FIXING DEVICE FOR MOUNTING WALL ELEMENTS FOR CONSTRUCTING A WALL

Abstract

A fixing device for mounting wall elements for constructing a wall, includes: a support profile, A securing element which is designed to extend between the wall elements and can be twisted relative to the support profile between a first position in which an engagement element of the securing element remains separate from the support profile, and a second position in which the engagement element engages on the support profile for fixing and secures the wall elements; and a closing profile which in the second position is attachable to the securing element and comprises a blocking element for preventing the securing element from twisting back.

Claims

1. Fixing device for mounting wall elements for constructing a wall, the said fixing device comprising: a support profile having a holding side for fixing the wall elements thereto; a securing element which is provided with an engagement element for engaging on the support profile for fixing the securing element to the support profile, and which is designed to extend between the wall elements; and a closing profile which is attachable to the securing element for holding the wall elements between the support profile and the closing profile; wherein for fixing to the support profile, the securing element is twistable relative to the support profile between: a first position in which the engagement element remains separate from the support profile so that the securing element is movable transversely on the holding side relative to the support profile; and a second position in which the engagement element engages on the support profile so as to fix the securing element to the support profile, and in which the closing profile is fixable to the securing element; and in the second position, the securing element is designed to secure the wall elements, and the closing profile includes a blocking element in order, on fixing of the closing profile to the securing element, to prevent the securing element from twisting back from the second position to the first position.

2. Fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: for securing the wall elements, the securing element includes a first securing edge for a first said wall element to engage behind in the second position, and a second securing edge for a said second wall element to engage behind in the second position.

3. Fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: the closing profile is fixable to the securing element by means of a click connection.

4. Fixing device according to claim 3, wherein: the closing profile is provided with an attachment groove which is delimited on either side by an undercut retention edge, and that the securing element is provided with two click legs corresponding to the retention edges of the closing profile for click-fastening the securing element behind the retention edges of the closing profile in order to implement the click connection.

5. Fixing device according to claim 4, wherein: the attachment groove of the closing profile is provided with upright side edges which each serve as a said blocking element.

6. Fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: the securing element includes a support profile fixing part which is provided with said engagement element for fixing to the support profile, and includes comprises a closing profile fixing part which is provided for fixing to the closing profile, and includes comprises a core which connects together the support profile fixing part and the closing profile fixing part.

7. Fixing device according to claim 2, wherein: the securing element includes a support profile fixing part which is provided with said engagement element for fixing to the support profile, and includes a closing profile fixing part which is provided for fixing to the closing profile, and includes a core which connects together the support profile fixing part and the closing profile fixing part; and the first securing edge and the second securing edge form part of the closing profile fixing part.

8. Fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: when the securing element is fixed to the support profile and when the closing profile is fixed to the securing element, the closing profile is set at an intermediate distance from the support profile, and the fixing device includes adjustment means for setting this intermediate distance.

9. Fixing device according to claim 7, wherein: when the securing element is fixed to the support profile and when the closing profile is fixed to the securing element, the closing profile is set at an intermediate distance from the support profile and the fixing device includes adjustment means for setting this intermediate distance; and the core is designed so as to be flexible, and the adjustment means are designed to move the support profile fixing part and the closing profile fixing part relative to one another by means of deformation of the core.

10. Fixing device according to claim 8, wherein: the securing element is provided with several said engagement elements which form part of the adjustment means and are designed for stepped engagement on the support profile for fixing the securing element to the support profile.

11. Fixing device according to claim 8, wherein: the adjustment means includes a click-in element with several click edges, designed for stepped implementation of the click connection.

12. Fixing device according to claim 6, wherein: the adjustment means includes a click-in element with several click edges designed for stepped implementation of the click connection; and the core includes a first core part which is provided with the said click-in element, and includes a second core part which is provided with an engagement edge for a said click edge of the click-in element to engage behind in order to implement the click connection to form the core.

13. Fixing device according to claim 10, wherein: the adjustment means includes a click-in element with several click edges designed for stepped implementation of the click connection; and the engagement elements of the securing element together form said click-in element; and.

14. Fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: the support profile and the closing profile are identical to one another.

15. Wall assembly, the wall assembly comprising: two wall elements and a fixing device for mounting said wall elements, and the fixing device is a fixing device according to claim 1.

16. Fixing device according to claim 1, wherein: for securing the wall elements, the securing element includes a first securing edge for a first said wall element to engage behind in the second position, and a second securing edge for a said second wall element to engage behind in the second position; the securing element includes a support profile fixing part which is provided with said engagement element for fixing to the support profile, and includes a closing profile fixing part which is provided for fixing to the closing profile, and includes a core which connects together the support profile fixing part and the closing profile fixing part; the first securing edge and the second securing edge form part of the closing profile fixing part; and when the securing element is fixed to the support profile and when the closing profile is fixed to the securing element, the closing profile is set at an intermediate distance from the support profile, and the fixing device includes adjustment means for setting this intermediate distance.

Description

[0061] In this detailed description, by means of reference signs, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0062] FIG. 1 shows in perspective a first embodiment of a securing element of a fixing device according to the invention, viewed from above, from the front, from the left side;

[0063] FIG. 2 shows in perspective the securing element from FIG. 1 viewed from above, from the front, from the right side;

[0064] FIG. 3 shows in top view a first embodiment of a support profile of a fixing device according to the invention which also serves as a closing profile;

[0065] FIG. 4 shows in top view an end profile for a fixing device according to the invention;

[0066] FIG. 5 shows in top view an alternative embodiment for a support profile of a fixing device according to the invention;

[0067] FIG. 6 shows in top view a standard profile of a fixing device according to the invention;

[0068] FIG. 7 shows in top view a seal of a fixing device according to the invention;

[0069] FIG. 8 shows in top view a corner profile of a fixing device according to the invention;

[0070] FIGS. 9 to 14 show, in various stages and in top view, how two glass panels may be fixed by means of the securing element from FIG. 1 between a support profile from FIG. 3 and a closing profile from FIG. 3 in order to construct a wall, wherein the securing element is shown in cross-section in FIG. 13 in order to illustrate the screw inserted through this;

[0071] FIG. 15 shows in top view a part of a wall assembly according to the invention in mounted state at the level of the connection of two glass panels, a securing element from FIG. 1, a support profile from FIG. 3, and a closing profile from FIG. 3;

[0072] FIG. 16 shows in top view a part of a wall assembly according to the invention in mounted state at the level of the connection of a glass panel, a standard profile from FIG. 6, a securing element from FIG. 1, a support profile from FIG. 3, and a closing profile from FIG. 3;

[0073] FIG. 17 shows in top view a part of a wall assembly according to the invention in mounted state at the level of the connection of a glass panel, a securing element from FIG. 1, an end profile from FIG. 4, and a closing profile from FIG. 3;

[0074] FIG. 18 shows in top view a part of a wall assembly according to the invention in mounted state at the level of the connection of two glass panels, two securing elements from FIG. 1, a corner profile from FIG. 8, and two closing profiles from FIG. 3;

[0075] FIG. 19 shows in top view a part of a wall assembly according to the invention in mounted state at the level of the connection of two glass panels, a securing element from FIG. 1, a support profile from FIG. 5 and a closing profile from FIG. 3;

[0076] FIG. 20 shows in perspective a second embodiment of a securing element of a fixing device according to the invention, viewed from above, from the front, from the left side;

[0077] FIG. 21 shows in perspective the securing element from FIG. 20 viewed from above, from the front, from the right side;

[0078] FIG. 22 shows in perspective the securing element from FIG. 20 viewed from above, from behind, from the left side;

[0079] FIG. 23 shows in perspective the securing element from FIG. 20 viewed from above, from behind, from the right side;

[0080] FIGS. 24 to 27 show in various stages, in top views, how two glass panels can be fixed by means of the securing element from FIG. 20 between an alternative embodiment of a support profile and an alternative embodiment of a closing profile, in order to construct a wall;

