SURFACE COATING AND CLAMP FOR SAID COATING

Abstract

Covering comprising a structure formed by a plurality of panels provided on their lower face with at least one guide formed by a groove giving access to a cavity and longitudinal profiles perpendicular to said grooves on the panels, said profiles having, in turn, a guide and clips housed simultaneously in the cavities of both guides of the panel and the profile, the clips having a resilient body that is housed, in the expanded position, in the corresponding cavity, said body comprising at least two legs, each leg having, in turn, a shoulder area intended to make contact with the wall of the cavity immediately adjacent to the groove.

Claims

1. Covering comprising a structure formed by a plurality of panels provided on their lower face with at least one guide formed by a groove giving access to a cavity with larger dimensions, in cross section, than the opening corresponding to the groove, and longitudinal profiles perpendicular to said grooves on the panels, said profiles having, in turn, a guide formed by a groove giving access to a cavity with larger dimensions, in cross section, than the groove, there being, in the areas of intersection between the guides of the panels and the guides of the profiles, clips housed simultaneously in the cavities in both guides of the panel and the profile, the clips having a thickened head intended to be introduced into one of the cavities, and a resilient body, the resilience of which causes it to adopt a first compressed position in which it can pass transversely through the groove corresponding to the guide in which the head is not housed, and which, in the expanded position, is housed in the cavity corresponding to the guide in which the head is not housed, said body comprising at least two legs, each leg having, in turn, a shoulder area intended to make contact with the wall of the cavity immediately adjacent to the groove, characterised in that at least one of the clips also makes contact with the wall opposite said walls adjacent to the groove, such that the clip is compressed resiliently inside the cavity, in a second compressed position distinct from said first compressed position.

2. Covering according to claim 1, characterised in that each of the legs is formed by a shoulder area that continues into an appendage, the free end of which points towards the central axis of the clip.

3. Covering according to claim 2, characterised in that the free appendage is curved.

4. Covering according to claim 1, characterised in that the head of the clip is a flat area that has protrusions in its free area in order to make contact with the wall opposite the groove of the cavity into which it is introduced.

5-6. (canceled)

7. Covering according to claim 1, characterised in that the panels have, on at least one of the edges, at least one separating protrusion that does not run along the whole of the edge and that separates said panel from the adjacent panel.

8. Covering according to claim 7, characterised in that said separating protrusion is located on an edge parallel to the guides of the panel.

9. Covering according to claim 7, characterised in that said separating protrusion or protrusions are located on a single edge of the panel.

10. Covering according to claim 7, characterised in that the panel has more than one separating protrusion on the edge or edges on which it has protrusions.

11. Covering according to claim 7, characterised in that the separating protrusion has a prismatic or cylindrical shape.

12. Covering according to claim 7, characterised in that the separating protrusion is introduced into a recess formed on the edge of the panel.

13. Covering according to claim 7, characterised in that the edges of the panels that have the separating protrusion or protrusions additionally have recesses and protrusions that fit together with recesses and protrusions of the opposite edge of the adjacent panel, such that the separating protrusion or protrusions are not visible from outside.

14. Covering according to claim 13, characterised in that the edge with the separating protrusion has a recess that runs longitudinally along the whole edge, the separating protrusion having a length equal to or less than that of the recess, such that the separating protrusion does not project from the recess.

15. (canceled)

16. Clip for a covering according to claim 1, characterised in that it has a thickened head intended to be introduced into one of the cavities, and a resilient body, the resilience of which causes it to adopt a first compressed position in which it can pass transversely through the groove corresponding to the guide in which the head is not housed, and which is housed, in the expanded position, in the cavity corresponding to the guide in which the head is not housed, said body comprising at least two legs, each leg having, in turn, a shoulder are intended to make contact with the wall of the cavity immediately adjacent to the groove.

17. Clip according to claim 16, characterised in that the shoulder area continues into an appendage, the free end of which points towards the central axis of the clip.

18. Clip according to claim 17, characterised in that the free appendage is curved.

19. Clip according to claim 16, characterised in that the head of the clip is a flat area that has protrusions in its free area in order to make contact with the wall opposite the groove in the cavity into which it is introduced.

20-30. (canceled)

Description

[0043] For better understanding, drawings of an embodiment of the surface covering of the present invention are attached by way of explanatory but not restrictive example.

[0044] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a covering according to the present invention, with a partial section of a panel showing the fixing.

[0045] FIG. 2 is a detailed diagrammatic view showing, in partial section, a panel on top of two profiles.

[0046] FIG. 3 shows a variant of FIG. 2 in which the panel has an edge with a different shape.

