WO2015025104A1

WO2015025104A1 - Facing strips which can be assembled edge-to-edge by self-locking socketing and installation accessories for securing same to a wall

Info

Publication number: WO2015025104A1
Application number: PCT/FR2014/052089
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernard Proot; Jacques Desmet
Original assignee: Findes
Priority date: 2013-08-19
Filing date: 2014-08-13
Publication date: 2015-02-26
Also published as: FR3009732A1; FR3009732B1; PL3036384T3; FR3009731A1; ES2653552T3; EP3036384B1; EP3036384A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly which includes two facing strips (1) which can be assembled edge-to-edge by self-locking socketing, and at least one linking element (2). Said linking element (2) comprises a first portion (20) suitable for being positioned in the groove (120) of a strip, and in contact with the inner surface (122a) of the rear lip (122). Once said first portion (20) has been positioned in the corresponding groove (120) of a strip, the two strips can further be coupled together, the first portion (20) of the linking element being clamped between the rear lip (122) and the tab (130) inserted in the groove, at least in one area for contact or near-contact (Z₁) between the tab (130) and the rear lip (122) of the groove (120).

Description

BLADES OF ASSEMBLABLE COATINGS ON BOARD BY SELF-LOCKING HOUSING AND INSTALLATION ACCESSORIES FOR THEIR SOLIDARIZATION WITH A WALL

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of the laying of blade coatings on a wall, and in particular on a wall-type non-horizontal wall, or on a ceiling type wall. More specifically in this field the present invention relates to coating blades which are assembled edge-to-edge interlocking interlocking, and installation accessories for securing said coating blades with a wall so as to form a fixed or floating coating.

Prior art

Among all the known coatings that can be placed on the ground, there are known decorative floors consisting of decorative blades nested edge to edge with a locking relative to each other two nested blades. A blade most often has a general rectangular shape, but can also be square. These lining blades can be nested with adjacent blades only on two opposite sides of the blades or on all sides of the blades.

For their interlocking, these blades comprise at least two opposite edges, which are profiled so as to form complementary coupling elements respectively comprising at least one groove delimited by two front and rear lips, and a tongue interlocking in the groove between the two. lips.

For locking the blades, said coupling elements further comprise mechanical locking means which prevent the mutual spacing of two coupled blades, in a plane parallel to their substantially flat bottom face, and in a direction perpendicular to their mating edges. . These mechanical locking means most often comprise a locking lug projecting from the tongue and a recess formed in the lower lip of the groove and able to receive said locking pin.

To this day, there are many blade edge profiles allowing such interlocking edge-to-edge and self-locking blades. By way of non-exhaustive examples, the following publications illustrate various examples of blades assembled by interlocking edge-to-edge and self-blocking: international patent applications WO96 / 27721, WO97 / 47834 and WO 99/66151; U.S. Patents 4,426,820, US 7,444,791, US 8,011,155 and US Pat. No. 8,495,849.

To date, the self-locking interlocking boards edge-to-edge, such as those described in the aforementioned publications are adapted and used to produce floor coverings, including floating floor coverings.

However, if it is desired to install these blades assembled edge-to-edge interlocking interlocking on a non-horizontal wall, such as a wall, to form a wall covering, or on a ceiling, we are forced to date to fix each blade on the wall by nailing it, screwing it or stapling it by means of nails, screws or staples passed through the rear lip of the interlocking groove of one of their edge. This installation technique is not practical and especially requires to achieve a fixed-laying coating and does not allow for a wall covering or a floating ceiling coating. In addition, in some cases, the rear lip of the interlocking groove of the edge of the blade is not long enough to allow such a fastening, such as for example for the blade profiles described in the international patent application WO97 / 47834. The manufacturers of these blades are therefore forced to make specific blade profiles with longer rear lip to make wall coverings.

Because of these difficulties, self-locking interlocking edge-to-edge blades are rarely used to make wall or ceiling coverings, but are mainly used for floor coverings. It is also known wall coverings or ceiling panels based on edge-to-edge boarding panels. These panel-type blades may comprise at their opposite edges an interlocking groove and a tongue for their interlocking edge to edge, but do not include mechanical locking means for interlocking interlocking.

According to a known paneling installation technique, it is first fixed on the wall a plurality of slats for forming a laying support for the blades. These slats are fixed on the wall, for example by screwing, being arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart in the direction perpendicular to their longitudinal axis. It may also be advantageous if the slats are spaced in their longitudinal direction so as to subsequently provide a passage for air circulation between the slats, and under the decorative coating.

Once the slatted installation support is fixed on the wall, the paneling is placed, positioning each paneling on the slats of the installation support and fixing individually each paneling on each latte underlying the installation support, and if necessary by joining the two decorative blades together along their longitudinal edges. At the origin of this technique of laying, the slats consisted of wooden cleats, and the cladding boards were fixed by nailing or screwing on the wooden slats.