[0081] FIG. 28 shows in top view how two thinner glass panels can be fixed with the securing element from FIG. 20 between the support profile and the closing profile from FIGS. 24 to 27, in order to construct a wall;

[0082] FIG. 29 shows in top view how two even thinner glass panels can be fixed with the securing element from FIG. 20 between the support profile and the closing profile from FIGS. 24 to 27, in order to construct a wall;

[0083] FIG. 30 shows in perspective a third embodiment of a securing element of a fixing device according to the invention, viewed from above, from the front, from the left side;

[0084] FIG. 31 shows in perspective the securing element from FIG. 30 viewed from above, from the front, from the right side;

[0085] FIG. 32 shows in perspective the securing element from FIG. 30 viewed from above, from behind, from the left side;

[0086] FIG. 33 shows in perspective the securing element from FIG. 30 viewed from above, from behind, from the right side;

[0087] FIG. 34 shows in perspective the securing element from FIG. 30 in opened state, slightly twisted relative to FIG. 33;

[0088] FIG. 35 shows in perspective the securing element from FIG. 30 in opened state, viewed from the opposite side from FIG. 34;

[0089] FIG. 36 shows a securing element from FIG. 30 in cross-section, cut through the screw inserted therein.

[0090] The wall assembly (1) shown comprises various panels (3) which are mounted by means of a fixing device (2) according to this invention in order to form walls.

[0091] These panels (3) may serve as partition walls and for this may assume many forms. They may be glass panels (3), wooden panels, plastic panels, acoustic panels etc.

[0092] The fixing device (2) illustrated comprises support profiles (4, 25, 26, 27) and closing profiles (6), between which the panels (3) may be fixed. The support profiles (4, 25, 26, 27) for this may be fixed in a room by means of standard profiles (28). For this, the closing profiles (6) are fixable to the support profiles (4, 25, 26, 27) by means of securing elements (5).

[0093] A first support profile (4), in the embodiment shown, is configured so as to be identical to the closing profile (6).

[0094] A second support profile (25) is designed thicker than the closing profile (6). This may for example serve to make the support profile (25) more rigid and/or use the cavity (29) thereof functionally and/or for aesthetic reasons.

[0095] A third support profile (26) is designed as an end profile (26) in order to be able to terminate and aesthetically finish a wall to be free-standing in a room.

[0096] A fourth support profile (27) is designed as a corner profile (27) in order to connect walls together at an angle relative to one another in an aesthetically pleasing fashion, With the corner profile (27) shown, walls can be connected together at an angle of 90?. Similarly, corner profiles (27) can also be designed to connect together walls at different angles, such as for example 45? or 135?.

[0097] The support profiles (4, 25, 26, 27) and closing profiles (6) shown may for example be produced by extrusion so that they can easily be cut to length without loss of functionality.

[0098] Each of the support profiles (4, 25, 26) and closing profiles (6) is provided with a holding side (7) for fixing the panels (3) to this.

[0099] The corner profile (27) is provided with two such holding sides (7) at 90? to each other so that panels (3) attached to this also extend at 90? relative to one another.

[0100] On their holding sides (7), the support profiles (4, 25, 26, 27) and closing profiles (6) are provided with grooves (12) for placing seals (11) therein which protrude relative to the holding sides (7) and are elastic so that they can be compressed when the panels (3) are attached to these holding sides (7).

[0101] The support profiles (4, 25, 26, 27) and closing profiles (6) are furthermore provided on their holding sides (7) with an attachment groove (13) which is delimited on both sides by an undercut retention edge (8) which forms a collar relative to an upright side wall (10) of the attachment groove (13). In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 24 to 29, the support profile (4) is provided with an additional undercut retention edge (8) so that the securing element (5) can thereby be fixed adjustably to said support profile (4), as shown in FIGS. 27 to 29 and as will be discussed further below.

