Snap-fit extrusions for forming panels
AssigneeNational Research Council of Canada
InventorsJean-Francois Beland, Francois Nadeau
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A metallic extruded profile has two parallel skins interconnected by a set of at least two webs running between extrusion edges of the profile and snap-fit features on joining edges permitting two instances of the profile to snap fit together along the joining edges, where a first web that is closest to snap-fit features of a first joining edge, is a curved web viewed from the extrusion edges. The curvature allows for both the curved web and skins to participate in snap-fit deformation, allowing for the deformation to be distributed over a large area, for a stiffer snap fit, and reduced plastic deformation.
Claims20
A metallic extruded profile having two skins with inner, and outer surfaces, in which:
- the skins are interconnected by at least two webs that integrally meet the inner surfaces of both skins at respective roots;
- an outer periphery of the profile includes a first joining edge;
- and
- snap-fit features on the first joining edge permit the profile to snap fit together with a complementary profile joining edge, by deforming at least the skins and a first of the at least two webs, the first web being the closest of the at least two webs to the snap-fit features of the first joining edge;
- wherein:
- the first web is curved;
- a curvature of the first web is visible viewing an extrusion edge of the profile, the curvature comprising a maximum deviation of the first web from a line segment connecting the first web's root centres that is at least twice the first web's mean thickness;
- and
- the profile is adapted to deform during snap-fit deformation with the first web elastically deforming to change a separation of root centres, and the skins between the first web and a neighbouring web deforming elastically.
A metallic extruded profile having two skins with inner, and outer surfaces, in which:
- the skins are interconnected by at least two webs that integrally meet the inner surfaces of both skins at respective roots;
- an outer periphery of the profile includes a first joining edge;
- and
- snap-fit features on the first joining edge permit the profile to snap fit together with a complementary profile joining edge, by deforming the skins and the first web, the snap-fit features including a sloped entrance surface extending from a joining edge proximal point to a first web proximal point for wedging open the first joining edge;
- wherein:
- a first web, closest to the snap-fit features of the first joining edge, is curved;
- a curvature of the first web is visible viewing an extrusion edge, the curvature comprising a maximum deviation of the first web from a line segment connecting the first web's root centres that is at least twice the first web's mean thickness;
- and
- the line segment is recessed from the first joining edge by at least one of:
- a distance that is at least three times a mean thickness of the first web in an undeformed state;
- and at least 50% further than the first web proximal point.
A method for supporting a snap-fit connection of a metallic extruded profile comprising two parallel skins interconnected by a set of at least two webs, the method comprising:
- providing snap-fit features on complementary leading edges of the profile, the snap-fit features including at least one detent mechanism;
- providing a first leading web of a first of the leading edge that extends between both skins, the first leading web having a shape, viewed in the extruded direction, having at least an approximate curvature, and a length of the web being at least 15% more than a distance between the respective joins with the skins;
- and
- during snap fit, spreading deformation over both the first leading web and the skins to limit plastic deformation of the profile,
- whereby after snap fit connection, elasticities of both the first leading web and the skins act cooperatively to increase snap-fit resiliency.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.