[0047] FIG. 4 shows another variant of FIG. 2.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a perspective view seen from below, showing the guides of the panel.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a clip according to the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 7 is a view in cross section showing the positioning and functioning of a clip, located simultaneously in the guide of a panel and in the guide of a profile transverse thereto.

[0051] FIG. 8 is a view in cross section similar to that in FIG. 7 in which another type of profile has been used.

[0052] FIG. 9 is a perspective view in partial cross section, showing a method of joining consecutive profiles as shown in FIG. 8.

[0053] FIG. 10 shows the part for joining profiles in FIG. 9.

[0054] FIG. 11 is a cross section of the part in FIG. 10.

[0055] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a covering according to the present invention, with a partial section of a panel showing the fixing.

[0056] FIG. 13 is a detailed diagrammatic view of the second example showing a panel in partial section on top of two profiles.

[0057] FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of the covering of the example in FIG. 12.

[0058] FIG. 15 corresponds to a front elevation view of the detail in FIG. 13.

[0059] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the second example seen from below, showing the guides of the panel.

[0060] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing diagrammatically a method of positioning a panel of the covering in FIG. 12.

[0061] FIG. 1 shows a covering composed of a plurality of panels -1- that rest on elongated profiles -2-, which can be joined by means of clips -3-.

[0062] The clips are located simultaneously on guides -11- located on the unseen face of the panels -1-, and inside guides -21- of the profiles -2-.

[0063] In the examples in FIGS. 1 to 7, the panels -1- have edges in contact with each other. The shape of the edges can vary. For example, the edges can be flat. Similarly, each panel has two guides -11-, each positioned on a side running longitudinally along the panel. The edges of the panels -1- could also have protrusions and recesses that fit together, forming a tongue and groove. Where there are protrusions and recesses that fit together, each panel can have a single guide -11-. Naturally, large panels can have a larger number of guides. As shown in FIG. 5, the guides -11- are formed by a cavity -112- that is accessed via a groove -111- with smaller dimensions than those of the cavity. In the example shown, the cavity -112- in the panel -1- is rectangular, so that the guides -11- have a generally T-shaped cross section.

[0064] The guides -21- of the profiles -2- run longitudinally along the profiles -2-, being positioned perpendicularly to the guides -11- of the panels -1-. Similarly, the guides -21- are formed by a cavity -212- which, in cross section, has larger dimensions than the groove -211- via which it is accessed.

[0065] At the crossing or intersection points between the guides -11- of the panels -1- and the guides -21- of the profiles -2- there are clips introduced into the cavities -112-, -212- corresponding to the guides -11-, -21- which cross over each other, fastening the panels -1- to the structure that they hide. This arrangement has the advantage that the covering is fastened to the structure, but without fixed, immovable points, so the panels permit movements in the directions defined by the guides -11-, -21-. Said movements can be produced by expansion or contraction of the panels because of heat or cold, or to temperature differences between the various parts of the covering. Or else because of changes in ambient humidity, in the case of materials that absorb moisture, such as plastics together with wood or derivatives, or types of wood.

[0066] As can be seen in FIG. 6, the example shown of a clip -3- of the present invention is formed by a flat, square head -31-, from which two protrusions project, in the form of ribs -311-, -311-, the function of which is to ensure contact with the wall of the cavity -112- in the guide -11- of the panel -1- opposite the groove -111- giving access to said cavity. The aim of making contact is that of collaborating in compressing the resilient components of the clip along an axis that is simultaneously perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the guides -11- of the panels -1- and the guides -21- of the profiles -2-, which are in turn perpendicular to each other. However, doing this by means of ribs has the advantage of not unduly increasing the friction between the clip -3- and the panel -1-, which is desirable both for the installation operations and for any movements to be absorbed subsequently by the covering, once installed.

[0067] The heads of the clips can be rectangular, one of their sides being smaller in dimensions than the groove -111- giving access to the cavity -112- in the guides of the panels, and this allows them to be introduced at any point on the guides -11- which, as has already been mentioned, run along the whole panel -1-.

[0068] Once in position, the clip can be rotated on itself so as to cause it to be fixed by dimensional interference with the guide -11-, taking advantage, for this purpose, of the fact that the head -31- of the clip -3- has a rectangular shape, i.e. the head -31- of the guide has one side with smaller dimensions than the corresponding width of the guide -11- and another side with equal or slightly greater dimensions, such that the clip can be rotated in the guide -11- and adjusted by tightening.

[0069] Once positioned and fixed in position, the clips can be introduced by means of a vertical movement into the guides -21- of the profiles.

