FRAME FORMING STRUCTURE AND A FLEXIBLE EXTRUDED PROFILE MOULDING

Abstract: The invention relates to a frame-forming construction comprising parts for forming a frame and associated connecting means. A fabric or plastic sheet is mounted firmly in the space defined by the frame. Each frame part (2) is comprised of a flexible profiled moulding extruded from polymeric material. The moulding is provided with longitudinally extending snap-on connecting elements (68, 11) which function to lock together the longitudinally extending outer ends of the moulding. The connecting devices (3) are intended to mutually connect at least the ends of the profiled moulding to form a closed frame, and the sheet of fabric (1) or the plastic sheet is firmly clamped by the snap-on connecting elements (68, 11).

Description: FRAMEFORMING STRUCTURE AND A FLEXIBLE EXTRUDED PROFILE MOULDING. The present invention relates to a frame-forming structure and a flexible extruded profiled moulding for achieving from a packaging aspect a practical configuration of the bulky frame parts included in said structure. As is known, such framed constructions as mosquito windows, screening walls, sound insulating baffles, etc., are comprised generally of an opening defining frame in which a sheet of fabric or plastic material is attached. It is often necessary to adapt the exter- nal dimensions of the frame to conform to existing building measurements, meaning that the framed con¬ structions must either be ordered to measure or must be manufactured on site. Framed constructions that are manufactured to ordered measurements are very expensive, and consequently it is often necessary to manufacture the framed construc¬ tion oneself. In order to produce a frame which has the requisite material properties regarding bending resistance, stability and weight, it is often neces¬ sary to select material which possesses these proper¬ ties, for instance aluminium or wood. Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to eliminate the aforesaid problems by providing a framed construction whose measurements can be readily adapted prior to assembling the construction, and by providing a kit of structural parts whose configuration is such to form upon assembly a unit which exhibits all of the aforesaid requisite frame properties. Another object is to provide a framed construction which can be retailed in a minimum package as a do-it-yourself kit which includes all of the parts necessary for the customer to produce a framed construction himself/her¬ self. The aforesaid objects are achieved in accordance with the invention with a frame-forming structure having the characteristic features set forth in the charac¬ terizing clauses of respective Claims. In order for the invention to be more readily under- stood, a preferred exemplifying embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference.io the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top view of a framed fabric construc- tion, a mosquito window; Figure 2 is an end view of one profiled moulding forming part of the frame; Figure 3 is a part view with the frame parts shown separated from one another; and Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line A-A in Figure 1. The Figures illustrate a preferred embodiment of a framed fabric construction which comprises a fabric sheet in the form of a net, such as to form a. mc-squito window in accordance with one preferred embodiment ^ of the invention. The framed net construction shown in Figure 1 compris¬ es a generally available net 1 which is held stretched between four frame sections 2 which together form a frame structure and which are comprised of profiled mouldings. The framed fabric construction also in¬ cludes connecting pieces which include four corner pieces 3, which mutually join the ends of the frame parts 2. Figure 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a profiled, flexible moulding, preferably an extruded moulding, which is comprised of a polymeric material, for instance a PVC-plastic material, and which has longitudinally extending snap-on connector means formed integrally therewith. The profiled moulding is intended to form the frame parts 2 , where each pro¬ filed moulding or frame part 2 presents three main parts when seen in cross-section, said parts compris- ing a female part 10, a male part 60 and a centre part 40 which are formed from a horizontally and longitudi¬ nally extending common base part 17. When seen in cross-section, the female part 10 has two mutually spaced snap-on locking elements 11, 16 formed on the base part 17. Each snap-on locking element 11, 16 has two tongues 18, 19 and 20, 21 which are mutually spaced on the base part 17 and extend perpendicularly therefrom. Two of the tongues 18, 20 are provided a respective locking recess 22 and 23 adjacent the base part 17. Correspondingly, when seen in cross-section, the male part 60 has two mutually spaced snap-on locking ele¬ ments 61, 68 which are formed on the common base part 17 and which are complementary to the aforesaid ele¬ ments 11, 16. Each snap-on locking element 61, 68 is formed by a respective tongue 62 and 63 extending from the base part 17, wherein the inwardly lying tongue 62 extends perpendicularly from said base part and the outwardly lying tongue 63 is comprised of a first perpendicular part 64 which continues with a part 65 that is angled slightly inwards and a terminating, perpendicular part 66. Each tongue 62, 63 is also provided with a respective locking projection 66 and 67. When seen in cross-section, the centre part 40 formed between the male part 60 and the female part 10 in¬ cludes two mutually spaced supportive elements 70, 80 which extend from the base part 17. Each supportive element 70, 80 includes a part 71 and 72 which extends perpendicularly from the base part and which are terminated with a respective supportive part 73, 74 which extend in mutually opposite directions parallel with the base part 17. In order to enable the profiled construction or moulding to be folded in the direction of its longitudinal axis, the base part 17 is provided on each side of respective supportive elements 70, 80 with two mutually spaced necked portions each forming a respective weakening 75, 75', wherein eajgh oiL the weakenings 75, 75' is terminated by a shoulder ojr * abutment 78, 78' which when the moulding is folded form a stiffening together with the supportive ele- ments 73, 74. The corner piece 3 illustrated in Figure 3 is prefer¬ ably provided by pressure moulding an angled