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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
APPARATUS FOR COVERING A WALL SURFACE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2006/024113
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The invention relates to an apparatus for covering a wall surface of an accommodation area, in particular the ceiling thereof, which apparatus comprises a group of parallel profile elements (2, 3) placed at a distance from each other and a number of tile-like panel elements of suitable material extending in each case between two profile elements and supported thereby, wherein the profile elements are provided with at least one cavity (8) in which insulation material (16) can be arranged in order to improve the acoustic insulation.

Inventors:
VAN LIERDE JAN HERMAN IDA ELIS (IT)
Application Number:
PCT/BE2004/000126
Publication Date:
March 09, 2006
Filing Date:
September 03, 2004
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
VAN LIERDE JAN HERMAN IDA ELIS (IT)
International Classes:
E04B9/06; E04B9/16; (IPC1-7): E04B9/06; E04B9/16
Foreign References:
BE1015021A52004-08-03
DE3326054A11984-06-20
US2884512A1959-04-28
US4463537A1984-08-07
DE29821295U11999-02-11
Other References:
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 018, no. 352 (M - 1631) 4 July 1994 (1994-07-04)
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Hoorweg, Petrus Nicolaas (Louiza-Marialei 8, Antwerp, BE)
Download PDF:
Description:
APPARATUS FOR COVERING A WALL SURFACE

The invention relates to an apparatus for covering a wall surface of an accommodation area, in particular the ceiling thereof, which apparatus comprises a group of parallel profile elements placed at a distance from each other and a number of tile-like panel elements of suitable material extending in each case between two profile elements and supported thereby. Such known apparatuses have the drawback that the profile elements, which are generally manufactured from metal and can enclose hollow parts, cause a poor sound transmission within the area. Furthermore, the known apparatuses generally have the drawback that the panel elements are attached using screws or glue, whereby placing and maintenance are made more difficult. In the known apparatus the panel elements often further support against each other, so that the removal of one element results in a number of adjacent elements also falling down. The invention relates to an apparatus for covering a wall surface, whereby the insulation in particular the acoustic insulation is improved. A further object of the invention is a simple construction and production process of the different, optionally multifunctional components of the apparatus, wherein this construction allows, among other things, a wide variety of panel elements in a simple manner. In order to achieve the above stated objectives, the apparatus according to the invention is distinguished in that the profile elements are provided with at least one cavity in which insulation material can be arranged in order to improve the acoustic insulation, and in particular to reduce the sound transmission and to increase the sound absorption. In this manner the profile elements can be filled with for instance acoustic materials for the purpose of improving the insulation and in particular the acoustics of the area. Since this is a profile element, such a hollow space is generally present, and it suffices to embody the profile element such that an insulating material can be easily- arranged in this hollow space. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one cavity is an elongate cavity which extends over substantially the whole length of each profile element. In this manner the profile element can be insulated over its full length by filling this cavity with insulating material. The insulating material is preferably an acoustic material such as for instance a resin or a foam. The invention is of course not limited to these materials, and any suitable material known to the skilled person can be used for this purpose. The panel element usually has a body plate which can be embodied in many different ways. In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the body plate is for instance perforated. By perforating the body plate the sound absorption is enhanced. To further enhance this effect the body plate may be implemented with an acoustic material, such as an acoustic film. This film which is for example, a non- woven textile can then be arranged against the back side of the body plate, for example. According to a possible embodiment, the panel element has a body plate with parallel longitudinal edges, wherein each longitudinal edge is provided with a flange lying transversely of the plate, and the profile element is provided with a channel for clampingly receiving one flange at a time. In this way a panel element can be arranged between the parallel profile elements by placing the flanges thereof into the channels of the profile elements, wherein no extra support by adjacent elements is necessary and no additional operations such as screwing or glueing are required. In a further embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the flange on the one longitudinal edge is higher than that on the other longitudinal edge. The