[0070] On making said movement the parts of the clips are initially deformed and then expand again inside, producing internally an expansion force that prevents the vertical movement of the panel, for example, due to footsteps, etc., but at the same time allows the panels to move along the grooves in the guides. The clips, in turn, allow the panels to be removed when a sufficiently great extraction force is made in the vertical direction. Other methods of introducing the clips are also possible.

[0071] Two legs -32-, -32- emerge from the head -31- of the clip -3-, said legs being flat and parallel to each other in the example shown, and forming the resilient portion of the clip -3-. Each leg -32-, -32- has an initial straight part followed by a shoulder area -321- defined between two curves -323-, -322-, and finally an appendage -325- finishing in a free end. The appendage -325- of the example has a curved shape and its free end points towards the centre of the clip. The ends of the two legs -32-, -32- can have their free ends facing each other, but leaving a small separation space. In the example shown a free end of one of the legs -32- of said free ends facing each other is situated above or below the free end of the opposite leg -32-.

[0072] The clip -3- is made of flexible material, preferably a thermoplastic, which permits the elastic deformation of the legs -32-, -32-. Other materials are also possible.

[0073] The legs -32-, -32- in the vicinity of the head -31- are situated at a distance from each other such that they can penetrate the grooves in the guides into which they are inserted, preferably without the need for deformation.

[0074] In the example shown in FIG. 7, in order to be installed in the guide -21- of a profile, the clip -3- must be deformed elastically, a force being exerted on the shoulder area -321- to bring together the curved extensions -323-, -322- of each of the legs -32-, 32--. The legs can thereby penetrate the groove -211-. Once in the cavity -212-, the legs -32-, -32- can expand freely in the direction perpendicular to the introduction direction and the shoulder -321- recovers its original position. Simultaneously, the free ends of the legs come into contact with the wall of the cavity -212- opposite the groove -211-, being deformed and transmitting a force in both directions marked with the double arrow -F-, which keeps the shoulders -321- in contact, between each other, with the wall -215- immediately adjacent to the groove -211-. In this position, therefore, the clip -3- has a second deformed state, different from the deformed state induced during introduction. Likewise, the clip -3- is secured by dimensional interference between the shoulders and the walls of the guide in a plane perpendicular to the direction of introduction of the clip. In an ancillary manner, in the example shown, the clip has a shape such that it exerts, by deformation within the cavity, a force perpendicular to the contact surface of the shoulders with the walls of the cavity, which secures the position of the clip even more. However, movements of the panels -1- in the directions defined by the guides of the profiles -3- and the guides of the panels -2- are permitted.

[0075] FIG. 8 corresponds to FIG. 7 in which a different profile -2- has been used.

[0076] In FIG. 8 the components that are the same as or similar to those in FIG. 7 have been labelled with the same numerals as in said figure and will not, therefore, be described in detail.

[0077] As can be seen, FIG. 8 shows the use of a different profile -2-. In this case, it can be seen that the cavity -212- has a recess -216- in the wall of the cavity opposite the groove -211-. This cavity can accommodate the appendages -325- of the legs of the clip -3-. This is favourable to the correct operation of the assembly.

[0078] The profile can vary from that shown in the figures, and can be a profile that can be used for different types of clips.

[0079] The figure also shows how in this case just one of the legs makes contact with the wall opposite said walls adjacent to the groove. As is the case in FIG. 7, this means that the clip can be compressed in a second compressed position.

[0080] FIGS. 9 to 11 show a possible embodiment of a joint between consecutive profiles -2-, -2- by means of parts -1000- having two cavities -1002, -1003- accessible from either end and separated by a partition -1005-.

[0081] As can be seen, the parts -1000- are introduced into the intermediate void -23-.

[0082] The part -1000- also has, in its middle area, a peripheral flange -1001- acting as a stop with the profiles -2-, -2-, favouring the correct positioning of the joint.

[0083] FIGS. 12 to 17 show a covering composed of a plurality of panels -1- that rest on elongated profiles -2-, which can be joined by means of clips -3-.

[0084] In FIGS. 12 to 17 the components that are the same as or similar to those in FIGS. 1 to 11 have been labelled with the same numerals.

[0085] The clips are located simultaneously on guides -11- located on the unseen face of the panels -1-, and inside guides -21- for the profiles -2-.

