SYSTEM FOR SECURING SLATS FOR FORMING A RAISED FLOOR OR DECK

Abstract

The system for removably securing slats juxtaposed to form a deck, for example for a terrace, includes fasteners disposed in rows on level floor or joist or beam structure supports oriented perpendicular to the axis of the slats. The fasteners have a device for securing the supports to the slats. A plurality of impermeable channels is disposed parallel for a level floor, or at a rate of one impermeable channel for each joist or beam support. The top surface of the support, a device for removable securing and a device for positioning provided on the profiled section are covered. The fasteners are made of a flexible elastic material, and the device for positioning allows clearance in a direction of an axis of the channel.

Claims

1. A system for removably securing slats juxtaposed to form a deck, said system comprising: fasteners arranged in rows on supports oriented perpendicular to the axis of said slats, said fasteners being comprised of fastening means to the slats, a plurality of impermeable channels arranged in parallel for a planar floor, or at a rate of one impermeable channel for each support of the joist or sleeper type and then covering the upper surface of said support, removable securing means and positioning means being provided on the channel and on the fasteners made from a flexible elastic material, said positioning means allowing play in the direction of the axis of the channel.

2. The system for fastening juxtaposed slats according to claim 1, wherein each channel comprises two lateral guideways configured to cooperate with at least two tabs forming a hook protruding from the soleplate of each fastener near its longitudinal ends, which elastically clip in said guideways when the soleplate rests on the upper surface of the channel.

3. The system for fastening juxtaposed slats according to claim 1, wherein said tabs extend from crosspieces connecting the edges of rectangular openings formed in the soleplate, said crosspieces being oriented along the axis of the channel.

4. The system for fastening juxtaposed slats according to claim 3, wherein said tabs comprise, on their face opposite that provided at the free end with a protruding channel constituting the hook, a fin whereof the lower channel protrudes from the soleplate and comprises a rectangular cutout.

5. The system for fastening juxtaposed slats according to claim 1, wherein the positioning means comprises at least two studs protruding past the soleplate, provided to be inserted in two positioning holes provided in the upper surface of the channel, said studs being situated on either side of two median planes of the fastener, longitudinal and transverse, respectively.

6. The system for fastening juxtaposed slats according to claim 3, wherein two studs, each connected by a tongue to a first edge of an opening of the soleplate that is parallel to the axis of the channel and proximal with a transverse median plane of the fastener, each stud being placed near a second edge of the opening perpendicular to the first edge.

7. The system for fastening juxtaposed slats according to claim 4, wherein an upper surface of the channel comprises a planar central rail on which the fasteners rest, topping two lateral planar portions placed at a distance from the upper surface of the rail at least equal to the protrusion of the tabs and fins from the lower surface of the soleplate.

8. The system for fastening juxtaposed slats according to claim 1, wherein the channel is provided, in a transverse direction, with returns able to cover part of the vertical support faces.

9. The system for fastening juxtaposed slats according to claim 7, wherein a central axial groove with a substantially rectangular section is formed in the upper surface of the central rail, said groove being provided on its opposite vertical walls with a linear threading oriented parallel to the surface of the channel.

10. The system for fastening juxtaposed slats according to claim 7, wherein the central rail of the channel comprises, on either side of the central groove, two side grooves with a rectangular section with a width at least equal to the diameter of the studs, the upper opening of which is partially closed by recessed rims separated by a slot, in which positioning orifices for the studs are formed.

11. The system for fastening juxtaposed slats according to claim 1, wherein the fasteners comprise a through orifice centered, in a transverse direction of the profile, relative to said groove.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The invention will now be described in more detail, in reference to the appended figures.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fastening system according to the invention applied to several slats and a support of the sleeper type.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a perspective top view of the fastener.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows a perspective bottom view of the fasteners.

[0032] FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b are cross-sectional views, illustrating the fastening of a fastener on a channel.

[0033] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the channel provided with fasteners, a portion of which provided without them shows their positioning orifices.

[0034] FIG. 6 shows a top plan view of the limitation of the axial functional play.

[0035] FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective and section views, respectively, showing how to disassemble the slats of a planking.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] In reference to the figures, and first to FIG. 1, the system for fastening slats (1) according to the invention is made up of a channel (2) topping a sleeper (20) on which fasteners (3) are arranged transversely, in principle regularly.

[0037] The fasteners, which can in particular be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, are made up of two main parts, a soleplate (4) intended to bear against the upper part of the channel (2), protruding from which a fastening portion (5) is deployed substantially perpendicularly, the upper part of which includes oblique lateral rebates (6, 6′), with an arrow shape in cross-section, said portion (5) being configured to be clipped in the recesses with corresponding shapes (7) arranged in the inner surface of the slats (1) in a manner known in itself.

