GB2425785A

GB2425785A - A profile system

Info

Publication number: GB2425785A
Application number: GB0608341A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shaun Gadsby
Original assignee: NORSKE INTERIORS U K Ltd
Current assignee: NORSKE INTERIORS U K Ltd
Priority date: 2005-05-05
Filing date: 2006-04-27
Publication date: 2006-11-08
Anticipated expiration: 2026-04-27
Also published as: GB2425785B; GB0608341D0; GB0509155D0; NO20062029L

Abstract

A profile system for joining together the edges of adjacent panels (3, 4 Fig 2) comprises a rear component part 2 defining a pair of arms 5, 6 each joined to an intermediate connecting member 8, and a front component part 1 defining a pair of arms 12, 13 each joined to an intermediate connecting member 15. The intermediate connecting members 8, 15 of the front and rear components (1, 2) are adapted, in use, to mate with one another to connect the front and rear component parts 1, 2 together. When connected each arm 5, 6 of the rear component part 2 lies opposite to and spaced from a respective one of the arms 12, 13 of the front component part 1 to define a channel therewith into which, in use, the edge of a panel (3, 4 Fig 2) is received. The inwardly facing surface of each arm 12, 13 of the front component part 1 is provided with a sealant portion 16 which forms a seal with a respective one of the two panels to be joined together by the profile system.

Description

DESCRIPTION

"A PROFILE SYSTEM" The present invention relates to a profile system for connecting wall panels and, in particular, for connecting waterproof panels in a bathroom or shower enclosure.

Waterproof panels are known for use as a wall covering in "wet areas" such as bathrooms or shower enclosures. These panels can also be used to form the wall itself, making them ideal for en-suite shower rooms. These waterproof panels have significant advantages over tiles in terms of their ease of use and installation, durability, and performance.

A wide range of profiles is available for connecting together adjacent panels and for finishing off the edges of these panels, including bottom seal profiles for ensuring a leak-proof seal around a bath or shower, edging profiles for giving a decorative to the final edge, joining profiles for joining together two or more panels to form a continuous planar surface and corner profiles to give corners a neat appearance. These profiles can be made of PVC in colours to match the panels or in anodised aluminium.

Corner profiles may be internal or external, but both have a channel running the length of the profile and on each side thereof into which the edge of a panel is received.

To prevent ingress of water between the sides of the channel and the panel a waterproof mastic sealant is used. The mastic is run into the channel and the edge of the panel is then forced into the channel to express the mastic around it.

This conventional corner profile provides a satisfactory finish to the panels.

However, the requirement to fill the channels with mastic before inserting the panel edges is time consuming and can be difficult when the panels have different thicknesses. If the mastic is not run into the channels evenly gaps may occur through which water can leak, and excess mastic may be forced out onto the facing surface of the panel which can mar the appearance of the panel if it is not cleaned up. In addition this method of installation requires the panels be installed in strict sequence. Also swinging the panels into place can cause damage in the room ceiling.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a profile system, for joining together the edges of adjacent panels which obviates or at least substantially mitigates the problems described above associated with conventional profiles.

According to the present invention there is provided a profile system for joining together the edges of adjacent panels, the profile system comprising a rear component part defining a pair of arms each joined to an intermediate connecting member, and a front component part defining a pair of arms each joined to an intermediate connecting member, wherein the intermediate connecting members of the front and rear components are adapted, in use, to mate with one another to connect the front and rear component parts together such that each arm of the rear component part lies opposite to and spaced from a respective one of the arms of the front component part to define a channel therewith into which, in use, the edge of a panel is received, and wherein the inwardly facing surface of each arm of the front component part is provided with a sealant such that in use each arm forms a fluid tight seal with a respective one of the two panels to be joined together by the profile system.

The profile system may take the form of an internal corner profile, an external corner profile or a joining profile.

To this end the outwardly facing surface of the front component part formed by the arms and the intermediate connecting part is so shaped as to suit the particular profile of the profile system forming either an internal arc, an external arc or a substantially planar surface.

Optionally, a sealant may be provided on each arm of the rear component part.

This ensures that the profile system forms a fluid tight seal with both the front and rear surfaces of the panels to be joined together.

Preferably, the sealant on each arm comprises a sealant strip extending the full length thereof. Conveniently, the sealant strip comprises a compressible barrier tape having a self adhesive surface which in use adheres to the facing surface of the panel.

Preferably, the intermediate connecting means adapted to connect the front component part to the rear component part comprises a channel or socket carried by one of the said component parts and a plug carried by the other component part, and the plug is adapted to be received in the said channel or socket.

Conveniently, the internal surfaces of the walls defining the channel or socket and the sides of the plug are serrated to provide an interference fit between the two. This arrangement also allows a secure connection between the plug and the socket or channel at varying depths of insertion of the plug into the socket or channel. This is advantageous in that it allows the profile system to accommodate different thicknesses of panel between the front and rear component parts. Panels can be installed in any order and offered into place without swinging in.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the front and rear component parts of an interior corner profile embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the interior corner profile shown in Fig. 1 in situ between two panels; Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the front and rear component parts of an exterior corner profile embodying the present invention; and Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the exterior corner profile shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 together of the drawings an interior corner profile embodying the present invention comprises a front component part I and a rear component part 2. Although not shown in the drawings it will be appreciated that the corner profile forms a longitudinal strip of substantially the same length as the two panels 3 and 4 which are to be joined together.

