EP1987746A2

EP1987746A2 - Composite construction for making laminar bodies, such as sheets, panels and the like

Info

Publication number: EP1987746A2
Application number: EP08007888A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roberto Caroli
Original assignee: SOFTWEAR Italia Srl
Current assignee: SOFTWEAR Italia Srl
Priority date: 2007-05-04
Filing date: 2008-04-24
Publication date: 2008-11-05
Also published as: EP1987746A3; ITMI20070891A1

Abstract

A composite construction for making laminar bodies, such as sheets, panels and the like, is characterized in that said composite construction comprises one or more plates coupled to one another by coupling or latching elements, which have flexible end portions to be engaged in corresponding holes formed on the sides of the plates.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a composite construction for making laminar bodies, such as sheets, panels and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to provide such a composite construction which can be used for making laminar bodies of any desired shapes and size, and adapted to provide several types of articles of manufacture.
Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the invention is to provide such a composite construction which can be made at a very low cost.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a composite construction which can be quickly and simply assembled by a user thereof.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a composite construction for making laminar bodies, such as sheets, panels and the like, characterized in that said composite construction comprises one or more plates coupled to one another by coupling or latching elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example in the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the basic composite construction according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a further exploded perspective view of the subject construction, comprising a plurality of plates;
Figure 3 is a further perspective view of two adjoining plates, forming the composite construction according to the invention;
Figure 4 is yet another perspective view showing a laminar element made by the composite construction according to the invention;
Figure 5 is yet another perspective view, showing a sheet or laminar element made of that same composite construction;
and
Figure 6 is yet another perspective view showing a curtain made by using the composite construction according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the composite construction according to the present invention, which has been generally indicated by the reference number 1, comprises one or more plates 2, coupled to one another by coupling or latching elements 3.
Each said plate 2 comprises a quadrangular body, having rounded corners 4 and a hole 5 at each side thereof.
Said quadrangular body may have a different configuration, and can be constructed from a metal material, a plastics material or other suitable materials.
Each said coupling or latching element 3 comprises an elongated body, having respective end portions folded onto one another, thereby providing two ring elements 6.
The end portions of each said latching element 3 are flexible and are adapted to be engaged in corresponding holes 5 of two adjoining plates, thereby connecting to one another said adjoining plates.
Said latching elements 3 are preferably made of a plastics material, thereby providing a very flexible construction.
The provision of holes on the sides of each said plate allows to form different shapes and size construction, depending on the application requirements.
In particular, a composite construction according to the present invention can comprise any desired number of plates, i.e. from two to an infinite number.
By way of a merely exemplary configuration, figure 5 shows a panel or sheet element 10 including a composite construction according to the present invention.
Figure 6 shows a further application example of the subject composite construction, comprising a blind or curtain arrangement 11.
In this connection, it should be pointed out that the composite construction according to the present invention can also be used for making a lot of different articles of manufacture for the furnishings field, such as curtains for separating spaces, as shown by way of an example in the figures, as well as in the clothing and toy fields, and so on.
In particular said plates can be coupled or latched to one another to form a plate row or a complete panel, or they can also be coupled with a cross arrangement, to provide a panel having empty zones.
It is also possible to make more complex articles, by coupling to one another the plates to provide fancy articles of manufacture for any desired application, for example for making decorative elements for the furnishings field, or cloth or shirt articles.
It has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.
In fact, the invention provides a composite construction constituted by plates which can be coupled to one another by latching elements to provide laminar bodies of any desired shapes and size, to be used in a lot of different applications.
Moreover, the subject composite construction can be easily and quickly assembled, to provide the desired articles of manufacture of any desired configurations and size.
In fact, in addition to simple and regular configurations, to provide, for example, the curtain shown in the figures, the composite construction according to the invention can also be used for forming complex products, such as cloth articles.
Moreover, by using different materials and color plates, it is also possible to provide articles of manufactures having any desired qualitative properties, with a sole limit of the user fantasy.
Furthermore, the composite construction according to the present invention can also be used as a playing or toy construction.
In practicing the invention, the used materials, as well as the contingent size and shapes, can be any, depending on requirements.

Claims

A composite construction for making laminar bodies, such as sheets, panels and the like, characterized in that said composite construction comprises one or more plates, coupled to one another by coupling or latching elements.
A composite construction, according to Claim 1, characterized in that each said plate comprises a quadrangular body having rounded corners and a hole at each side of said composite construction.
A composite construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each said plate has any desired plate configuration.
A composite construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each said plate is made of a metal laminated material, or a plastics material.
A composite construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each coupling or latching element comprises an elongated body, having end portions folded onto one another, thereby forming two ring arrangements.
A composite construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each said latching or coupling element has flexible end portions adapted to be engaged in corresponding holes of two adjoining plates, thereby coupling said plates to one another.
A composite construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said latching or coupling elements are made of a plastics material.
A composite construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said composite construction is specifically adapted to make tents, curtains, cloth articles, shirts, toys and the like.