[0038] On either side of the portion (5), the soleplate (4) includes rectangular openings (8) crossed by crosspieces (9) to which tabs (10) are fastened provided with a hook-shaped end (11) (see in particular FIG. 3). These tabs (10) protrude from the lower surface of the soleplate (4), which also includes an orifice (12) making it possible, if applicable, to screw the fastener (3) to the channel (2).

[0039] Studs (13) appear in two windows (8) situated diagonally in the soleplate (4). These studs are connected via a tongue (14) to the small sides of the proximal openings (8) of the transverse median plane of the fasteners (3), but in the immediate vicinity of a large side.

[0040] The tabs (10) include, on their face opposite that which has the hook-forming end portion (11), a fin (15) whereof the lower channel has a rectangular cutout (16).

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the studs (13) as well as the fins (15) and cutouts (16) protrude from the lower surface of the soleplate (4). The channel (2) includes a central rail (17) provided with three parallel grooves, a central groove (18) and two side grooves (19, 21). These grooves have a rectangular section, and the central groove (18) has a linear threading on both of its vertical faces. The central rail is framed, in cross-section, by two planar portions in which the tabs (10)/fins (15) are deployed.

[0042] The threading of the central groove (18) makes it possible, if applicable, to fasten the tab (3) using a screw inserted in the orifice (12) and which can then be fastened in the linear threading when the tab (3) is in the inserted position, as shown in FIG. 4b, i.e., with the lower surface of the soleplate (4) in contact with the upper surface of the rail (17).

[0043] FIG. 4a shows the fastener (3) before its insertion, the arrows showing the direction and sense of the force to be applied on the fastener (3) to clip it on the channel (2). The passage from one to the other involves equipping the tabs (10) and their hooks (11) in lateral guideways (22, 23) of the central rail (17).

[0044] The hook portions (11), as well as the upper part of the lateral guideways (22, 23), include a beveled or oblique surface allowing, like a cam, sliding, then flexion of the tabs (10) so they may be clipped inside the guideways (21, 22).

[0045] Simultaneously with this clipping, the studs (13) are inserted in pre-drilled orifices (24), at regular intervals, in the grooves (19, 20), as shown in FIG. 5.

[0046] The positioning of the fasteners (3) in the channel (2) is therefore particularly precise. That being the case, and in the case of a deformation of the slats (1), involving either swelling or contraction of the wood, i.e., a transverse deformation of each slat in the direction of an expansion resulting in an increase of its width or a withdrawal that results in a reduction of its width, the fasteners (3) have the possibility of lateral play, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0047] The arrows appearing in this FIG. 6 show the direction of the contraction or expansion of the slats, allowing a flexion of the tongues (14) until they abut against the edge of the openings (8) near which the studs (13) are situated. These edges limit the flexion and form a stop with respect to the movement, and therefore the possible play.

[0048] The tongues (14) can therefore deform in order to allow the fasteners (3) to slide slightly along the channel, thereby preventing deterioration of the fasteners (3) when the wood deforms. The additional advantage of limiting the travel due to the proximity of the studs (13) to the edge of the openings (8) lies in the fact that the wood is kept, despite its expansion or retraction, near its predefined position, which is important in the more general context of the configuration and management of the planking.

[0049] FIG. 7 shows the shape that may be assumed by a disassembly tool (25) provided with an upper part for manipulation by the user and a lower segment (26) provided to engage with the cutouts (16) of the fins (15). The segment (26) is inserted into an interstice separating two adjacent slats (1), then the tool is pivoted by 90° before placing it in the cutout (16) that protrudes below the soleplate (4), as clearly shown in FIG. 4b. This movement is possible due to the existence of the offset between the upper surface of the central rail (17) of the channel (2) and the planar portions in which the tabs (10) and the fins (15) are deployed. All that remains is then to exert upward traction as shown by the arrow in FIG. 8 to unlock the hook (11) from the guideway (22) by deformation (flexion) of the tab (10), involving, if applicable, combined twisting of the crosspiece (9). The fastener (3) disassembled from the channel (2) remains in the slat (1), from which it may nevertheless be removed subsequently. The operation may be repeated for the other fasteners, until complete disassembly of the slats (1) from its different supports (20).

[0050] The channel (2), for example manufactured from extruded aluminum, is therefore rigid, while the fasteners (3) must of course be made from a flexible and elastic material so that all of the described manipulations are possible.

[0051] The invention is not limited to the example described based on the aforementioned figures, but on the contrary encompasses the alternative forms and constitutions within the reach of one skilled in the art.