It has also been proposed to replace the fixing by nailing, screwing or stapling, by fixing by means of individual fasteners reported, fastening type of clips, usually made of metal, and positioned at the interface between each blade and each slat underlying, and at the joint between two decorative blades juxtaposed. This laying solution is for example described in the patent application WO 03/004796. The fastening clips disclosed in this publication are designed to allow them to nest on one edge of a liner blade. In addition, in this publication WO03 / 004796, the slats form laying rails along which the fixing clips can slide individually.

The fastening clips disclosed in this publication WO03 / 004796 are unsuitable and can not be used to attach edge-to-edge joinable blades by interlocking interlocking.

Objective of the invention

The main object of the present invention is to propose a new technical solution that allows the installation of edge-to-edge assembled blades by interlocking interlocking on any type of wall, in particular on a non-horizontal wall-type wall or on a ceiling, so as to form a fixed or floating coating.

Summary of the invention

The invention thus relates to an assembly comprising at least two coating blades, each coating plate having a substantially flat rear face, and at least two opposite edges provided with complementary coupling elements respectively comprising a groove and a nestable tongue. in the groove; said groove is defined by two front and rear lips; said coupling elements make it possible to couple edge-to-edge, with or without play, the two cladding blades with their substantially coplanar rear faces, so that once the two blades are coupled with each other, there is at least one zone of contact or quasi-contact (Zi) between the tongue and the inner face of the rear lip; the coupling elements furthermore comprise mechanical locking means which prevent, with or without play, the reciprocal spacing of two coupled blades, in a plane (X, Z) parallel to their lower face and in a direction perpendicular to their mated edges; said assembly further comprises laying accessories for securing the blades with a wall, and in particular with a non-horizontal wall or with a ceiling, so as to form a blade covering, each installation accessory comprising at least one element of connection, which comprises a first part adapted to be positioned in the groove of a blade, and in contact with the inner face of the rear lip at least in an area at least partially covering said zone of contact or quasi-contact (Zi) between the rear lip and the tongue in the absence of connecting element, and a second part which makes it possible to secure the connection element with a wall (P); at least one of the two lips is deformable and / or at least one of the two lips is compressible, and / or the first part of the connecting element can be crushed; the thickness (ei) of said first part of the connecting element is greater than the distance separating the internal face of the rear lip and the tongue in said contact or quasi-contact zone (Zi) in the absence of connecting element, but is sufficiently weak so that once said first part of the connecting element positioned in the corresponding groove of a blade, thanks to the elasticity of at least one of the two lips and / or crushing of the first part of the connecting element, the two blades can still be coupled with each other, with a clamping of the first part of the connecting element between the rear lip and tongue inserted in the groove, at least in an area corresponding to said contact zone or quasi-contact (Zi) between the tongue and the rear lip of the groove in the absence of connecting element.

More particularly, the assembly of the invention may comprise the following additional and optional features, taken separately or in combination with each other:

The inner face of the rear lip has a non-rectilinear profile, and the first portion of a connecting member is formed to fit said non-rectilinear profile once said first portion of a connecting member positioned in the groove.

- The inner face of the rear lip has a non-rectilinear profile, and the first part of a connecting element is deformable to fit said non-rectilinear profile once said first part of a connecting element positioned in the groove.

- Each installation accessory comprises a film or a flexible or malleable tongue, at least a portion of which forms said first portion of the connecting element, and which is fixed on a rigid support forming said second portion of the connecting element.

- The mechanical locking means comprise a locking lug, which protrudes from the tongue, which is adapted to cooperate with a locking recess in the inner face of the rear lip.

- The zone of contact or quasi-contact (Zi) is located between said locking lug and said locking recess.

- The rear lip is elastically deformable or elastically compressible.

- The rear lip of each blade allows to exert a clamping force on a tongue of another blade inserted in said groove.

Said clamping force contributes to bringing two nested blades side by side and keeping them tight against each other.

- The front lip of the blades is shorter than their rear lip.

- The difference in length (AL) between the two front and rear lips is less than or equal to the thickness (E) of the blades.

- The thickness (E) of the blades may be less than or equal to 20 mm, and particularly less than or equal to 15 mm.

- The thickness (ei) of the first part of a connecting element is for example less than or equal to 0.5mm, and more particularly less than or equal to 0.3mm.

The subject of the invention is also a method for laying a fixed or floating laying liner on a wall, by means of a set referred to above, said method comprising the following steps: - The rear face of a first blade is placed on the wall by positioning it relative to at least one connecting element integral with the wall;

a second edge-to-edge blade is engaged with the first blade by inserting the tongue of the second blade in the groove of the first blade, so that the first part of each connecting element is positioned in the groove of said blade, in contact with the inner face of the rear lip of said blade and until the tongue of the second blade is locked with or without play in the groove of the first blade, with the first part of each connecting element clamped by clamping between the tongue of the second blade and the lower lip of the first blade.