[0086] Each panel -1- has two guides -11-, each positioned on one side running longitudinally along the panel. The edges of the panels -1- that are parallel to the guides -11- have protrusions -41-, -44- and recesses -43-, -42- that fit together with the edge of the adjacent panel, which they face. These recesses and protrusions run longitudinally along the whole edge. The set of recesses and protrusions in the case shown corresponds to a tongue-and-groove arrangement, although in this case the tongue-and-groove arrangement is not actually formed, since there is a distance between the panels. Other configurations of recesses and protrusions, different from tongue and groove, are also possible. In this case it is especially preferable for the panel to have at least two parallel guides -11- arranged symmetrically. This ensures that the fastening is equally strong on both edges parallel to the guides -11-. This can be important in some cases owing to the fact that the edge are neither fixed nor have their movements limited by being fully in contact with the surface of the edge of the adjacent panel. Naturally, large panels can have a larger number of guides.

[0087] The separating protrusions -49- are located in the lower recesses -43- of the panels. These separating protrusions are intermittent and do not run along the whole edge. In this case the separating protrusion is a cylindrical part that is introduced into a special housing located in the lower recess -43-. The separating protrusion -49- has a length equal to or, preferably, slightly less than the depth of the recess -43-. In this way the separating protrusion -49- does not project out from the perimeter of the panel and, in particular, does not project beyond the upper protrusion -41- corresponding to the portion of the edge that does not have the recess -43-. This means that the separating protrusion cannot be seen from outside the covering. The corresponding edge of the adjacent panel has a matching recess -42- and a matching protrusion -44- that fit together with the protrusion -41- and the recess -43- of the adjacent panel. In particular, the recesses and protrusions -41-, -43- of one panel correspond to the reverse of the recesses and protrusions -44-, -42- of the other panel. In this way the edges of the panels do not touch, and air or water can pass through. If the separating protrusions -49- were to run along the whole edge this effect would not be possible. Naturally, other configurations are possible. Taking FIG. 14 as a starting point, for example, a separating protrusion could be made rather shorter, at the expense of the protrusion -44- (and/or the recess -42-) being rather more marked.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 16, the guides -11- and -21- have a similar structure to the guides -11- and -21- of the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 7.

[0089] As can be seen in FIG. 17, the clip -3- shown is also similar to that of the examples in FIGS. 1 to 11, and will therefore not be explained in detail.

[0090] The clips -3- can be located in the guides of the panels and then the panel can be installed by press-fitting the clips into the guides of the profiles, deforming the legs of the clips by means of the vertical movement shown in FIG. 17.

[0091] Other introduction methods are also possible.

[0092] The embodiments shown in the figures also constitute an illustration of the second aspect of the present invention disclosed in the introduction.

[0093] The present invention is applicable to both horizontal surfaces (ceilings, walls) and vertical ones (walls).

[0094] The present invention is suitable for panels made of all kinds of materials.

[0095] Although in the embodiment shown the heads of the clips are located in the guides of the panels, which is preferable in certain applications, an inverse embodiment with the heads of the clips introduced into the guides of the profiles would also be possible. For this, the panels will have to have a greater thickness so that there is space to receive the legs of the clips.

[0096] The person skilled in the art will notice the numerous advantages and characteristics derived from the present invention.

[0097] The lodging of the clips within the grooves present in the batten and the slat allows the batten to displace the covering in both horizontal directions perpendicular to each other, which allows all the tensions released by the composite, wood or other materials to be absorbed in both dimensional directions.

[0098] The invention makes it possible to dismantle and subsequently install any slat at any point in the installation using the same pre-existing components, slats and clips.

[0099] The present invention is compatible with a hidden fastening system since it does not require gaps between slats for dismantling.

[0100] The present invention allows the clip to be introduced quickly and easily into the slat and clipped into the batten (time-saving since no screws are required).

[0101] Since the components of the present invention are not fixed together completely immovably (the components are simply dovetailed together), they absorb the natural expansion movements of the composite, wood or any other material in both dimensional directions.

[0102] After dismantling a row of panels or soffit boards the rest of the slats or panels can be slid over the groove in the profiles with no need to be dismantled, and the slat or slats removed can be replaced in the remaining gap at any other point of the surface removed. This system gives access to the installations hidden below the floor or behind the wall or ceiling that covers them, making it easy to repair any damage. Any slat or panel containing lighting components or any other mechanisms can be relocated at any point on the ceiling, wall or floor, by interchanging it for another slat or soffit board where there are no couplings allowing great decorative versatility for the premises.

[0103] The components making up the installation can be dismantled, refurbished in a workshop and then re-installed in their locations, thus avoiding the burdensome task of refurbishing them in situ and, at the same time, recovering the initial quality because of the ease of refurbishment in a workshop or factory. Also avoided is the environmental attack involved in refurbishment at home, where there are no means for cleansing and filtering waste products.

[0104] Although the invention has been described in relation to preferred embodiments, these should not be considered to restrict the invention, which is to be defined by the broadest interpretation of the following claims.