body plate hereby inclines from the longitudinal edge with the higher flange to the edge with the lower flange. A wall with a sawtooth profile can for instance be formed using such panels. Such a wall has the advantage that surface details such as fingerprints are less visible, and that better acoustic properties are obtained. In the preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the flange has a local thickening in order to form a clamping means. Such thickened portions can for instance be arranged in each case at two positions on a longitudinal edge so that the flanges of the panel elements can be clamped in the channels of the profile elements. This thickened portion can be embodied such that the force required for mounting is much smaller than the force required for release. It is hereby possible to avoid unskilled persons removing panel elements from the ceiling or the wall. In a further embodiment according to the invention, the profile element is provided with two adjacently running channels, in which a flange of a panel element can be received in each case. Making use of such profile elements a whole wall can be covered in practical manner using the apparatus of the invention. The entrance of the channel is preferably narrowed in order to form clamping means, which for instance co-act with the thickened portions in the flanges. According to another possible embodiment, the panel element can be a body plate with parallel longitudinal edges, wherein a number of hook-like elements are provided substantially at the position of the longitudinal edges for suspending the panel element between two profile elements. Such a suspension is particularly suitable for suspending glass and marble panel elements in economically advantageous manner. In order to enable such a suspension, each profile element can for instance be provided with two collars which extend over the longitudinal direction of the profile element and behind which the hook-like element can be suspended. In a further embodiment the transverse edges of the body plate are also provided with a stiffening flange. These stiffening flanges provide on the one hand an extra support along the transverse edges of the panel elements. It is on the other hand hereby possible to prevent openings which may for instance result when two panel elements with a different flange height are placed against each other. In the preferred embodiment according to the invention, the profile element is provided with a channel for receiving auxiliary means such as an anchor of a suspension element, a longitudinal or transverse connecting element for the profiles or the like. The profile element can hereby be connected easily to the ceiling or to another profile element. In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention which is particularly suitable for ceilings, the profile elements are suspended from a similar group of profile elements oriented transversely thereof, which are in turn suspended from spacers. By adjusting the length of the spacers the "false ceiling" formed by the apparatus can for instance be suspended at a determined height from the "real" ceiling. According to yet another variant of the apparatus according to the invention, the group of profile elements is mounted directly below a similar group of profile elements in order to obtain a greater rigidity of this double group of profile elements. In the preferred embodiment the body plate and the flanges are manufactured integrally by folding and/or punching techniques. In this way the panel elements can be manufactured in simple manner from plate material. The profile elements are preferably also manufactured by a folding technique. The invention also relates to a profile element for use in an apparatus according to the invention. The invention will be further elucidated with reference to the figure descriptions below and the associated drawing. The apparatuses shown and described therein should in no way be deemed as limiting the invention, but must be seen as examples of possible embodiments. In the drawing: figure 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus according to the invention for covering a ceiling; figure 2 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a profile element according to the invention; figure 3 is a cross-section of the profile element according to the invention shown in figure 2; figure 4 shows a cross-section of a second embodiment of the profile element according to the invention; figure 5 shows a cross-section of a third embodiment of a profile element according to the invention; figure 6 is a perspective view showing how a suspension element can be mounted in a first profile element for transverse suspension from a second profile element; figure 7 shows a perspective detail view of the suspension element 6 of figure 1; figure 8 shows a perspective detail view of the spring element 18 of figure 1; figure 9 shows a perspective detail view of the flange on the longitudinal edge and of the stiffening flange of a first embodiment of a panel element; figure 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a panel element; figure 11 is a perspective view of two profile elements according to the invention mounted one above the other via a connecting piece; figure 12A is a perspective