More particularly, the method of the invention may comprise the following additional and optional features, taken alone or in combination with each other:

During the insertion of the tongue of the second blade in the groove of the first blade, the rear lip of the first blade is elastically deformed.

During the insertion of the tongue of the second blade into the groove of the first blade, the first part of each connecting element is crushed.

During the insertion of the tongue of the second blade into the groove of the first blade, the first part (of each connecting element is deformed so that it matches the internal face of the rear lip.

During the insertion of the tongue of the second blade into the groove of the first blade, the second blade is pivoted relative to the first blade towards the wall, so as to exert a pressure by leverage; on the first part of each connecting element and on the rear lip of the first blade.

- The wall is a wall or a ceiling. Brief description of the drawings

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following detailed description of several variant embodiments of the invention, which description is given by way of nonlimiting and non-exhaustive example of the invention. invention, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of two blades assembled edge to edge interlocking interlocking, with elastic clamping of the two blades relative to each other.

Figure 2 is an enlargement of Figure 1 at the nesting area of the two blades.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an intermediate interlocking step of the tongue of one blade in the groove of the other, prior to the final interlocking of FIG. 2.

- Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of two blades assembled edge to edge interlocking interlocking, with elastic clamping of the two blades relative to each other.

- Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of two blades assembled edge to edge interlocking interlocking, without elastic clamping of the two blades relative to each other.

- Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of two blades assembled edge to edge interlocking interlocking, without elastic clamping of the two blades relative to each other.

FIG. 7 represents a connecting element adapted for the blades of the first embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the profile of the connecting element of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an intermediate step of interlocking a blade on a first blade previously fixed to a wall by means of one or more connecting elements according to FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the two blades of FIG. 9, after final interlocking of the two blades and attachment of the grooved edge of the second blade to the wall by means of one or more connecting elements according to FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is an enlargement, seen in cross section, of a blade of the first embodiment fixed to a wall by means of a compliant connecting element. in Figures 7 and 8.

Figures 13 and 14 are cross-sectional views showing intermediate steps of interlocking a second blade on the first blade previously fixed in accordance with Figure 12, before final nesting of the two blades.

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the two blades and the connecting element of Figures 13 or 14, after final nesting of the two blades.

FIG. 16 represents a connecting element adapted for the blades of the second variant embodiment of FIG. 4.

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the profile of the connecting member of Fig. 16.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing an intermediate step of interlocking a second blade on a first blade which are in accordance with the second variant of FIG. 4, before final engagement of the two blades, the edge with groove of the first blade being fixed to a wall by means of a connecting element according to Figures 16 and 17.

Fig. 19 is a cross sectional view showing the two blades and the connecting element of Figure 18, after final nesting of the two blades.

FIG. 20 represents a connection element adapted for the blades of the third embodiment of FIG. 5.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the profile of the connecting element of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing an intermediate step of interlocking a second blade on a first blade which conform to the third variant of FIG. 5, before final engagement of the two blades, the edge with groove of the first blade being fixed to a wall by means of a connecting element according to Figures 20 and 21.

- Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view showing the two blades and the connecting element of Figure 22, after final nesting of the two blades.

FIG. 24 represents a connection element adapted for the blades of the fourth embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing the profile of the connecting element of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing an intermediate step of interlocking a second blade on a first blade which are in accordance with the fourth variant of FIG. 6, before final engagement of the two blades, the edge with groove of the first blade being fixed to a wall by means of a connecting element according to Figures 24 and 25.

- Figure 27 is a cross-sectional view showing the two blades and the connecting member of Figure 26, after final nesting of the two blades.

- Figure 28 shows a fifth embodiment of a connecting element whose first portion, which is positionable in a blade groove, is flexible and deformable. - Figure 29 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting element of Figure 28 fixed on a wall and positioned relative to the edge with a groove of a blade confirms first embodiment of the above embodiment.

- Figure 30 is a cross-sectional view showing a step of interlocking the tongue of a second blade in the groove of the blade of Figure 29, and the deformation of the connecting element. FIG. 31 represents a sixth variant embodiment of a connecting element, which is positioned with respect to a coating blade, and the first part of which can be positioned in a blade groove is flexible and deformable. FIG. 32 illustrates FIG. interlocking operation of a second coating blade with the blade of FIG. 31, with simultaneous deformation of the first flexible and deformable portion of the connecting element of FIG.

- Figure 33 is a side view of the two cladding blades and the connecting member of Figure 32, after interlocking edge to edge of the two blades.

detailed description

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first known example of edge-to-edge assembly of identical lining blades 1, implementing a self-locking edge-to-edge interlocking principle, with more particularly an elastic clamping of the blades one compared to each other. This type of self-locking edge-to-edge interlocking of cladding blades with elastic clamping is so far mainly known under the designation Uniclic®.

