2a, 2b oriented upwards as well as downwards, and could likewise be positioned with the ends 3a, 3b its legs 2a, 2b oriented on the sides. Preferably, in order to fix a panel to a post, at least one fastener 1 is positioned with the ends 3a, 3b of its legs 2a, 2b directed towards the top, these cooperating with the top of the panel 9, and at least a fastener 1 is positioned with the ends 3a, 3b of its legs 2a, 2b oriented downwards, these cooperating with the bottom of the panel 9. A face of the tongue 4 is positioned against the post 8, on the side of the This face of the tongue 4 is preferably planar so as to maximize the contact surface with the post 8, but the tongue can adopt another shape, for example a curve, in order to adapt to different forms of pole. As in the example illustrated, the fastener 1 may have an opening, here a slot 12, at the level of the fastener to which the tongue 4 is attached, in order to make it possible to evacuate the dirt which could accumulate in the air. receiving space 7b of the cam 5, especially in the case where the fastener 1 is positioned open on the top as the fastener at the top of Figure 8. The fastening system also comprises a cam 5 disposed in space 7 and adapted to cooperate with the tongue 4 to clamp by elastic deformation thereof the panel 9 between the tabs 2a, 2b of the fastener 1 which cooperate with said panel and the post 8 with which the tab 4 cooperates In the case of Figure 8, the clip 1 at the top of the figure is shown without this cam 5 for purposes of illustration.

The cam 5 has two opposite ends 5a, 5b adapted to be engaged in the oblong holes 6a, 6b of the clip 1. The ends 5a, 5b are shaped to allow the cam 5 to pivot along the cam. axis connecting said ends 5a, 5b. For example, the ends 5a, 5b have a circular section. The oblong holes 5 6a, 6b in which the ends 5a, 5b engage then constitute pivot supports for the cam 5. The extension of the oblong holes 6a, 6b in the main direction of the tabs 2a, 2b, in the direction of post 8 and panel 9, that is to say transversely to the passage of the post 8, allows the cam 5 to adapt its positioning to the size of the post 8.

The cam 5 is shaped so that its cooperation with the tongue 4 is a function of an inclination of said cam 5. The cam has a zone adapted to cooperate with a tool in order to generate a pivoting of said cam adapted to modify its inclination . This zone may be an element such as a projecting lug or nut head, or may be an aperture adapted to receive the tool. In the example illustrated by FIGS. 3 and 5, the opening 10 is a cavity transverse to the axis of pivoting of the cam 5, into which a tool such as a flat screwdriver can be introduced to rotate the cam 5 As illustrated in FIG. 4, the opening 10 can also be arranged in the axis of pivoting of the cam 5, at one of the ends 5a, 5b, and be in the form of a hexagon socket in which case the tool used to rotate the cam 5 is a hex key, also called Allen key. In order to facilitate the cooperation of the tool with the zone of the cam, for example by the insertion of a tool into the opening 10 of the cam, the fastener 1 may have an opening or notch 11 facing it. the stroke of the zone, in this case the opening 10, during the pivoting of the cam 5. Figure 4 shows more clearly the cooperation between the cam 5 and the tongue 4. The cam 5 has an asymmetry of revolution around the axis connecting its two ends by which it is supported by the fastener 1. The pivoting of the cam 5 about this axis changes the pressure applied by the cam 5 on the tongue 4, as well as on the bottom of It should be noted that the bottom 1a of the fastener 1 is preferably more rigid than the tongue 4, for example because it is thicker, and consequently, the pivoting of the cam 5 essentially causes a modification of 35 the elastic deformation of the tongue 4. A sufficient pressure ap plied by the cam 5 on the tongue 4 makes it possible to hold the fastener 1 on the post 8, via the clamping action exerted jointly by the tongue 4 on the post 8 and by the ends 3a, 3b of the legs on the panel 9, pressing said panel 9 against the pole 8.

