Structural profiled section in particular for partition

[00002] The present invention relates to a metal profiled section intended in particular for making uprights supporting partitions.

[00003] Numerous types of metal profiled sections are known which, by various operations of metal fitting work and by an appropriate arrangement, make it possible to produce partitions adapted to constitute easily modulatable premises such as in particular offices.

[00004] A first drawback of the profiled sections of the prior state of the art is that, in order to make simple premises, one is obliged to resort to a large diversity of profiled sections of specific shapes, which obliges the user to have a large stock of all the necessary profiled sections, insofar as the lack of a model has the effect of stopping the whole of the production.

[00005] A second drawback is that the user, in order to ensure assembly of these profiled sections, is obliged to make veritable metal fitting operations such as milling work or bevel cutting. Under these conditions, it is understood that such operations of installation are long and complex and require the services of qualified staff. It is also understood that it is particularly difficult to ensure, in the factory, the prefabrication of the different elements.

[00006] U.S. Pat. No. 3,998,027 has proposed a profiled section of which the cross-section is formed by two parts in the form of a U, each intended to receive a partition element, of which the inner branches are joined in their upper part by a junction wall. Such a profiled section, apart from the fact that it does not allow an easy connection with other profiled sections from its junction element, due to the distance of these latter from the base of the profiled section, does not allow an easy association either, by reason of the positioning of this wall.

[00007] It is an object of the present invention to overcome these various drawbacks by proposing a novel type of metal profiled section which is able, particularly by combining it with one or more other identical profiled sections, to constitute virtually all the different essential sectioned elements which are necessary for constructing premises.

[00008] The present invention thus has for its object a structural profiled section, in particular for partitions, of which the cross-section comprises two parallel U-shaped parts, designed to receive partition panels, characterized in that the inner branches of the U-shaped parts are joined by a transverse junction element arranged at a short distance from their respective bases.

[00009] The height of the outer branches of the U-shaped parts will preferably be greater than that of the inner branches, the difference in height being substantially equal to the thickness of the profiled section, which will make it possible to arrange a planar cover closing the opening of the central branch of the profiled section and to have in the same plane the plane of the cover and the ends of the outer branches of the profiled sections with U-shaped cross-section.

[00010] In a form of embodiment of the invention, the total width of the profiled section will be equal to double the height of its outer branches.

[00011] Furthermore, in a particularly interesting form of embodiment of the invention, the distance between the two flanges of each of the two parts with U-shaped cross-section will be equal to the thickness of the partition panels and the length of the transverse junction element is equal to the space which it is desired to provide between the two partition panels.

[00012] This profiled section may be combined with itself to constitute in particular vertical uprights constituting junctions of a plurality of partitions, but it may also be used in combination with a complementary profiled section matching it, of which the cross-section comprises at least a U-shaped part, the width of its base being substantially equal to the space separating the two inner branches of the U-shaped parts of the basic profiled section. This complementary profiled section comprises on each of the sides forming the branches of the U, two parallel and longitudinal flanges of which the height is equal to the distance of the two U-shaped parts of the basic profiled section. In a variant, the upper parts of the two U-shaped branches of the complementary profiled section are joined by an element parallel to the base of this profiled section.

[00013] Connection of the first and second profiled sections is ensured in simple manner by means of U or square bracket fixation elements which are screwed therein. As a result, in order to effect a complete implementation of a partition supporting structure, the user will only need sawing, boring and self-tapping screwing means. In order to facilitate the positioning of the structure as best possible for the user, each of the profiled section elements, whether it be question of a principal profiled section or a complementary profiled section, may be cut out to measure in the factory.

[00014] Angular elements prefabricated in the factory, composed of an association of two profiled sections, might even be made.

[00015] The present invention thus also has for an object an angular element characterized in that it is constituted by the association of two profiled section elements of which at least one is a profiled section element according to the invention with an identical profiled section or a complementary profiled section.

[00016] The profiled sections according to the invention may be associated to form vertical uprights and in particular multi-direction vertical uprights.

[00017] The present invention thus also has for an object a partition structure upright of the type comprising the association of at least two profiled sections of which the cross-section comprises two U-shaped parts intended to receive partition panels, which are joined in a zone slightly distant from their bases by a planar part. The upright will preferably comprise two profiled sections which will be joined by the base of the elements of which the cross-section is U-shaped and which constitutes a composite profiled section. In a form of embodiment of the invention, the upright will comprise two additional profiled sections of which the bases of the elements of U-shaped cross-section will be fixed on the outer sides of the U-shaped elements of the composite profiled section.

