PROFILE FOR PLASTER BOARD WALLS AND ACCESSORY FOR ITS FIXING TO THE CEILING

The present invention relates to a profile for plaster board walls and an accessory for its fixing to the ceiling. Known metal profiles of substantially U cross-section are used for fixing plaster board walls.

These known profiles present however certain drawbacks, and in particular:

- poor acoustic and thermal insulation due to the conductivity of the metal, - poor resistance to traction at the points of application of the fixing screws.

These drawbacks are eliminated according to the invention by a metal profile plaster for board walls as claimed in claim 1.

A preferred embodiment of the invention and some variants thereof are described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a profile according to the invention in the profile configuration for fixing to the floor, Figure 2 shows it in cross-section,

Figure 3 is perspective view of a profile in the upright configuration, Figure 4 is a perspective view of a profile in the configuration for fixing to the ceiling,

Figure 5 shows it in cross-section,

Figure 6 shows a variant thereof,

Figure 7 shows an accessory for supporting the profile of the invention in the ceiling configuration, Figure 8 shows the accessory while being fixed to the profile,

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a variant of the accessory, and Figure 10 shows an assembly of profiles of the invention.

As can be seen from the figures, the profile of the invention in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 presents a substantially U-shaped cross- section with its lateral flanges 2 comprising a plurality of deep-drawn longitudinal slotted holes 4 and with the central web 6 comprising an expanded central longitudinal band 8 interposed between two bands 10 also comprising a plurality of longitudinal slotted holes 4.

To obtain the profile of the invention, a metal strip of length less than the development of the profile to be obtained is subjected to the following operations:

- longitudinal slitting along the band 8,

- bending of the slit edges,

- deep-drawing of the bands 10 and flanges 2 to form a plurality of continuous holes 4, - profiling of said strip,

- transverse expansion of the band 8 comprising the slitting.

The profile obtained in this manner is fixed to the floor by inserting screws through the holed bands 10 or through the expanded sheet metal portion of the band 8. In the embodiment show in Figure 3 the profile presents a substantially C- shaped cross-section.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the profile of the invention has its central web 6 totally provided with a plurality of deep-drawn longitudinal holes 4 and its lateral flanges provided with an expanded band 8.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the profile presents the free ends of the expanded flanges 2 bent inwards substantially to U-shape.

From the aforegoing it is apparent that the wall profile of the invention presents numerous advantages, and in particular: - high thermal and acoustic insulation due to the presence of the deep-drawn holes and expanded bands which create a discontinuity within the structure, - effective resistance to traction by the screws due to their retention by the deep- drawn holes.

In the embodiment for ceiling use the presence of the expanded bands 2 creates a weakness in the walls, to reduce their rated capacity in relation to accessories to be fitted to the ceiling, hence the invention also provides for the use of ceiling fixing accessories.

Figure 7 specifically shows an accessory piece comprising substantially a clip 10 provided with two holes 12 for passage of a hanger 10 with the central web 16 of the clip fixed to a fork 18.

The fork comprises two prongs 20 which form with a portion 22 interposed between them a seat for fixing the U-shaped edges of the profile flanges 2.

The central portion 22 comprises substantially a part 24 perpendicular to the plane of the fork and a second part 26 perpendicular to said central part and parallel to the first part.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the coupling element consists substantially of a crosspiece 28 of inverted U-shape with its flanges 30 diverging outwards from the central portion 32 and comprising a plurality of perpendicular sheared portions defining lugs 34.

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In particular, the distance between two adjacent lugs corresponds substantially to the profile width, each lug forming with the profile flange 30 a seat suitable for inserting and sliding the profile edges.

On securing the profile to the crosspiece the lugs 34 are bent into a configuration parallel to the flanges in order to retain the profile and prevent its easing apart.