The rear component part 2 comprises a first arm 5 and a second arm 6 which extend at right angles to each other. The first arm 5 is slightly longer than the second arm 6, to accommodate fixing holes (not visible) through which a screw can be inserted to secure the rear component part to a wall. The "V" groove in the longer arm provides a "drilling aid" for drilling out these fixing holes. However, it will be understood that this extension can also be provided on both arms or it can be omitted as, for example, might be deemed preferable where the panels form a free standing enclosure. An abutment 17 is provided on the inner face of each arm 5 and 6 against which the edge of the adjacent panel 3, 4 rests. The abutment also provides a convenient measuring point from which to measure the opening between profiles before cutting the panels to size.

Situated at the junction of the two arms 5 and 6 is an intermediate member 8 defining between two upstanding walls 9 and 10 a socket or channel 11. As shown this intermediate member 8 extends longitudinally the full length of the corner profile.

However, this is not essential to the design. A plurality of separate and discreet intermediate members may be provided at uniformly spaced intervals along the length of the corner profile.

The front component part 1 comprises a first arm 12 and a second arm 13 the outwardly facing surfaces of which are continuous to form an internal arc 14. Situated at the junction between the first arm 12 and the second arm 13 is an intermediate member defining a plug which is adapted to be received in the channel 11 of the intermediate member 8 of the rear component part 2. As shown the plug extends the full length of the corner profile.

However, this is not essential to the design. The plug may in fact be discontinuous over the length of the corner profile. The principle requirement of the plug is that it is adapted to be received in the channels of the rear component part and to be held in place thereto over the full length of the corner profile.

The interior surfaces of the walls 9 and 10 and the exterior surfaces of the plug 15 are serrated. Furthermore, the walls 9 and 10 are sufficiently resilient to allow the plug 15 to be pressed home into the channel 15. The serrated surfaces then form an interference fit to hold and retain the front and rear component parts 1 and 2 together.

It will be appreciated that the plug and channel arrangement connecting together the front and rear component parts allows panels of varying thickness to be accommodated by the corner profile.

On the interior face of each arm 12, 13 of the front component part 1 is a strip seal 16 which extends the full length of the front component part 1. Optionally, a strip seal can also be provided on the interior face of each arm 5, 6 of the rear component part 2. The strip seal 16 is a compressible barrier tape with a self adhesive surface protected by a peel off strip which, in use, is removed to uncover the self adhesive surface. When the front component part 1 is pressed into engagement with the rear component part 2, to secure a panel on each side thereof, each strip seal 16 is compressed against the panel (as shown in Fig. 2) and adheres thereto to form a watertight seal therewith. Other types of strip seal can be used within the scope of the present invention.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4 together of the drawings there is shown an exterior corner profile. In all its essential respects this is identical to the interior corner profile shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Accordingly, the same reference numerals have been used to identify corresponding elements thereof. The exterior corner profile differs from the interior corner profile in the following respects. Firstly, the rear component part 2 carries the plug 15 and front component part 1 carries the upstanding walls 9 and 10 which define the channel 11 in which the plug 15 is received. Secondly, the outwardly facing surfaces of the two arms 12 and 13 of the front component part I form an external arc 14 The exterior corner profile is used to join two panels together in the same way as previously described for the interior corner profile.

Claims

1. A profile system for joining together the edges of adjacent panels, the profile system comprising a rear component part defining a pair of arms each joined to an intermediate connecting member, and a front component part defining a pair of arms each joined to an intermediate connecting member, wherein the intermediate connecting members of the front and rear components are adapted, in use, to mate with one another to connect the front and rear component parts together such that each arm of the rear component part lies opposite to and spaced from a respective one of the arms of the front component part to define a channel therewith into which, in use, the edge of a panel is received, and wherein the inwardly facing surface of each arm of the front component part is provided with a sealant such that in use each arm forms a seal with a respective one of the two panels to be joined together by the profile system.

2. A profile system according to claim 1, wherein the rear component part defines an internal corner and the outwardly facing surface of the front component part formed by the arms and the intermediate connecting part forms an internal arc.

3. A profile system according to claim 1, wherein the rear component part defines an external corner and the outwardly facing surface of the front component part formed by the arms and the intermediate connecting part forms an external arc.

4. A profile system according to claim 1, wherein the rear component part defines a joining profile and the outwardly facing surface of the front component part formed by the arms and the intermediate connecting part forms a substantially planar surface.

5. A profile system according to any preceding claim, wherein a sealant is also provided on each arm of the rear component part.

6. A profile system according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealant comprises a sealant strip which extends the full length of the arm supporting it.

7. A profile system according to claim 6, wherein the sealant strip comprises a compressible barrier tape having a self adhesive surface.

8. A profile system according to any preceding claim, wherein the intermediate connecting means adapted to connect the front component part to the rear component part comprises a channel or socket carried by one of the said component parts and a plug carried by the other component part, and the plug is adapted to be received in the said channel or socket.

9. A profile system according to claim 6, wherein the internal surfaces of the walls defining the channel or socket and the sides of the plug are serrated to provide an interference fit between the two.

10. A profile system according to any preceding claim, wherein each arm of the rear component part is provided with an upstanding abutment against which, in use, the edge of a panel rests.

11. A profile system substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.