FIG. 4 shows a second known example of edge-to-edge assembly of identical Y-cladding blades, implementing a self-locking edge-to-edge interlocking principle with elastic clamping of the blades relative to one another , type Uniclic®. These assemblies of Uniclic® type are described in particular in the international patent application WO97 / 47834. There is shown in FIG. 5 a third known example of edge-to-edge assembly of identical lining blades 1 "implementing a self-locking edge-to-edge interlocking principle, without elastic clamping of the blades with respect to the This assembly is described, for example, in US Pat. No. 7,444,791. In this assembly variant, the edge-to-edge coupling of the two blades 1 "and their self-locking relative to one another, are made with a slight clearance between the blades 1 ".

FIG. 6 shows a fourth known example of edge-to-edge assembly of identical lining blades 1 '', implementing a self-locking edge-to-edge interlocking principle, without elastic clamping of the blades with respect to the other.

The cladding blades 1, 1 ', 1 "or 1"' are monobloc plates that can be of rectangular or square shape, of thickness E. Each blade can for example be made from a solid wood profile, in laminate or melamine, or plastic, and in particular PVC (Polyvinyl chloride). The front face 10 of a blade may comprise one or more surface layers, for example in the form of a monolayer or multilayer film, in particular of plastic, paper, melamine or wood veneer, fixed by any known means, and in particular by gluing and / or heat-sealing. This surface coating of the blade can fulfill a decorative function, and / or a function of protection against wear. The rear face 1 1 of each blade is intended to be oriented towards the laying wall of the coating, and is substantially flat. The blades 1, 1 ', 1 ", 1"' can be manufactured by any known manufacturing means, and in particular by extrusion, machining or molding.

Referring to Figure 1, the two opposite edges 12 and 13 of a blade 1 are profiled so as to form complementary coupling elements respectively comprising a nesting groove 120 and a tongue 130 nestable in the interlocking groove 120. The interlocking groove 120 is delimited by two lips 121 and aft 122.

The front lip 121 is sufficiently short and thick to be substantially indeformable in normal use.

The rear lip 122 of length L2 (FIG. 1) greater than the length L1 of the front lip 121, is elastically deformable in a plane (X, Y) perpendicular to the corresponding edge 12 of the blade, so as to allow a slight separation of the rear lip 122 with respect to the front lip 121.

Preferably, but not necessarily, for reasons of better stability of the interlocking of the blades, the difference in length AL (AL = L2 - L1) between the two lips 121 and 122, measured in a plane (XY) perpendicular to their rear face 1 1 and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Z) of the interlocking groove 120, is preferably less than or equal to the thickness E of the blades 1. By way of non-limiting example of the invention, the thickness E of the blades 1 is for example less than 20 mm, or even less than 15 mm.

The edges 12, 13 of the blades 1 also comprise mechanical locking means 123, 133 which prevent the mutual spacing of two coupled blades 1, in a plane (X, Z) parallel to their lower face 1 1 and in one direction ( Figure 1 / X axis) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Z) of their coupled edges. In the variant of Figures 1 to 3, these mechanical locking means are constituted by a locking pin 133 projecting on the tongue 13, and a groove or locking recess 123, substantially V-shaped, formed in the inner face. 122a of the rear lip 122 (Figure 3). The inner face 122a of the rear lip 122 thus has a non-linear profile including said locking recess 123.

Figure 3 shows an initial phase of nesting of the two blades. In this FIG. 3, the dashed lines represent the rear lip 122 at rest in the undeformed state, before the tongue 13 is engaged in the groove 12. It is assumed that the left-hand blade 1 is placed on a wall, its rear face

1 1 being in contact with said wall. The insertion of the tongue 13 into the groove 12 is made in a first step by inclining the blade 1 from the right relative to the plane (X, Z) parallel to the laying plane of the rear face 1 1 of the other blade 1, and introducing the distal portion of the tongue 13 in the groove 12 until the locking pin 133 is in contact with the rear lip 122. Then is rotated (Figure 3 / Arrow Gi) the blade 1 of the right and moved laterally in the direction of the other blade (Figure 3 / Arrow G2), so as to penetrate more deeply the tongue 13 in the groove 12. This movement allows to exert by leverage a pressure on the rear lip 122, which deforms elastically in the forcing to deviate sufficiently from the other lip 121 to allow the positioning of the locking pin 133 in the locking recess 123. This deformation of the rear lip 122 is possible for example when the blades are placed on a sub-surface. layer of compressible material; in this case under the leverage effect, the rear lip 122 is deformed by locally compressing said underlayer. When the blades 1 are placed in contact with a hard underlay or a hard laying support, under the effect of leverage is obtained in known manner an elastic deformation of the lower lip 122 by a very slight lifting of a part of the corresponding blade relative to the underlayer or the laying medium.