view of a fastening piece for fastening the profile elements of figure 11 against a wall; figure 12B shows a side view of the mounting of the profile elements in the fastening piece; figure 13 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a panel element according to the invention; figure 14A and B show a perspective view of different panel elements according to the invention; figure 15 shows a sealing element for a profile element according to the invention; figure 16 shows a perspective view of a transverse connecting element between a first profile element and a second profile element arranged transversely thereagainst; figure 17 is a perspective view of a longitudinal connecting element between a first profile element and a second profile element arranged in line therewith; figure 18 is a perspective view of a wall profile element for connecting to a wall. Figure 1 shows an apparatus for covering a ceiling P. This comprises a group of parallel profile elements 2 which are placed at a distance from each other and which are suspended from a similar group of transverse profile elements 3 which are suspended from spacers 4. Spacers 4 for instance comprise suspension rods 5, a spring element 18 and a suspension element 6 which co-acts with transverse profile elements 3. Tile-like panel elements 1 of a suitable material, which can for instance be metal, glass, wood, covered wood, marble or a combination thereof, extend in each case between two parallel profile elements 2. Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of a profile element 2, 3 according to the invention. This profile element 2, 3 is provided on the bottom with two channels 7 for clampingly receiving one flange of a panel element. Note that a panel element can also be suspended using hooks, as will be further elucidated. In that case channels 7 are not used to receive the flanges of the panel element. Profile element 1 further comprises a cavity 16, 8 in which insulating material is arranged. This is an acoustic material which has the function of reducing the sound transmission. This acoustic material can be any suitable material, such as for instance determined resins or a foam. Filling of the cavity with an insulating material can moreover take place in any appropriate manner. The cross- section of this profile element 2 is shown in figure 3. This profile element can for instance be folded from a metal plate. Figures 4 and 5 show a second and third embodiment of a profile element according to the invention in which acoustic material is arranged. The channel-like recess 8 in the upper part of profile element 2, 3 can for instance co-act with a suspension element 6 (see figure 1 and figure 8) whereby the group of upper transversely oriented profile elements 3 can be connected to suspension cables 5 or to a suspension element 19 (see figure 6) , whereby the group of lower profile elements 2 can be connected to the transverse profile elements 3. Figure 6 shows suspension element 19 in detail, which is provided on the bottom with a first anchoring part 20 with length and width dimensions substantially corresponding with those of recess 8, and with a thickness smaller than the distance between the two inward-directed longitudinal collars 17 which partially bound the upper side of recess 8 such that this anchoring part 20 can be mounted by being inserted and rotated in recess 8 of a panel element 2. Suspension element 19 is provided at the top with a second part 21 with a U- shaped cross-section. The legs of the U lie at a mutual distance which corresponds substantially with the distance between the two channels I1 such that the second part can be arranged in channels 7. Thickened portions further ensure that suspension element 19 is clamped firmly in profile element 3. These thickened portions can take the form of resilient lips 22. Suspension element 6 and spring element 18 of spacer 4 are respectively shown in detail in figures 7 and 8. Suspension element 6 is provided with a first anchoring part 23 with a form which is similar to that of first anchoring part 20 of suspension element 19 for mounting a profile element 3 in recess 8. The first anchoring part is connected to a second part 24 which is provided with an opening for a suspension rod 5 (see figure 1) . Spring element 18 is formed from a plate 25 folded into a U-shape in which openings 26 are provided for suspension rods 5. Figure 9 shows a first embodiment of a panel element 1. This element 1 has a body plate 11 which is provided on the longitudinal edges thereof with flanges 9 lying substantially perpendicularly of the plate and which is also provided with stiffening flanges 10 on the transverse edges thereof. Flange 9 is locally thickened at 13 in order to form a clamping means. When this flange 6 is arranged in the channel of a profile element 2, this thickened portion 13 snaps fixedly into channel 7 of profile element 2. The panel elements can be mounted and released in convenient manner using a key 12 suitable for this purpose. Figure 10 shows a second embodiment of a panel element 1' according to the invention. Panel element 1' has a body plate 11' with parallel longitudinal edges, wherein a hook- like element 27 is provided in each of the four corners, substantially at the position of the longitudinal edges, for