Field of the invention

The invention concerns the field of building structures. More specifically, the invention concerns an assembly system and device as set out by the preamble of claim 1. Background of the invention

Walls and ceilings normally require some type of surface finishing, for example in the form of gypsum (drywall), wallpaper, panelling or laths. The latter has become popular as an internal decorative feature, because of its visual qualities sound attenuating properties. In general, laths are (comparably) narrow and elongated strips of wood which are nailed or screwed at regular intervals to the wall or ceiling. One problem with the existing laths is that they are time-consuming to fit to the wall, and screws and nails required used for fixing the laths to the wall are visible and therefore disturbs the visual appearance. It is therefore a need for an improved device for fixing laths to walls or ceilings. The prior art includes EP 0534099 Al, which describes a basic moulding which has a flat cross-section and receives concealed fastening devices on its front side, upper front- attachment mouldings, and lower front-attachment mouldings is set of mouldings. The upper and lower mouldings are connected to the basic moulding by means of concealed fastening devices, received in respective recesses in the mouldings. Summary of the invention

The invention is set forth and characterized in the main claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention.

It is thus provided a fastening device, comprising an elongated body having opposite first and second portions arranged about a body longitudinal axis; characterized in that each portion comprises gripper members configured and dimensioned for engagement with the walls of at least one groove into which the fastening device may be at least partially inserted. In one embodiment, the gripper members define a transverse dimension which is slightly greater than the said grooves. The gripper members may be arranged with an angle such that they are leaning towards the axial center of the body. In one embodiment, the gripper members may be in the form of ribs that extend the length of the fastening device. The gripper members may comprise tips or edges that are configured to penetrate a wall in said groove.

It is also provided a lath for assembly onto a foundation, said lath comprising an elongated body having one or more elongated groove dimensioned and configured for receiving a portion of at least one of said fastening device. It is also provided a connection system, characterized by one or more of said fastening devices and at least one of said laths.

Brief description of the drawings

These and other characteristics of the invention will become clear from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example, with reference to the attached schematic drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic and partly exploded view of a plurality of laths, fastening devices and a foundation (one lath is shown in the connected state);

Figure 2a is a cross-sectional drawing of a first embodiment of the lath;

Figure 2b is a cross-sectional drawing of a second embodiment of the lath; Figure 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fastening device;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional drawing of an embodiment of a fastening device;

Figure 5 is an elevation view of an embodiment of a fastening device; and

Figure 6 is an elevation view of a plurality of laths mounted on a foundation (e.g. a plate member). Detailed description of a preferential embodiment

The following description may use terms such as“horizontal”,“vertical”,“lateral”, “back and forth”,“up and down”,’’upper”,“lower”,“inner”,“outer”,� ��forward”,“rear”, etc. These terms generally refer to the views and orientations as shown in the drawings and that are associated with a normal use of the invention. The terms are used for the reader’s convenience only and shall not be limiting.

Referring initially to figure 6, the invention comprises in its most fundamental form one or more laths 4 that are connected (releasably fixated) to a wall or ceiling foundation 1. If the foundation is a wall, the laths are primarily oriented vertically. In the illustrated embodiment, the laths 4 are mounted with a gap d, which for example may be on the order of 10 to 50 mm. It should be understood that the gap d may less than or greater than this, and may also be non-existent whereby adjacent laths abut.

Referring additionally to figure 1, the foundation 1 may be a plate (e.g. an MDF plate) which has been connected to a pre-existing wall or ceiling. Each lath 4 comprises an elongated groove 5 on the side facing the foundation 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the lath groove 5 extends the entire length h of the lath. The foundation 1 also comprises grooves 3, preferably extending a length corresponding to that of the lath length k. Each lath 4 is connectable to the foundation 1 by means of a fastening device 2 which is shaped and dimensioned to fit into the foundation groove 3 and the lath groove 4. Each lath may be fixed to the foundation 3 by inserting a portion of one or more fastening device 2 into the foundation groove 3 and then pressing a lath towards another portion of said fastening device 2 and towards the foundation. A lath fixed to the foundation is illustrated on the right-hand side of figure 1, and illustrates how the fastening device 2 is concealed by the lath 4. Referring to figures 3-5, an embodiment of the fastening device 2 comprises an elongated body 8, having a width n which is smaller than the widths of the foundation groove 3 and the lath groove 4. A first body portion 6a is configured for insertion into the foundation groove 3 or the lath groove 4, and a second body portion 6b is configured for insertion into the lath groove 4 or the foundation groove 3. Each body portion 6a, b is furnished with gripper members 7 defining a transverse dimension w _e which is slightly greater than that of the widths of the foundation groove and the lath groove. In the illustrated embodiment, the gripper members 7 are shown as having rounded tips or edges 9; however these tips or edges may preferably be sharp (i.e. an acute angle) in order for the tips or edges to penetrate the groove walls and ensure adequate attachment. The gripper members 7 are preferably arranged with an angle such that they are leaning towards the axial center of the body 8. The gripper members 7 may be in the form of ribs or barbs (not illustrated) that extend the length of the fastening device 2, as indicated in figures 2 and 5. When the fastening device 2 is pressed into the grooves, the tips or edges 9 penetrate the groove walls. In one embodiment, the gripper member 7 may flex somewhat, but a hard, inflexible material is preferred. The above mentioned angled arrangement of the gripper members 7 provide resistance to separation between the lath and the foundation. The fastening device material may be a plastic material, preferably a hard plastic material such as hard PVC, but the invention shall not be limited to such materials. As a practical example, which shall not be limiting, relevant dimensions may be:

• Foundation, e.g. for ceiling (e.g. plate member) 1 :

o Width: w _p = 300 mm

o Thickness: t _p = 12 mm

o Length: h = 3000 mm

• Foundation, e.g. for wall (e.g. plate member) 1 :

o Width: w _p = 600 mm

o Thickness: t _p = 12 mm

o Length: h = 2400 mm

Lath 4:

o Width: wi = 33 mm

o Thickness: ti = 21 mm

o Length (for ceiling): h = 3000 mm

o Length (for wall): h = 2400 mm • Fastening device 2:

o Width (inch ribs 7): w _e = 4,5 mm

o Body with: n = 2,5 mm

o Distance between portions: g = 3 mm

o Height: h _e = 12 mm

o Length: l _e = 200 mm

Figure 2a illustrates a typical lath cross-section. Figure 2b illustrates an alternative embodiment of a lath 4’, having two of the aforementioned lath grooves arranged parallel to one another, i.e. a first lath groove 5a and a second lath groove 5b. This embodiment provides a stronger connection to the foundation (which will have corresponding parallel grooves (not shown)), and is particularly advantageous for countering minor deformations that may occur due to (e.g.) change in humidity.

The invented system comprises the combination of the invented lath 4; 4’, fastening device 2 and foundation (e.g. plate member) 1. This system facilitates a quick and accurate fitting and assembly of laths onto the foundation, without the need for any special tools and without compromising the visual appearance of the finished wall or ceiling. The fastening device 2 will be concealed by the lath.

Although the invented parts and system is useful for use on walls and ceilings of rooms, it should be understood that the invention also may find application in external (out of doors) environments.

Although the lath material in most applications will wood, the invention shall not be limited to this materials, but may also comprise various metals and/or synthetic materials.