Abstract:
A device for fixing a frame in a through-hole extending between two opposite faces of a panel the frame including a peripheral wall having an upper and lower edges and configured to cover a structure of the panel delimiting the through-hole the upper edge including an edge configured to rest against a first face of the panel, wherein the device includes a damping element including an arm integral with a perpendicular tab and an assembly structure configured to secure the tab on the second face of the panel in the vicinity of the through-hole, the arm configured to exert, a force on the peripheral wall adapted to flatten the peripheral wall against the structure of the panel defining the through-hole and to exert a force on a stop of the peripheral wall adapted to flatten the ledge of the frame against the first face of the panel when the tab is fixed on the second face of the panel.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention concerns a device for fastening a frame in a through-hole extending between two opposite faces of a panel such as in particular a working plane, said frame consisting of a peripheral wall having an edge top and a bottom edge, said peripheral wall being capable of coating the panel structure delimiting said through-hole, and its upper edge being provided with an edge adapted to rest against a first face of the panel around said through-hole. 
         [0002]    It is common to equip a panel, of the work area type, with an orifice for access from the top of the work area to the space located below its underside, so as to provide a passageway through which for example it is possible to connect the connecting cables of electrical appliances arranged on the work area to sockets or connectors underneath the work area. 
         [0003]    Whether for functional purposes or simply for aesthetic purposes, such a through-hole is generally coated with a frame formed of a peripheral wall equipped with a flange resting on the upper face of the work plan, around the through-hole, and masking the panel structure around the through-hole. Optionally, such a framework can also be a support for a sealing means of at least part of the through-hole, such as for example a pivoting or sliding access door. 
         [0004]    Conventionally, the frame can be simply mounted with a tight fit in said through-hole, without using any additional connecting element, its correct positioning is achieved when the flange bears against the top side of the workplan. Such a solution is for example known from document EP 2 251 949 A2. It is advantageous because of its structural simplicity and the fact that it does not require any particular dexterity on the part of a user, since it suffices to fit the frame in said through-hole until the flange is in support against the workplan. However, it is not fully satisfactory, especially when implemented in the case of a framework acting as support for a sealing means. 
         [0005]    Indeed, in this case, such a framework is generally subjected to frequent handling that can quickly lead to its untimely disengagement from said through-hole, which requires an intervention to reposition properly. On the other hand, due to possible manufacturing defects, or due to the use of materials having a certain deformability, the fit between the through-hole and the frame is not always perfect, which can result in looseness between said frame and said through-hole, damaging both the quality of the socket as well as the aesthetic appearance of the assembly. 
         [0006]    The objective of the present invention is therefore to provide a device for fixing a part in a through-hole extending between two opposite faces of a panel such, as in particular, a work plan, ensuring both the stability of the assembly between the frame and the through-hole, preventing any unexpected dislocation, and guaranteeing the perfect positioning of the frame in the through-hole for a flawless appearance. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    To this end, the invention concerns a device for fixing a part in a through-hole extending between two opposite faces of a panel such as in particular a worktop of the kind indicated in the preamble, characterized in that it comprises at least a clamping element comprising at least one arm integral with a tab extending in a plane perpendicular to said arm, and an assembly means for securing said tab on the second face of the panel adjacent to the hole therethrough, said arm of the clamping element being arranged to exert on the one hand, on said peripheral wall, a force to flatten said peripheral wall against the panel structure defining said through-hole and on the other hand, on a stop comprised in said peripheral wall, a force to flatten the rim of said frame against the first face of the panel when said tab is fixed to the second face of the panel. 
         [0008]    In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, the peripheral wall of the frame is a dual wall having an outer wall and an inner wall, the outer wall having at least one cutout extending from the lower edge toward the upper edge of the peripheral wall, over a length substantially corresponding to the width of the tab of the clamping element and a height substantially corresponding to the thickness of the tab, said cutout and the space between the outer wall and the inner wall, to vicinity of said cutout, defining a housing for said arm of the clamping element. 
         [0009]    Moreover, the arm of the clamping element preferably includes a substantially rectilinear portion extended by a hook-shaped portion. 
         [0010]    In this case, said stop may advantageously be defined by a rib extending along a side end of said cutout between the outer wall and the inner wall of the peripheral wall from the lower edge toward the upper edge thereof, the length of said rib corresponding substantially to the length of the substantially straight portion of the arm of the clamping element. 