the purpose of suspending the panel element between two profile elements 2. The skilled person will appreciate that a plurality of hook-like elements may also be provided and that these can have a narrower or wider form. Hook-like element 27 is formed such that it can be suspended over a collar 17 of profile element 2. Hook-like element 27 can for instance be manufactured from sheet iron which is folded, and attachment thereof to body element 11' can for instance take place in simple manner by means of a double-sided tape. Figure 11 illustrates how a profile element 2, which typically forms part of a group of profile elements, is mounted directly below a profile element 2 ' , which typically forms part of a similar group of profile elements, by means of a number of connecting pieces 28. Owing to the greater rigidity of this double group of profile elements a longer span can be made than with a single profile, whereby a free span between for instance two partition walls becomes possible. Note that it is of course also possible to mount more than two profile elements above each other in order to further increase the rigidity. In the case of a plurality of profile elements mounted one above another, it generally suffices to arrange an insulating material only in the cavity 15, 8 of the bottom profile element into which the panel elements are tilted, since these are the most important from an acoustic viewpoint. In the shown embodiment connecting piece 28 has a middle piece 30 with two downward directed protruding parts 29 which can be anchored in recess 8 of profile element 2, and with upward directed parts 31 which can each be clamped in a channel 7 of the profile element. Figures 12A and B illustrate how the double profile element of figure 11 can be fixed at an outer end against a wall W by means of a support shoe 33. The support shoe is provided with a first lower support 34 for the bottom profile element 2 and with a support situated two elements higher for the profile element 2' situated thereabove. Figure 13 further shows another embodiment of a panel element which is suitable for use for instance when a ceiling has a height difference. This is an L-shaped piece with a first body plate 36 and a second body plate 37 lying perpendicularly thereof, each with a longitudinal edge which is provided with respectively a flange 39 in the plane of the second body plate 37 and a flange 38 perpendicular to the first body plate 36. Figure 14 illustrates different combinations of panel elements. Figure 14A shows an embodiment wherein the flange on the one longitudinal edge is higher than that on the other longitudinal edge. The panels hereby form a sawtooth profile in the direction of the parallel profile elements, the angle of inclination of this profile for instance being small in the shown example. In figure 14B a combination of panels with different flange height is used, which is arranged according to a determined pattern. Owing to the practical manner of mounting and release, different patterns can also be tried out, wherein the most suitable pattern for a space can be determined in this manner. Figure 15 shows a sealing element 50 which can be placed on an outer end of a profile element in order to seal this end and/or for aesthetic reasons. This can for instance be a polished or lacquered aluminium injection moulded article. In order to mutually connect different profile elements in the same plane, longitudinal or transverse connecting elements can be used as are illustrated in figures 16 and 17. The transverse connecting element 40 is provided with two parallel first anchoring parts 41 which can be arranged in recess 8 of a first profile element 2, and two second anchoring parts 42 oriented transversely thereof which can be arranged in recess 8 of a second profile element 2" placed transversely against the end of the first profile element 2. The longitudinal connecting element 43 has an elongate form with a cross-section substantially corresponding to the dimensions of cavity 15 and recess 8, such that a profile element can be pushed over each end of longitudinal connecting element 43. Finally figure 18 shows a channel shaped wall profile 50 which can for example be used for connecting an apparatus which covers the ceiling with a side wall. The wall profile 50 has a bottom surface 51 which is arranged against the side wall, and two sides 53, 54 in between which sides a profile element 2 can be inserted. The edge of a panel element adjacent the side wall, which may be a cut-off edge, rests on the side 53. The wall profile further has a step-like part 52 between the bottom 51 and the side 53 to simulate substantially the same seam as the seam between two tiles. The invention is not limited to the above stated embodiments, and a skilled person will understand that it is possible to envisage many more variants which also fall within the scope of protection as described in the claims. The panels can for instance also be manufactured from plastic by injection moulding, or be manufactured from a combination of different materials. The flange height along an edge can for instance be variable, and corrugated surfaces can also be obtained in this manner. The panel elements can further be provided with means for arranging for instance a lighting fixture.