With reference to FIG. 2, once the nesting is complete, the rear faces 1 1 of the blades 1 are substantially coplanar (X, Z plane). The rear lip 122 is in plane contact with the locking pin 133 in a contact zone Zi. In this contact zone Z1, the distance between the inner face 122a of the rear lip 122 and the tongue 13 is zero.

The rear lip 122 is also slightly elastically deformed so that it exerts on the tongue 13 inserted into the groove 12, in the contact zone Z1, a clamping force (FIG. 21, arrow F) which contributes to bringing the two together. and hold them tight against each other in contact areas Z2 and Z3. In this variant, the coupling edge to edge of the two blades 1, and their self-locking relative to each other, are thus made without clearance between the blades 1. FIGS. 7 and 8 show an example of a fitting accessory which comprises a connecting element 2, making it possible to fix the edge (with groove 120) of a blade 1 on a wall, while allowing an interlocking edge on board self-locking of another blade 1 on the opposite edge.

This connecting element 2 is for example a rigid or semi-rigid plastic or metal lug, very thin, which has been shaped. This connecting element 2 may also be wholly or partly made of cardboard or paper, particularly when it is desired to make a connecting element that can be crushed between a tongue 130 fitted into a groove 120 and the rear lip 122 of said groove , to reduce its thickness.

This connecting element 2 thus comprises a first portion 20, of thickness ei, which is adapted to be positioned in the groove 12 of a blade 1, in contact with the internal face 122a of the rear lip 122. At a first end , the first portion 20 terminates in a crimping bead 22 of greater thickness, obtained for example by folding material. At its opposite end, the first portion 20 is extended by a second portion 21, which in this particular example has a substantially L-shaped transverse profile. In this particular example, the thickness of the second portion 21 is substantially equal to that of the second portion 21. (ei) of the first part 20. In another variant, the thickness of the second portion 21 could be different and in particular greater than that (ei) of the first portion 20.

In this particular variant, the second portion 21 of the connecting element comprises at least one through hole 21c, for the passage of a screw, a nail or a fastening clip.

To lay a blade liner 1 on a wall P by means of connecting elements 2, the procedure is as follows.

With reference to FIG. 9, a blade 1 is placed in contact with the wall P (rear face 1 1 in contact with the wall P). The wall P may be directly a wall such as a wall, ceiling or floor, possibly with an intervening underlayer, or as illustrated in FIG. 11, may be formed by a laying support composed of cleats or slats T fixed on a wall and defining a laying plane P.

If this blade 1 is a blade laid first and thus belonging to the edge of the coating, is fixed on the wall P the edge 13 of the blade having the tongue 130, by any suitable fastening means, for example by screwing, stapling or nailing.

Once the blade 1 is placed, the wall P is fixed on its opposite edge 12 by means of one or more connecting elements 2 (FIG. 9). For this purpose, the first part 20 of each connecting element 2 is positioned in the groove 12 of the blade 1. Referring to Figure 12, the first portion 20 of the connecting element 2 has a curved profile identical to that of the inner face 122a of the rear lip 122. The connecting element 2 thus marries said inner face 122a of the rear lip 20 on an attachment zone Z which extends from a point A in the blocking recess 123 to a point B located at the junction between the inner face 122a and the lateral face 122b of the rear lip 122. The second part 21 of the connecting element 2 is situated outside the groove 12 and extends the first part 20 beyond the lateral face 122b of the rear lip 122. More particularly, a branch 21a of the second part 21 of the connecting element 2 extends substantially parallel to the lateral face 122b of the rear lip 122 without being in contact with this side face 122b, and a second branch 21b of the second part 21 of the connecting element 2 is positioned flat against the wall P. Then rigidly secures the connecting element 2 on the wall P by means of a screw, a nail or a staple 3 passed through the second branch 21 b of the second portion 21 of the connecting element 2 and penetrating into the laying wall P. The link elements 2 and allow to block the edge 12 of the blade 1 relative to the wall P.

Once the blade 1 is fixed to the wall P at its edge 12, the tongue 130 of another blade 1 is engaged in the groove 12 of the blade 1 which is fixed by means of the connecting elements 2 (FIGS. 15), proceeding in the same manner as previously described for the interlocking self-locking two blades 1 without implementation of connecting element 2. Once the two blades 1 nested, the connecting elements 2 are advantageously masked by the blades 1 and are not visible.

We repeat its laying steps with new blades 1 until the last blade is placed (blade around the coating). For each last blade placed periphery i of the coating, is fixed on the wall P the edge 12 (with groove 120) of this blade, by any suitable fastening means, for example by screwing, stapling or nailing.