         [0011]    Furthermore, thanks to an additional feature, the gap provided between said inner and outer walls is configured such as to allow a tight fit of the arm of the clamping element engaged in said housing. 
         [0012]    The present invention is further characterized in that the double wall is reinforced by a series of ribs, preferably substantially equidistant, connecting together the outer wall and the inner wall and extending between the upper and lower edges of the peripheral wall. 
         [0013]    According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said clamping element comprises two arms extending in the same plane perpendicular to said tab, and symmetrical with respect to an axis centered on a side of said tab to which they are secured. 
         [0014]    Another feature of the invention is further defined by the fact that the second face of the panel comprises in the vicinity of the through-hole a recess of complementary shape to said tab and wherein said tab can rest when said arm is engaged in said housing and supported on said abutment. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the connecting means for securing the tab against the second face of the panel is selected from the list comprising a screw, a tail clip, a rivet, and in this case, said tab preferably comprises at least one hole allowing the passage of said assembly means. 
         [0016]    In addition, the tab can advantageously comprise stiffening means such as, for example at least one ridge traversing its underside. 
         [0017]    Another object of the invention relates to an implementation method of a device as described above, for fixing a part in a through-hole extending between two opposite sides of a panel, such as in particular a work plan in which: 
         [0018]    is inserted into said through-hole a frame consisting of a peripheral wall having an upper edge and a bottom edge, said peripheral wall being capable of coating the panel structure delimiting the said through-hole, and its upper edge being equipped with a flange adapted to rest against a first face of the panel around said through-hole, said peripheral wall further including a stop, 
         [0019]    the edge of the frame is placed against a first face of the panel around said through-hole, 
         [0020]    one places an arm integral with a tab of a clamping element in contact with the peripheral wall of the frame and the abutement that it comprises, 
         [0021]    said arm is pivoted about said abutment so as to bring the said tab of the clamping element in contact with the second face of the panel, 
         [0022]    said tab is fixed to said second face of the panel in such a way that said arm exerts on the one hand on said abutment a force to press the edge of said frame against the first face of the panel and on the other hand against said peripheral wall a strength for pressing said peripheral wall against the panel structure defining said opening. 
         [0023]    According to a feature of the method according to the invention, to position the arms of the clamping element in contact with the peripheral wall of the frame and the abutment it includes, it is engaged in a housing formed between an outer wall and an inner wall of the peripheral wall of the frame. 
         [0024]    In accordance with another characteristic of the process according to the invention, when the tongue of the clamping element is in contact with the second face of the panel, it is positioned in a complementarily shaped recess formed in said second face of said panel. 
         [0025]    Moreover, to secure the tab of the clamping element on said second face of the panel, the method according to the invention expects preferably to use an assembly means selected from the list comprising a screw, a tail clip, and a rivet. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    The present invention and its advantages will become more apparent from the following description of an alternate embodiment given as a nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which: 
           [0027]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  show a top view of a work surface comprising a through-hole covered with a frame supporting a flap in dosed and open position respectively; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  shows a bottom view of the work surface of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIGS. 3 to 7  are views of detail D of  FIG. 2 , showing various stages of implementation of the device according to the invention, the frame being shown in partial section in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    With reference to the figures, the invention concerns a device for fastening a frame  1  in a through-hole  2  formed through the e thickness of a work surface  3 , such as for example a desk top, and therefore extending between a first face and a second opposed face of the work surface  3 , in this case between the upper face  3  and bottom face  4  of the latter. 
         [0031]    In the example shown, the through-hole  2  has a parallelepiped shape, offering easy access to the space below the underside  5  of the workplan  3  from the top face  4 . The frame  1  consists of a peripheral wall  10 , closed on itself, manufactured from a material selected from the list comprising a plastic, a composite material, a metal, or any equivalent material. 
         [0032]    The peripheral wall  1  has two longitudinal walls  11  parallel to each other, connected by two side walls  12  defining between them a shaped passage and of substantially identical dimensions to those of the through-hole  2 . Thus, when the frame  1  is fitted into the through-hole  2 , the peripheral wall  10  is able to coat the cutout in the work surface  3  to get the through-hole  2  and therefore the structure  9  of the work plan  3  delimiting said through-hole  2 . 
         [0033]    Also the peripheral wall  10  has an upper edge  13  extended by a ledge  15  adapted to rest on the upper face  4  of the workplan  3 , around the through-hole  2 . 