[0102] The securing elements (5) comprise firstly a support profile fixing part (15) for fixing to a support profile (4, 25, 26, 27) and secondly a closing profile fixing part (16) for fixing to a closing profile (6). A core (14) which connects together the support profile fixing part (15) and the closing profile fixing part (16) is designed to extend between the panels (3) in mounted state.

[0103] Each securing element (5) is designed to be fixed to a support profile (15) by twisting said securing element (5) around a virtual rotational axis (R) of this securing element (5).

[0104] For this, the support profile fixing part (15) of the securing element (5) is provided with an engagement edge (9) which, viewed relative to the rotational axis (R), extends radially relative to the securing element (5) for engagement behind the retention edge (8) of a support profile (4, 25, 26, 27) in order to fix the securing element (5) to the support profile (4, 25, 26, 27). In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 20 to 29, the securing element (5) is provided with several such engagement edges (9) so that the securing element (5) can thereby be fixed adjustably to said support profile (4), as shown in FIGS. 27 to 29 and as will be discussed further below.

[0105] In order to fix a depicted securing element (5) to a support profile (4, 25, 26, 27), this securing element (5) is arranged in a first position with one end of the support profile fixing part (15) in the attachment groove (13) of the support profile (4, 25, 26, 27), as illustrated in FIGS. 9-10 and in FIGS. 24-25. In this first position, the engagement element (9) remains separate from the support profile (4, 25, 26, 27) so that the securing element (5) is movable transversely on the holding side (7) relative to the support profile (4, 25, 26, 27). With the engagement element (9) in the attachment groove (13), the securing element (5) is then twisted through 90? about the rotational axis (R) (see FIG. 11 and FIG. 26) into a second position, in which an engagement element (9) engages behind retention edges (8) of the support profile (4, 25, 26, 27) in order to fix the securing element (5) to the support profile (4, 25, 26, 27).

[0106] The depicted securing element (5) is rotationally symmetrical. When the securing element (5) is twisted through 180? relative to the rotational axis (R), this securing element (5) remains identical. In this way, said securing element (5) can easily be brought into the first position relative to a support profile (4, 25, 26, 27).

[0107] To allow the engagement edge (9) to engage easily in the attachment groove (13) behind the retention edges (8), at opposite corners said engagement edge (9) is provided with a taper (17) with a thinner point which gradually widens so that, on twisting of the securing element (5) from the first position to the second position, the engagement edge (9) is gradually clamped behind the retention edges (8).

[0108] At various points, the securing element (5) is provided with the necessary roundings (21) and chamfers (22) to allow twisting of the securing element (5).

[0109] Each engagement edge (9) is furthermore also provided with a limiting surface (20) to abut against the side walls (10) of the attachment groove (13) in order to limit the rotational movement of the securing element (5) on twisting of the securing element (5) from the first position to the second position.

[0110] The closing profile fixing part (16) of the securing element (5) is also provided with click legs (18) for click-fastening the securing element (5) behind the retention edges (8) of the closing profile (6), as shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 27. These click legs (18) are in each case mutually connected by a central elastic connection (19).

[0111] When the closing profile (6) is click-fastened onto the securing element (5), the side walls (10) of the attachment groove (18) secure the click legs (18) so as to prevent the securing element (5) from twisting back from the second position to the first position.

[0112] To be able to erect walls with the wall assembly (1) shown, firstly in the known fashion standard profiles (28) are placed precisely at the desired positions. Using the support profiles (4, 25, 26, 27), frames can be assembled with the desired dimensions for placing the panels (3) thereon. At places where the walls are to be attached to the standard profiles (28), these frames may be provided with normal support profiles (4) or with thickened support profiles (25). At places where the walls are to be erected free-standing and hence not attached to a standard profile (28), these frames may be provided with an end profile (26). At places where walls are to be connected to one another at an angle, these frames may be provided with a corner profile (27).

[0113] Frames formed in this way may then be placed at the desired position against the standard profiles (28) and fixed thereto.