With reference to FIG. 14, by levering, during the insertion of the tongue 130 into the groove 120, the rear lip 122 is elastically deformed with a sufficient amplitude to allow a self-locking interlocking of the tongue 130 in the groove 120 in spite of the excess thickness (ei) of the connecting element 2. By way of non-limiting example, the thickness (ei) is preferably very low, and for example less than or equal to 0.5mm.

In the zone corresponding to the abovementioned contact zone Zi (between the tongue 130 and the lower lip 122 in the absence of a connecting element 2), a tightening of the first part 20 of the connecting element 2 between the lip rear 122 and the tongue 130 introduced into the groove 12. This clamping is used to lock in position the connecting element 2 between the tongue 130 and the rear lip 122.

In the particular assembly example of FIG. 2, beyond the contact zone Zi, at the locking recess 123, in a zone Z4 the locking pin 133 is not in contact with the face internal 122a of the rear lip 122. It remains in this zone Z4, between the locking pin

133 and the inner face 122a of the rear lip 122, a space 124 whose width (d ₄ ) is greater than the thickness (ei) of the first part 20 of the connecting element 2, but is smaller than the thickness of the crimping bead 22 of the connecting element 2. As a result, during the insertion of the tongue 130, the crimping bead 22 is crushed between the locking pin 133 of the tongue 130 and the inner face 122a of the rear lip 122 (Figure 15). This crushing of the crushing bead 22 contributes to improving the immobilization of the connecting element 2 by clamping this element between the tongue 130 and the internal face 122a of the rear lip 122.

Although the fixing of the edges 12 with groove 120 of the blades 1 on a wall P by means of the connecting elements 2 is more specifically useful for laying a louvered coating 1 on a wall or a ceiling, it is nevertheless possible to also lay a blade liner 1 by means of connecting elements 2 on a floor.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show an example of a fitting accessory which comprises a connecting element 2 ', making it possible to fix the edge 12 with groove 120 of a Y-blade referred to above (FIG. 4) on a wall, while allowing a self locking interlocking of another blade 1 'with elastic clamping (force F) of the blades Y against each other (Figures 18 and 19). In this variant, the interlocking is carried out solely by translation of the blade Y in the plane (X, Z) parallel to the rear face 1 of the blades and the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (Z) of the groove 120 ( Figure 18 / Arrow G2).

FIGS. 20 and 21 show an example of a fitting accessory which comprises a connecting element 2 ", making it possible to fix a blade 1" referred to above (FIG. 5) on a wall, while allowing a self-locking interlocking of another blade 1 "(Figure 22 and Figure 23).

FIGS. 24 and 25 show an example of a fitting accessory which comprises a connecting element 2 "', making it possible to fix the edge 12 with a groove 120 of a blade 1'" referred to above (FIG. wall, while allowing a self locking interlocking of another blade 1 "(Figure 27 and

Figure 28).

In both variants of Figures 5 and 6, it should be noted that once the two blades 1 "or 1"'coupled with each other, in the absence of connecting element (Figure 5 or Figure 6) , the rear lip 122 is not deformed and does not exert a clamping pressure on the tongue 130, unlike the variants of FIGS. 3 and 4. In these two variants of FIG. FIGS. 5 and 6, in the absence of a connecting element, there is a zone Zi of quasi-contact between the tongue 130 and the internal face 122a of the rear lip 122. In this quasi-contact zone Zi, the distance separating the internal face 122b of the rear lip 122 and the tongue 13 is very small, and is not necessarily zero as in the variants of Figures 3 and 4, but in all cases is less than the thickness (ei) of the first part 20 of the connecting element 2 "or 2"'. In both variants of Figures 22, 23, 26 and 27, as for the variants of Figures 12 to 14, 18 and 19, during the engagement of the tongue 130 in the groove 120, the rear lip 122 is elastically deformed with a sufficient amplitude to allow a locking interlocking tongue 130 in the groove 120 despite the excess thickness (e1) of the connecting element 2 "or 2"'. In the zone corresponding to the quasi-contact zone Zi referred to above (between the tongue 130 and the lower lip 122 in the absence of a connecting element), a tightening of the first part 20 of the connecting element 2 "or 2 is obtained. between the rear lip 122 and the tongue 130 introduced into the groove 120. The bead 22 of the connecting element 2 "or 2" is also crushed in the zone Z4 between the tongue 130 and the rear lip 122.

In all the examples previously described with reference to the figures, thanks to the elastic deformation of the rear lip 122, two blades can still be coupled to one another by interlocking interlocking, with a clamping of the first part 20 of the connecting element 2, 2 ', 2 "or 2"' between the rear lip 122 and the tongue 130 inserted into the groove 120, at least in an area corresponding to said zone Zi of contact or quasi-contact between the tongue 130 and the rear lip 122 in the absence of connecting element. In another variant, one could obtain the same result by implementing a rear lip 122 of elastically compressible material. Similarly, it is possible to combine the implementation of a rear lip 122 elastically deformable and elastically compressible material. In another variant, one could also obtain the same result, by implementing a front lip 121 elastically deformable or elastically compressible.