[00032] FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of a profiled section 1 according to the invention obtained in particular by extrusion. Such a profiled section comprises two U-shaped parts 3 which are parallel and which are joined at a distance a from their respective bases 3c by a planar part 5. In FIG. 1, the profiled section 1 is shown in horizontal section, so that it constitutes a vertical upright which is in abutment by its two bases 3c against a vertical wall 7. The interior of the two U-shaped parts 3 presents a width e equal to that of the wall panels 9 that they are intended to receive. Furthermore, the distance l separating the two inner branches 3b of the parts 3 with U-shaped cross-section is equal to the distance between panels desired for the wall thus produced. This width 1 corresponds for example to the thickness of the heat- and/or sound-insulation means which it is desired to arrange between these panels 9.

[00033] As will be set forth hereinbelow, the height h of the outer (3a) and inner (3b) branches of the U-shaped parts 3 will preferably be equal to half the width L of the profiled section 1.

[00034] Such a profiled section is particularly interesting in that, by reason of the considerable height of the branches 3a and 3b, it makes it possible to compensate for the non-perpendicularity of a floor and of a wall on which such profiled sections are applied. Furthermore, the profiled section coming into abutment on the wall 7, solely on two vertical zones corresponding to its base 3c, it will be understood that this profiled section occupies a stable position on the wall even if, as shown in FIG. 1, the latter presents irregularities between the two bases 3c.

[00035] Such a profiled section is also interesting insofar as it may be used both, as shown in FIG. 1, for constituting the vertical uprights of a frame for holding partition panels 9, and, as shown in FIG. 3, for making a plinth, i.e. a lower part of such a frame, or the upper part thereof. Such a profiled section has thus been used in FIG. 3 for making a plinth, i.e., in this Figure, the two bases 3c of the profiled section 1 are in abutment on a floor 13. The profiled section 1 ensures hold of two glass walls 14 which are positioned in the recess of U-shaped cross-section.

[00036] The profiled section 1 is also interesting in that it makes it possible to fix, in the volume 10 included between the two U-shaped parts 3, any hooking or separation device coming to be fixed on the planar element 5. The offset (of height a) of this planar element with respect to the bases 3c makes it possible, in effect, to employ systems of fixation, constituted for example by “pop” rivets or by screws, which can traverse the wall 5 without abutting against the plan (floor or wall) on which the profiled section is disposed, which would have the effect of disturbing correct abutment thereof.

[00037] As shown in FIG. 2, the profiled section 1 or, more precisely the volume 10, may be closed by an obturator 15 whose cross-section is U-shaped and whose branches abut against the inner branches 3b of the parts 3. To that end, the inner branches 3b will be shorter than the outer branches 3a so that, once the obturator 15 is in position, the upper plan P thereof is in line with the upper part of the outer branches 3a, as shown in FIG. 3. The fixation of the obturator 15 may be ensured by the cooperation of ribs 16 provided on the profiled section 1 and of ribs 17 provided on the obturator 15. The closure of the inner volume 10 of the profiled section 1 gives the latter, on the other hand, advantages from the aesthetic standpoint when the partitions 14 are constituted by a transparent material, and also gives functional advantages of safety insofar as this closure makes it possible to reserve a volume for the passage of fixation elements and/or electrical cables or various conduits.

[00038] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the profiled section according to the invention may be easily assembled in an angle with the aid of simple fixation means requiring only operations of sawing and of boring/screwing. In these Figures, a first profiled section 1a is in abutment on the floor 13 and thus constitutes a plinth and the second profiled section 1b is in abutment against a wall 7. The profiled section 1b is cut along its cross-section and is fixed on the profiled section 1a by means of a square bracket 30 of which the horizontal branch is screwed on the planar part 5a of the profiled section 1a and the vertical branch is fixed on the planar part 5b of the second profiled section 1b. Such a mode of fixation may be effected either by POP rivets or, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, by screws of which the ends will have the possibility of projecting in the space provided between the respective bases 3c of the profiled sections and the respective planar parts thereof. Such a mode of fixation in order to be simple is nonetheless aesthetic insofar as, once the obturator element 15 is placed in position, the fixation means are totally masked. The possibility of a fixation which is both simple and aesthetic results, as mentioned hereinabove, from the offset existing between the planar part 5 and the bases 3b of the profiled section.

[00039] The profiled section according to the invention may be used not only for constituting the vertical and horizontal uprights of a frame intended to hold partition panels, but also to make junctions, or crossings of various partitions, as shown in FIG. 4.

[00040] The latter shows an arrangement of a plurality of identical profiled sections 1 according to the invention making it possible to create a meeting point of four partitions 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d each constituted by two outer panels 18 and an insulating inner wall 20.