[0114] Panels (3) may then be placed against the support profiles (4, 25, 26, 27) and fixed to these support profiles (4, 25, 26, 27) by means of securing elements (5). For this, the securing elements (5) are each provided with a securing face (38) which protrudes relative to the core (14) and behind which the panels (3) engage when the securing elements (5) are fixed to the support profiles (4, 25, 26, 27) and for this brought into the second position. When two panels (3) are mounted on either side of the securing elements (5), a first panel (3) here engages behind a first securing edge (36) of each securing element (5) and a second panel (3) engages behind a second securing edge (37) of each securing element (5). When a single panel (3) is mounted with the securing elements (5), this panel (3) engages behind one of the two securing edges (36, 37). After fixing the securing elements (5) to the support profiles (4, 25, 26, 27), wherein the panels (3) are thus secured, closing profiles (6) may be click-fastened to the securing elements (5).

[0115] Edges where standard profiles (28) are situated may be finished with mastic.

[0116] To compensate for different thicknesses of walls (3), the core (14) of the first depicted embodiment of the securing element (5) is made of elastic legs (30). Instead of allowing the elements (30) of these legs to deform elastically relative to one another, they may for example alternatively also be attached by hinges. The complete core (14) may also be made of elastically compressible material. The support profile fixing part (15) and the closing profile fixing part may also be connected to one another by means of a spring.

[0117] The securing element (5) is furthermore provided with a screw hole (23) in which a screw (24) may be inserted. As shown in FIGS. 12-13, by means of this screw (24), the support profile fixing part (15) and the closing profile fixing part (16) may be moved towards one another or away from one another in order thus to adjust the intermediate distance (T) between the support profile (4, 25, 26, 27) and the closing profile (6).

[0118] In the second depicted embodiment of the securing element (5), the securing element (5) is provided with a plurality of engagement edges (9) which are designed for stepped engagement behind retention edges (8) of the support profile (4). In FIG. 27, the retention edges (8) are evenly distributed between the engagement edges (9) of the securing element (5), which are arranged in a stepped pattern, so as to allow thicker panels (3) to be placed between the support profile (4) and the closing profile (6).

[0119] In order to be able to place even thicker panels (3) between the support profile (4) and the closing profile (6), it is possible to arrange the securing element (5) less deeply in the attachment groove (13) so that only one of the engagement edges (9) engages behind a retention edge (8) of the support profile (4).

[0120] In FIGS. 28 and 29, the securing element (5) is maximally inserted in the attachment groove (13) and, again, several engagement edges (9) of the securing element (5) engage behind corresponding retention edges (8) of the support profile (4) so that thinner panels (3) can be placed between the support profile (4) and the closing profile (6).

[0121] In FIG. 28, the panels (3) are slightly thicker than in FIG. 29. In FIG. 28, the seals (11) are for this compressed further than in FIG. 29.

[0122] In this way, the intermediate distance (T) between the support profile (4) and the closing profile (6) can be adapted by arranging the securing element (5) to varying depths in the attachment groove (13), with more or fewer engagement edges (9) engaging behind corresponding retention edges (8), and by compressing the seals (11) to a greater or lesser extent.

[0123] In the third depicted embodiment of the securing element (5), the core (14) comprises a first core part (33) and a second core part (34). The first core part (33) is here provided on the closing profile fixing part (16), and the second core part (34) is provided on the support profile fixing part (15). Alternatively, the first core part (33) may also be provided on the support profile fixing part (15), and the second core part (34) on the closing profile fixing part (16).

[0124] The first core part (33) is provided with a click-in element (33) with several click edges (35), and a second core part (34) is provided with a corresponding click edge (32) for a said click edge (35) to engage behind for implementing a click connection to form the core (14).

[0125] By click-fastening more or fewer click edges (35) of the click-in element (31) of the first core part (33) behind the click edge (32) of the second core part (34), the intermediate distance (T) between the support profile (4) and the closing profile (6) can be adjusted.

[0126] To attach the first core part (33) and the second core part (34) together more rigidly, in addition a screw (24) may be inserted in a screw hole (23) provided for this purpose in both core parts (33, 34).