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 a deck, said system comprising: a slat having a slat longitudinal axis; a support having a channel, said support having a support longitudinal axis and an upper surface, said channel being positioned on said upper surface, said channel being perpendicular to said slat; a fastener removably engaged to said slat and slideably engaged on said support, said fastener being slideable along said support longitudinal axis perpendicular to said slat longitudinal axis of said slat; a removable securing means for said fastener to said support and said channel; and a positioning means for said fastener along said channel and said support longitudinal axis, wherein said channel is comprised of two lateral guideways, wherein said fastener is comprised of a soleplate and at least two tabs, each tab having a downward end protruding downward from said soleplate and a hook at said downward end, and wherein said positioning means comprises said two lateral guideways in removable snap fit engagement with said at least two tabs, each hook clipping in a respective lateral guideway when said soleplate rests on said upper surface of said support.

2. The system for a deck, according to claim 1, wherein said soleplate has rectangular openings and comprises crosspieces connecting edges of said rectangular openings, said crosspieces being aligned along said support longitudinal axis with said channel, each tab extending from a respective crosspiece.

3. The system for a deck, according to claim 2, wherein each tab has a face opposite a respective hook on said downward end, each tab being comprised of a fin protruding from said soleplate, said fin having a protruding channel so as to form said respective hook and a lower channel so as to form a rectangular cutout.

4. The system for a deck, according to claim 1, wherein said channel is further comprised of two side grooves on each side of said removable securing means, each side groove having a corresponding positioning hole, wherein said fastener is further comprised of at least two studs, each stud protruding downward from said soleplate, and wherein said positioning means further comprises said at least two studs removably inserted in two respective positioning holes.

5. The system for a deck, according to claim 4, wherein each stud is connected by a tongue to a first edge of an opening of said soleplate, each tongue extending from a respective first edge parallel to said support longitudinal axis and being proximal to a transverse median plane of said fastener, each stud being placed near a second edge of a respective opening, said second edge being perpendicular to a corresponding first edge.

6. The system for a deck, according to claim 3, wherein said channel further comprises a planar central rail between said two lateral guideways, said planar central rail being an upper channel surface of said channel, said upper channel surface facing said fastener, and two lateral planar portions placed at a distance from said upper channel surface so as to form each lateral guideway, said distance aligning each lateral guideway with a respective tab and fin.

7. The system for a deck, according to claim 1, further comprising a cover attached to said channel in a transverse direction, said cover being positioned over vertical support faces of said support.

8. The system for a deck, according to claim 6, wherein said channel further comprises a central axial groove with a rectangular section in said upper channel surface of said planar central rail, said central axial groove being comprised of opposite vertical walls, each opposite vertical wall having a linear threading oriented parallel to said upper channel surface.

9. The system for a deck, according to claim 4, wherein said channel further comprises a planar central rail between said two lateral guideways, said planar central rail being an upper channel surface of said channel, said upper channel surface facing said fastener and two lateral planar portions placed at a distance from said upper channel surface so as to form each lateral guideway, said distance aligning each lateral guideway with a respective tab and fin, and wherein said two side grooves are on each side of said planar central rail, each side groove having a rectangular section with a width at least equal to a diameter of a respective stud, each positioning hole being comprised of an upper opening partially closed by recessed rims separated by a slot.

10. The system for a deck, according to claim 1, wherein said fastener is comprised of a through orifice centered in a transverse direction across said fastener.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be described in more detail, in reference to the appended figures.

(2) 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.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective top view of the fastener.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective bottom view of the fasteners.

(5) FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b are cross-sectional views, illustrating the fastening of a fastener on a channel.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the channel provided with fasteners, a portion of which provided without them shows their positioning orifices.

(7) FIG. 6 shows a top plan view of the limitation of the axial functional play.

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) 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.

(10) 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.

(11) 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).

(12) 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.

(13) 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).

(14) 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.

(15) 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). The central groove (18) and the screw inserted in the orifice (12) are a removable securing means for the fastener (3) to the support (20) and channel (2).

(16) 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).

(17) 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 (22, 23).

(18) Simultaneously with this clipping, the studs (13) are inserted in pre-drilled orifices (24), at regular intervals, in the grooves (19, 21), as shown in FIG. 5.

(19) 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.

(20) 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.

(21) 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.

(22) 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).

(23) 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.

(24) 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.