In all the variants of the appended figures, the two blades can still be coupled to each other by interlocking engagement, with a clamping of the first portion 20 of the connecting element 2, 2 ', 2 "or 2" between the rear lip 122 and the tongue 130 introduced into the groove 120, thanks to the elasticity of one of the two lips of the groove 120. In another variant, the connecting element 2, 2 ', 2 "or 2 "'may be in a material allowing crushing of at least the first part 20 so that during the interlocking engagement of the blades the first part 20 of the connecting element is crushed between the tongue 130 and the rear lip 122 at least in the zone of contact or quasi-contact Z1, with a sufficient reduction in thickness of the first part 20 of the connecting element. In the context of the invention, it is possible to use this ability to crush the connecting element without implementation of elastically deformable or elastically compressible back and front lips or to combine this ability to crush the connecting element with a rear lip 122 elastically deformable or elastically compressible and / or a front lip 121 elastically deformable or elastically compressible.

In the examples of embodiments mentioned above, the first part 20 of the connecting element 2, 2 ', 2 ", 2"' is formed so as to fit the inner face 122a of the rear lip 122. In another variant such that that illustrated in Figures 28 to 30, the first portion 20 of the connecting element 2 "" can be deformable so as to match the inner face 122a of the rear lip 122, once the two blades nested edge to edge. This deformation is obtained during the nesting of the two blades (Figure 30). This first part 20 of the connecting element 2 "" may for example be constituted by a flexible or malleable film, in particular a plastic film.

In all the examples previously described with reference to the figures, the connecting elements 2, 2 ', 2 ", 2"', 2 "" are used to fix the blades on a wall. In another variant also covered by the invention, the connecting elements could be adapted to be mounted movably on a wall, for example by being mounted in a laying rail, for example to achieve a floating laying coating, with a possibility of expansion of blades in a plane parallel to their rear face 1 1 in the direction (Z axis) parallel to their edges 12, 13 coupled and / or in the direction (X axis) perpendicular to their edges 12, 13 coupled.

FIGS. 31 to 33 show another variant embodiment in which the two blades 1 "'are identical to the blades of FIGS. 26 and 27, and in which the connecting element 2 comprises a flexible film or tongue or malleable F, in particular a film or a tongue made of plastic or metal, mounted on a rigid support 21. The support 21 is secured to a wall, for example by being positioned in a laying rail (not shown) fixed to said wall, and so that a portion of the flexible or malleable film or tongue F is positioned against the side face 122b of the rear lip 122 of blade 1 "'(Figure 31). The support 21 may for example be slidably mounted in said laying rail. Then, with reference to FIGS. 32 and 33, the tongue 130 of the other blade 1 "'is engaged in the groove 120, by deforming the flexible or malleable film F, so that at least a part thereof 20 film F marries at least the inner face 122a of the rear lip 122, once the two blades are fitted edge to edge (Figure 33) .In this variant, but not necessarily, once the two blades are fitted edge to edge, part of the film 20 'of the film or tongue F is positioned between the edges of the two visible front faces 10 of the blades 1 "' and protrudes from the visible front faces 10 of the blades 1" '.This portion 20' is then cut out by means of a cutting blade.

In all the examples previously described with reference to the figures, once the cladding blades are coupled edge-to-edge, the residual space between the edges of the visible front faces 10 of the cladding blades is very small or nonexistent when the edges of the front faces Liner blades touch each other. In another variant, the residual space between the edges of the visible front faces of the nested coating blades edge to edge could be more important.

Claims

An assembly comprising at least two cladding blades (1; 1 '; 1 ";1"'), each cladding blade having a substantially flat rear face (11) and at least two opposing edges (12,13) provided with complementary coupling elements respectively comprising a groove (120) and a tongue (130) engageable in the groove, said groove being delimited by two front (121) and rear (122) lips, said coupling elements enabling coupling edge-to-edge, with or without play, the two facing blades with their rear faces (1 1) substantially coplanar, so that once the two blades coupled with each other, there is at least one zone contact or quasi-contact (Zi) between the tongue (130) and the inner face (122a) of the rear lip (122), the coupling elements further comprising mechanical locking means (123, 133) which prevent, with or without play, the reciprocal separation of two coupled to a plane (X, Z) parallel to their lower face (1 1) and in a direction (X) perpendicular to their coupled edges, said assembly further comprising laying accessories for securing the blades with a wall (P), and in particular with a non-horizontal wall or with a ceiling, so as to form a blade coating, each laying accessory comprising at least one connecting element (2; 2 '; 2 ";2"'; 2 ""; 2), which comprises a first portion (20) adapted to be positioned in the groove (120) of a blade, and in contact with the inner face (122a) of the rear lip (122) at least in a covering region at less in part said contact zone or quasi-contact (Zi) between the rear lip (122) and the tongue (130) in the absence of connecting element, and a second portion (21) which secures the l connecting element (2; 2 '; 2 ";2"'; 2 ""; 2) with a wall (P), together in which at least one (122) of the two lips is deformable and / or in which at least one (122) of the two lips is compressible, and / or wherein the first portion (20) of the connecting element can be crushed, wherein the thickness (ei) of said first portion (20) of the connecting element is greater than the distance between the inner face (122a) of the rear lip (122) and the tongue (130) in said contact or quasi-contact zone (Zi) in the absence of a connecting element, but is sufficiently weak so that once said first portion (20) of the connection element is positioned in the groove (120) corresponding to a blade, with the aid, if necessary, of the elasticity of at least one of the two lips and / or the crushing of the first part (20) of the connecting element, the two blades can still be coupled with each other, with a tightening of the first part (20) of the element of connection between the rear lip (122) and the tongue (130) inserted in the groove, at least in an area corresponding to said contact or quasi-contact zone (Zi) between the tongue (130) and the rear lip (122). ) of the groove (120) in the absence of connecting element.