Depending on the degree of pivoting of the cam 5 and because of its asymmetry, it is easy to adapt the fastening system to different sizes of post 8 or panel 9. The cooperation between the tongue 4 and the cam 5 is maintained by the frictional forces between said tongue 4 and said cam 5, and between the cam 5 and the bottom 1a of the fastener 1.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate in more detail the cam 5 and its cooperation with the clip 1, the cam 5 being shown in profile. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the cam 5 has a transverse dimension A in the direction connecting the faces of the cam 5 intended to cooperate respectively with the tongue 4 and with the bottom 1 of the fastener 1. These faces of the cam are of two types. The faces 51 and 52, symmetrical about the axis 0 of rotation of the cam 5, have a rounded profile, the radius of curvature is increasing in the direction of tightening. It is these faces which are intended to cooperate first with the tongue 4 and the bottom of the fastener 1 during tightening. The profile of these faces 51 and 52 is determined so that the resultant efforts at the level of cooperation between them and tab 4 or the bottom is included in the friction cone in the absence of bias by the operator.

When clamping, the transverse direction of the cam 5 corresponding to the transverse space requirement A in the direction connecting the faces of the cam 5 intended to cooperate respectively with the tongue 4 and with the bottom of the fastener 1 makes a angle cc with the horizontal, that is to say with the perpendicular to the tongue 4 and the bottom 1a, which are generally vertical when the fastener 1 is in place on the pole 8. Since the radius of curvature of the faces 51 and 52 is increasing in the direction of tightening, the effective size of the cam 5 in the horizontal plane, that is to say in the main direction of the legs of the clip 1, then takes a value A ' less than the transverse bulk A. In fact, A x cos (a). Thus, the force exerted by the cam 5 on the tongue 4, which is a function of the effective space requirement of the cam 5 in the horizontal plane, is a function of the angle a, and therefore of the inclination of the cam. cam 5.

The faces 54 and 55, also arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis 0 of rotation of the cam 5, have a substantially straight profile, and perpendicular to the direction of the transverse bulk of the cam 5. This profile 5 allows, when the faces 54 and 55 are in contact with the fastener, to constitute a local minimum force exerted by the cam 5 on the fastener 1, ensuring the stability of the clamping. These faces respectively extend the faces 51 and 52 previously described. The passage from the face 51 to the face 55 and the passage from the face 52 to 54 are aligned with the axis 0, and this alignment constitutes the direction of the transverse bulk of the cam 5. In the illustrated embodiment in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cam 5 has a shoulder 59 forming a mechanical stop. The shoulder 59 serves as a mechanical stop intended to cooperate with a protrusion 41 such as the end of the tongue 4 or the end of the bottom 1a of the fastener 1, in order to prevent any return of the cam in the direction loosening. When clamping the cam 5, the shoulder 59 comes opposite the protrusion 41, and the protrusion thereof causes a relaxation of the forces exerted on the tongue 4 and on the bottom 1a. The projection 41 is then housed against the shoulder 9. Thus, the abutment of the shoulder 59 results in a noise or a change in resistance to rotation perceptible by the operator, which indicates that the cam is put in place. Adaptation to different sizes of post is then ensured by the deformability of the fastener. The shoulder 59 may for example be constituted by a groove machined on one of the faces 54, 55 of the cam 5 intended to cooperate with the tongue 4 or with the bottom 1 of the fastener 1. The presence of this shoulder 59 is however optional, since the conformation of the cam in the absence of it allows to block it in cooperation with the fastener.

In the absence of a shoulder 59, as in FIG. 5, the operator, to loosen the cam 5 in order to disassemble the fastener 1, rotates the cam 5 in the loosening direction, that is to say clockwise in FIG. 5. In the presence of a shoulder 59, as in FIG. 7, said shoulder prevents rotation in the direction of loosening, that is to say clockwise in FIG. It is therefore necessary for the operator to turn the cam 5 in the tightening direction, that is to say in the counterclockwise direction in Figure 7, in order to loosen the cam 5. It is therefore necessary to additional security since an individual seeking to loosen the cam 5 will tend to try to turn it in the direction of loosening, which is not possible, and will result rather in the degradation of the zone 10 adapted to cooperate with a tool.

Like the fastener 1, the cam 5 can be obtained by molding. The cam 5 may be made of a metallic material such as steel or aluminum. Preferably, however, the cam 5 is made of plastic, more specifically thermoplastic. More preferably, the cam 5 is made of filled polyamide.