         [0034]    The peripheral wall  10  has a height h substantially equal to the thickness e of the workplan  3 , so that its lower edge  14  lies substantially flush with the bottom face  5  of said work surface  3  when the frame  1  is fitted into the through-hole  2 . Of course, the peripheral wall may have a height h different, notably higher than the thickness e of the workplan without jeopardizing the spirit of the invention. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the frame  1  serves also as support to a hatch  6  also pivotally mounted on the side walls  12  of the peripheral wall  10 , and which can adopt an open position ( FIG. 1 ) providing access to the space under the work surface  3  or a closed position ( FIG. 2 ) in which it is substantially located in the plane of the upper face  4  of the worktop  3 . Conventionally, the dimensions of the flap  6  are preferably such that in its closed position a gap  7  for the possible cables passage is formed between the peripheral wall  10  of the frame  1  and the hatch  6 . 
         [0036]    In the illustrated embodiment, the frame  1  is advantageously fixed on the work surface  3  by means of four identical clamping elements  8 , manufactured, like the frame  1 , in a material selected from the list comprising a plastic, a composite material, a metal, or any equivalent material. The clamping elements  8  are distributed in pairs along the longitudinal walls  11  of the frame  1 , provided that the number of clamps  8  and distribution are merely exemplary and can be adapted on a case by case basis, depending on the shape and dimensions of the frame  1 . 
         [0037]    Each clamping element  8  has a portion capable of engaging with the frame  1  and another portion arranged to be attached the work plan  3 . In the alternative embodiment shown, each clamping element  8  includes for this purpose two arms  80 ,  81  extending the edge  85  of a tab  82 , here substantially shaped like a half-moon, and which extends in a plane perpendicular to said arms  80 ,  81  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ). According to the invention, arms  80 ,  81  are arranged to cooperate with said frame  1 , while the tab  82  is intended to be fixed against the work surface  3 , in this case against the underside  5  of the latter, through a suitable connecting means. 
         [0038]    In the illustrated alternative embodiment the two arms  80 ,  81  of a clamping element  8  are symmetrical with respect to an axis X centered on the edge  85  of the tab  82 . In addition, they each have an area  83  substantially rectilinear, and a hook-shaped area  84 . In fact, the arms  80 ,  81  are intended to be engaged in a housing  18  of the frame  1  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) having an abutment on which the hook  84  of an arm  81  is adapted to bear so as to exert on the frame  1  a force to flatten the rim  15  against the top side  4  of the workplan  3 , when the tab  82  is attached to the underside  5  of the workplan  3 . 
         [0039]    In the alternative embodiment shown, the frame  1  thus comprises four housings  18 , distributed in pairs along each of the longitudinal walls  11  of the peripheral wall  10 . Advantageously, the latter may be defined by a double wall having an outer wall  16  and an inner wall  17  forming between them a space allowing the introduction of the arms  80 ,  81 . According to the invention, each housing  18  is delimited by said space between the outer wall  16  and inner wall  17  of the peripheral wall  10 , and by a cutout  20 , of substantially parallelepiped shape formed on the outer wall  16 , near the lower edge  14  of the peripheral wall  10 . 
         [0040]    In fact, the cutout  20  has a substantially identical height to the thickness of the tab  82  and a length substantially identical to the length of the edge  83  of the tab  82 . The cutout  20  is made on the outer wall  16  at a location, when the frame  1  is fitted into the through-hole  2 , opposite a recess  22  that the underside  5  of the worktop  3  may preferably comprise, and whose shape is complementary to that of the tab  82 . 
         [0041]    Thus, when both arms  80 ,  81  of a clamping element are engaged in a housing  18 , the tab  82  and its edge  85  are adapted to rest respectively in a recess  22  and above the cutout  20  defining said housing  18 . With such a configuration, the tab  82  of the clamping element  8  is considered as it were integrated into the bottom face  5  of the working plane  3 , which improves the quality of the assembly between the frame  1  and the worktop  3  while preventing the presence of any protruding elements on the lower face  5  of the worktop  3 . 
         [0042]    Preferably, the spacing between the outer wall  16  and internal wall  17  of the peripheral wall  10  of the frame  1  substantially corresponds to the thickness of the arms  80 ,  81  of a clamping element  8  so that they can be engaged with a tight fit and exert on the outer wall  16  a force to flatten the peripheral wall  10  against the structure  9  of the worktop  3  around the through-hole  2 , once the tab  82  is attached to the underside  5  of the worktop  3 . 