An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inner face (122a) of the rear lip (122) has a non-rectilinear profile, and the first portion (20) of a connecting member (2; 2 '; 2 "; 2 "') is formed to conform to said non-rectilinear profile once said first portion (20) of a connecting member (2; 2'; 2"; 2 "') positioned in the groove (120).

An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inner face (122a) of the rear lip (122) has a non-rectilinear profile, and the first portion (20) of a connecting member (2 ""; 2) is deformable from so as to conform to said non-rectilinear profile once said first portion (20) of a connecting element positioned in the groove (120). An assembly according to claim 3, wherein each installation accessory comprises a flexible or malleable film or tongue (F), of which at least a part forms said first part (20) of the connecting element (2), and which is fixed on a rigid support forming said second part (21) of the connecting element (2).

5. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanical locking means comprise a locking pin (133), which protrudes from the tongue (130), which is adapted to cooperate with a locking recess ( 123) in the inner face (122a) of the rear lip (122).

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the contact zone or quasi-contact (Zi) is located between said locking pin (133) and said locking recess (123).

7. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the rear lip (122) of each blade (1; 1 ') allows to exert a clamping force on a tongue (130) of another blade (1 1 ') inserted in said groove (120).

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said clamping force (F) contributes to bringing together two blades (1; 1 ') nested edge to edge and to keep them clamped against each other.

An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front lip (121) of the blades is shorter than their rear lip (122).

An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thickness (ei) of the first portion (20) of a connecting member (2; 2 '; 2 "; 2"'; 2; 2) is less than or equal to 0.5 mm, and more particularly less than or equal to 0.3 mm.

1 1. A method of laying a fixed or floating laying liner on a wall (P) by means of an assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, said method comprising the steps of:

the rear face (1 1) of a first blade (1; 1 '; 1 ";1"') is placed on the wall (P) by positioning it with respect to at least one element connecting piece (2; 2 '; 2 ";2'"; 2 ""; 2) integral with the wall (P);

a second blade (1; 1 '; 1 "; 1"') is engaged edge to edge with the first blade by inserting the tongue (130) of the second blade into the groove (120) of the first blade, such so that the first part (20) of each connecting element (2; 2 '; 2 "; 2"'; 2 ""; 2) is positioned in the groove of said blade, in contact with the inner face of the lip; rearward of said blade, and until the tongue (130) of the second blade is locked with or without play in the groove (120) of the first blade, with the first portion (20) of each connecting element (2). 2 '; 2 "; 2"'; 2 ""; 2) locked by clamping between the tongue (130) of the second blade and the lower lip (122) of the first blade.

12. The method of claim 1 1, wherein during the insertion of the tongue (130) of the second blade in the groove (120) of the first blade is elastically deformed the rear lip (122) of the groove. (120) of the first blade.

13. A method according to any one of claims 1 1 or 12, wherein during the insertion of the tongue (130) of the second blade in the groove (120) of the first blade, the first part is crushed ( 20) of each connecting element (2; 2 '; 2 "; 2"').

14. A method according to any one of claims 1 1 to 13, wherein during the insertion of the tongue (130) of the second blade in the groove (120) of the first blade, is deformed the first part ( 20) of each connecting element (2 ""; 2), so that it matches the inner face (122a) of the rear lip (122).

15. A method according to any one of claims 1 1 to 14, wherein during the insertion of the tongue (130) of the second blade into the groove (120) of the first blade, the second blade is pivoted. with respect to the first blade in the direction of the wall (P), so as to exert by pressure a pressure on the first part (20) of each connecting element (2; 2 '; 2 ";2"'; 2 ""; 2) and on the rear lip (122) of the first blade.

The method of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the wall is a wall or a ceiling.