For example, the plastic used for the cam 5 is polyamide PA 6/6 polyhexamethylene adipamide filled with glass fibers and / or elastomers. For example, the polyamide is loaded with 30% glass fibers. The cam 5 and the fastener 1 are preferably made of the same material.

Fixing a panel to a post by means of a fastening system as previously described is simple and easy to implement, even by a single operator. An example of implementation will now be described.

With the pole 8 in place, the first fastener to be put in place is that intended to cooperate with the top of the panel 9, with the ends 3a, 3b of its tabs 2a, 2b directed upwards, as for the fastener of the The top of Figure 4. The operator puts the clip 1 by bringing it so that the two tabs 2a, 2b of the fastener extend on both sides of the post 8. As the legs 2a, 2b of the fastener 1 are elastically deformable, they are adapted to grip said post 8. In fact, the elastic return produced by the deformation induced by the spacing from each other of the legs 2a, 2b when the establishment of the fastener on the post 8 makes it possible to hold the fastener in place on the post 8.

As the fastener 1 is held on the post 8, the operator can then place the panel 9 on the ends 3a, 3b of the tabs 2a, 2b, which, directed upwards, thus suspend the panel 9, without require the help of a second operator. The operator, by means of a tool inserted in the opening 10, then rotates the cam 5 until the tongue 4, pressed by the cam 5, exerts on the post 8 a sufficient pressure to maintain the fastener 1 on the post 8, and the panel 9 via the cooperation of the ends 3a, 3b with said panel 9. It is then sufficient to place on the post 8 the fastener 1 for the bottom of the panel 9 and to rotate the cam 5 to the proper position. The invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in FIGS. Modifications are possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims (12)

REVENDICATIONS1. Fastening system for fixing a panel to a pole, characterized in that it comprises: - a fastener (1) comprising; two lugs (2a, 2b) adapted to extend on either side of the post, and whose ends (3a, 3b) are adapted to cooperate with a panel (9) in order to maintain said panel against the post, a resiliently deformable tongue (4) disposed opposite the ends (3a, 3b) of the tabs (2a, 2b) and extending transversely thereto, said tongue (4) separating a passage space ( 7a) of the post (8) extending between said tongue (4) and the tabs (2a, 2b), and a receiving space (7b) for a cam (5), and a cam (5) disposed in the receiving space (7b) and adapted to cooperate with the tongue (4) to clamp by elastic deformation thereof the panel (9) between the tabs (2a, 2b) of the fastener (1) which cooperate with said panel and the pole (8) with which the tongue (4) cooperates. 2. System according to the preceding claim, wherein the cam (5) is shaped so that its cooperation with the tongue (4) is a function of an inclination of said cam (5). 3. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cam (5) has a zone (10) adapted to cooperate with a tool to generate a pivoting of said cam adapted to change its inclination. 4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastener has two oblong holes (6a, 6b) extending in the main direction of the tabs (2a, 2b), in which is engaged the cam (5). , allowing adjustment of the positioning of said cam (5) in the main direction of the tabs and constituting pivot supports for said cam (5). 5. System according to any one of claims, wherein the fastener has a bottom (1a) in a portion opposite to the ends of the tabs, said bottom defining the receiving space (7b) of the cam (5) opposite. the tongue (4), said cam (5) 3025349 12 being adapted to cooperate with said bottom according to its inclination to bear on said bottom to deform the tongue (4). 6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooperation between the tongue (4) and the cam (5) is maintained by the friction between said tongue (4) and said cam (5). 7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the face of the tongue (4) intended to cooperate with the cam (5) has a flat surface, so as to allow a continuous adjustment of its inclination. 8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tabs (2a, 2b) of the fastener (1) are elastically deformable so that when placing the two legs (2a, 2b) from and on the other side of the post (8), said tabs (2a, 2b) are adapted to grip said post (8). 9. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastener (1) and / or the cam (5) are made of plastic. 20 10. System according to the preceding claim, wherein the fastener (1) and / or the cam (5) are made of filled polyamide. 11. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastener (1) has a projection (41) and the cam (5) has a shoulder (59) 25 forming a mechanical stop, shaped so that their cooperation blocks the cam (5) in rotation with respect to the fastener (1). An assembly comprising a panel, a post, and at least one fastening system according to any one of the preceding claims, said fastening system fixing said panel to said post.