[00041] To make such a junction of walls, two profiled sections 1a and 1b according to the invention were, in a first step, associated in specific manner. Two of these profiled sections were thus disposed transversely so that their bases 3c are applied against each other by fixation means such as in particular by screws or “pop” rivets 19. A new composite profiled section is thus obtained, whose cross-section is inscribed in a square whose side is equal to 2h. On this composite profiled section thus obtained, two other profiled sections according to the invention 1c and 1d were, in a second step, fixed so that, as shown in FIG. 4, the bases 3c of these two other profiled sections 1c and 1d are applied against the outer branches 3a of the composite profiled section. Fixation is ensured by screws 21 which are introduced from the inner volume 10 of the profiled sections 1c and 1d in the planar parts 5c and 5d of these profiled sections and in the outer walls 3a of U-shaped cross-section of the composite profiled section and which are screwed in the outer branches of the U-shaped parts.

[00042] It is ascertained that the association of four profiled sections 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d enables a central and vertical assembly to be constituted, making it possible to effect the junction of four partitions.

[00043] As shown in FIG. 5, the profiled section 1 according to the invention is also interesting in that it may be centered rapidly with respect to an upright, particularly a vertical upright 23 by means of a shim 25 which is fixed on the upright 23 or which may be a boss thereof.

[00044] The profiled section 1 according to the present invention is also interesting in that it makes it possible to receive, once the structure is positioned, a stiffening element 27, constituted by a steel tube of rectangular cross-section of which the width corresponding to that existing between the inner walls of the profiled sections of U-shaped cross-section.

[00045] This stiffening element 27 has the effect, on the one hand, of improving all the mechanical characteristics of the profiled section, such as in particular its resistance to compression and to bending and, on the other hand, the fire-resistance of the structure. It may thus be used for easily and rapidly transforming normal partitions into fire-resistant partitions. It is thus particularly interesting when it is adapted to arrangements of partitions as well as those shown in FIG. 4.

[00046] In the prior state of the art, stiffening elements of this type have, of course, been used, but such elements were introduced by sliding in the tubes to be reinforced from one end thereof, which involved positioning them before the installation of the structure, so that it was in that case not possible to arrange them on a structure already in place which, upon use, proved to present too low a resistance.

[00047] The profiled section 1 according to the invention may be used in particular with a profiled section of complementary shape allowing other combinations. This complementary profiled section 40 is shown in FIGS. 12 and 8 to 10. This profiled section 40 has a cross-section in the form of a U whose lateral branches 40a are each provided with two small perpendicular flanges 40b. The distance of the inner faces of the branches 40a is equal to the distance l of the inner faces of the branches 3b of the principal profiled section 1 and the height of the flanges 40b is equal to the distance e of the branches 3b of this principal profiled section. It will thus be understood that the opening of the complementary profiled section 40 may be closed by the same obturator 15 as that used for the principal profiled section 1.

[00048] FIGS. 8 to 10 show an arrangement of this complementary profiled section 40 with a principal profiled section 1 in which the latter forms a plinth in abutment on the floor 13 and the complementary profiled section 40 forms a vertical upright in abutment against a wall 7.

[00049] The combination of these two profiled sections is interesting insofar as, as previously, their assembly is effected from cut-outs at right angles and they are held by a simple U, particularly of bent sheet metal 42. As shown in the Figures, the base 42a of the U is fixed on the planar part 5 of the principal profiled section 1 and the complementary profiled section 40 is fixed on the branches 42b of the U from its walls included between the two flanges 40b. In this way, when an obturator 44 closes the space included between its two flanges 40b, the fixation means, particularly screws 46, will be masked.

[00050] FIG. 11 shows an association of a basic profiled section 1 according to the invention with a first complementary profiled section 40 used as horizontal upright and a second complementary profiled section 50 which, as shown in FIG. 13, is a complementary profiled section 40 of which the ends of the U-shaped branches have been joined by an element parallel to its base so as to form a rectangular cross-section.

[00051] Such an association of profiled sections is particularly interesting insofar as it makes it possible to arrange between the complementary profiled section 40 and the basic profiled section 1 any means appropriate for producing a specific partition.

[00052] In such a form of embodiment of the invention, the complementary profiled section 50 is fixed on the basic profiled section 1 by means of a U-shaped element of the type used in FIG. 10. In this form of embodiment, the fixation of the profiled section 40 on the profiled section 50 is likewise effected by a U-shaped element 53 of which the base 52 is fixed by screwing in the wall of the profiled section 50. The complementary profiled section 40 is fixed on the U-shaped element 53 by screws 55 which are screwed in the flanges 56 thereof

[00053] In order to facilitate positioning of the structure as best possible for the user, each of the profiled section elements, whether it be question of a principal profiled section or of a complementary profiled section, may be cut out to the desired size in the factory.

[00054] In a form of embodiment of the invention, angular elements may be produced in the factory, composed of an association of two principal profiled sections as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 or of a principal profiled section and a secondary profiled section as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10. These angular elements will have a short length and will be intended to be combined with rectilinear elements, their practical interest being to avoid the installer having to make right-angled connections of profiled sections on the site.