profiled section from polymeric material. The corner piece will have a shape which is complementary to the shape of the frame parts 2 that meet at respective corners of the frame, so as to enable the frame to be secured firmly at its corners. Thus, when seen in cross-sec¬ tion, the illustrated corner piece 3 is comprised of two mutually perpendicular web parts 102, 103, each of which is terminated by a respective supportive lip 101, 111 which extends at right angles to its particu¬ lar web part, of which supportive lips the lip Ϊ00 has a slightly longer extension than the other lip. Before assembling the described framed textile con¬ struction, the extruded moulding 2 is first cut into four appropriate lengths, which form the frame parts 2. The Construction is then assembled in accordance with Figure 4, by first placing the net 1 on the female part 10 of each frame part 2 and then folding the male part 60 of the frame part 2 through an angle of 180 ° along the weakenings 75, 75' and in a direction to¬ wards the female part 10 of the frame part 2, said frame parts 2 forming tubular profiles. The male part 60 is therewith snapped firmly into the female part 10 together with the net 1. Because the net 1 extends between the tongues 18, 19, 63 of the snap-on locking elements 11, 68, a part of the net 1 will be folded around the tongue 63 as the male part 60 is brought together with the female part 10, and is brought down between the tongues 18, 19 so as to clamp the net 1 between said tongues. The net is further stretched during the following, final movement between the. mutu¬ ally facing frame parts 10, 60. The corners of the frame structure are secured by snapping a corner piece 3 onto each corner of the frame, by placing the sup¬ portive lip 101 of a first corner piece 3 behind the rear edges of respective frame parts 2 that meet at each corner, wherewith the supportive lip 111 of the corner piece 3 will snap firmly onto the bottom edge of the frame parts 2 meeting at said corner, in re¬ sponse to pressure applied to the corner piece 3. The embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings provides a stable frame construction as a result of coaction between the frame components, wherein transverse forces applied to the frame 1 are taken-up by respective corner pieces 3 which lock the mutually meeting ends of the frame parts 2 at each corner, and also by means of the friction force gener- ated between the net 1 and the tongues 18, 19, 63 of the snap-on locking elements ll, 68. The frame parts 2 are given a flexurally rigid con¬ struction by the snap-on connection of complementarily shaped parts and are consequently able to take-up the bending forces to which the frame is subjected. The invention also provides a frame-forming structure which can be retailed in a minimum package as a do-it- yourself kit which contains all essential parts. It will be understood that the present invention is not restricted to the aforedescribed and illustrated embodiment thereof, and that changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed in the following Claims. For instance, it is conceivable for the connection between the frame parts 2 to be effected in some other way than with the illustrated corner pieces 3.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A frame-forming construction which includes frame- forming parts and associated connecting means, wherein a fabric or plastic sheet is secured in the space defined by the frame, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that each frame part (2) is comprised of a flexible profiled moulding extruded from polymeric material and provided with longitudinally extending snap-on con- necting elements (68, 11) which function to lock together the longitudinally extending outer ends of the moulding; in that connecting devices J3) are provided for connecting together at least the ends of respective adjacent mouldings to form a closed frame; and in that the fabric or plastic sheet is clamped firmly by said snap-on connecting elements (68, 11). 2. A frame-forming construction according to Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that each profiled moulding (2) includes two longitudinally extending fold-weakenings (75, 75') which enable the moulding to be folded into a tubular profile. 3. A frame-forming construction according to Claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the snap-on connecting elements (11, 68) comprise mutually coact- ing tongues (18, 19, 63). 4. A frame-forming construction according to any one of Claims 1-3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that as the outer ends of the moulding are locked together, the moulding is active in stretching the fabric (1) or plastic sheet placed between the snap-on connecting elements (68, 11) on the profiled moulding. 5. A frame-forming construction according to any one of the preceding Claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the connecting devices have the form of corner pieces (3) which have a form complementary to the frame parts (2) that meet at respective corners and are constructed to mechanically clamp together the frame parts at each corner. 6. A frame-forming construction according to Claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that when seen in cross- section, the corner piece (3) presents two mutually perpendicular web parts (102, 103), each of which is terminated in a respective supportive lip (101, 104) which extends perpendicularly to its respective web part. 7. A profiled moulding (2) for forming frame parts of the frame-forming construction according to Claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the moulding is comprised of a thin, flexible polymeric material and is provided with at least two longitudinally extending fold-weakenings (75, 75') along which the moulding can be folded into a tubular profile; and in that the moulding (2) can be rolled-up from its flattened or extended state in the direction of its longitudinal axis. 8. A moulding (2) according to Claim 7, c h a r - a c t e r i z e d in that the moulding is provided on both longitudinally extending edges thereof with a longitudinally extending snap-on connecting element (68, 11), and in that the snap-on connecting elements can be connected to one another when the moulding is folded along said longitudinally extending fold-weak¬ enings (75, 75' ) .

Inventors: MAEKI URBAN, MAEKI, URBAN
Applicants: MAEKI URBAN, PLASTEX AB, MAEKI, URBAN
Application year: 1993
Main classification: E06B9
IPC codes: E06B9