         [0043]    Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the abutment comprises a housing  18  that is defined by a ridge  19  formed between the external walls  16  and  17  of the peripheral wall  10  of the frame  1 , at one side end of the cutout  20 . Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the ridge  19  extends from said lower edge  14  of the peripheral wall  10 , perpendicular to said lower edge  14 , over a height corresponding substantially to the length of the straight area of an arm  80 ,  81  of a clamping element  8 . actually, the ridge  19  is so designed that the hook-shaped area  84  of one of the arms  80 ,  81 , namely the arm  81  in the example shown, is supported on the free end  21  of the ridge  19  when the two arms  80 ,  81  are engaged in a housing  18  and the tab  82  rests in a recess  22  of the lower face  5  of the worktop  3 . 
         [0044]    In fact, to secure the frame  1  in the through-hole  2  in which it has previously been fitted such that its ledge  15  rests on the upper face  4  of the worktop  3 , are used successively each of the four clamping elements  8  all being manipulated in a similar manner. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 3 to 7  show the various stages of implementation of a clamping element  8  for fixing the frame  1  in the through-hole  2 . 
         [0046]    Thus, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the first step is to introduce, in a first housing  18 , one of the two arms  80 ,  81  of a clamping element  8 , the hook-shaped zone  84  is assumed to interact with the ridge  19 . In the illustrated example, it is the arm  81 . 
         [0047]    We then rotate the hook-shaped zone  84  of the latter around the free end  21  of the ridge  19  ( FIGS. 4 to 6 ) until the second arm  80  is fully engaged in the housing  18  and the tab  82  lies in the recess  22  of the lower face  5  of the worktop  3 . 
         [0048]    An assembly means, such as for example a screw  23  or any other equivalent means such as notably a tail clip, or a rivet, is then used to attach the tab  82 , including in this example a hole  26  in the recess  22 . 
         [0049]    Tightening the tab  82  against the underside  5  of the worktop  3  has the effect of maintaining the clamping element  8  in an active position in which the two arms  80 ,  81  are engaged in the housing  18 , and lie both against the face of the outer wall  16  of the peripheral wall  10  which is thus pressed against the structure  9  of the worktop  3  defining the through-hole  2 . Naturally, this action will have all the more impact since the width of the arms  80 ,  81  and therefore the contact surface between the latter and the outer wall  16 , will be important. 
         [0050]    In the active position of the clamping element  8 , the hook-shaped zone  84  of the arm  81  also exerts on the ridge  19  a force making it possible to flatten the rim  15  of the frame  1  against the top side  4  of the worktop  3 . 
         [0051]    These two concurrent actions conveniently make it possible to prevent any play between the frame  1  and the structure  9  of the worktop  3  around the through-hole  2 . 
         [0052]    Thus, in its active position, a clamping member  8  allows both to maintain the frame structure  1  in the through-hole  2 , so as to prevent accidental dislocation, and the aesthetic appearance of the assembly since  1  allows the frame to perfectly fit the cutout in the worktop  3  and thus present a flawless finish. 
         [0053]    A series of regularly spaced connecting ridges  24  connecting the outer wall  16  and inner wall internal  17  and extending preferably over the entire height of the peripheral wall  10  between its upper edge  13  and lower edge  14  further allow the stiffening of the frame  1  and further improve the mechanical strength and therefore the aesthetics. 
         [0054]    According to another characteristic of the invention, the tab  82  also includes stiffening means, avoiding inadvertent deformation of the tab  82 , such as for example one or more ridges  25  traversing its underside. 
         [0055]    As is dear from the above, the present invention thus achieves the objectives set out in the introductory part of this description. 
         [0056]    Also the embodiment is advantageous from the point of view of implementation. In that a clamping member  8  comprises two symmetrical arms  80 ,  81  permits its use irrespective of the configuration of the housing  18  and the position of the ridge  19  at one or other of the lateral ends of the cutout  20 . Nevertheless, it is quite conceivable to provide a clamp with only one arm, such a configuration may, where appropriate, involve the use of a greater number of clamps and be more appropriate in certain cases, notably where the through-hole is small. 
         [0057]    Of course, the present invention is not limited from the viewpoint of the shape and dimensions of the orifice through  2  and therefore the frame  1 , which could also present an infinite variety of other shapes, chosen according to functional and/or aesthetic criteria and be joined by means of one or more clamping elements  8  as described above. 
         [0058]    Thus, the configurations shown in the figures are only possible examples, in no way limiting, of the invention which encompasses on the contrary variations in shape and design to the scope of the skilled artisan.