EP4415927B1 - Clamping and holding tool for decking, flooring or cladding boards - Google Patents

Description

[Technical domain.

The present invention relates to a metal tool particularly suitable for tightening cladding, decking or flooring slats. The invention also relates to a method for tightening decking, flooring and/or cladding slats, or the use of several metal tools for adjusting and tightening said slats. Finally, the invention relates to the use of a metal tool according to the invention in a workshop, for assembling joinery elements.

The invention relates to the technical field of building, in particular the technical field of tightening terraces, cladding or floors.

State of the art.

Laying terraces or cladding requires regular positioning of slats, such as wooden slats, on a support generally formed by pieces of wood. This tightening remains complex, however, sometimes requiring several people, especially when the slats are long. The installation time and cost can then be significant, especially because the slats are laid and fixed one after the other.

This is why blade clamping tools have been developed. These tools usually consist of two wedge elements, each element being positioned on an upper corner of two blades, a previously mounted blade and a second blade to be added. By a lever system, the second blade is pushed against the first. But this type of tool can only be used after positioning a first blade against a rim, with a space provided between said blade and the rim, since the wedge element must be able to be positioned in the space. In addition, the blades must always be spaced using a shim, in order to be able to position the wedge elements of the tool. In addition, only one or two new blades can be clamped simultaneously on the piece of wood. The time saving is therefore limited. Finally, these tools cannot be used for making cladding or flooring, since the blades must be butted or joined, i.e. without space between them.

There are also tools for clamping joinery elements, as described in the patent application FROM 20 2017 100 971 U1 which shows the preamble of claim 1. However, these tools are not suitable for installing terrace, floor or cladding boards.

The invention aims to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the aforementioned state of the art. More particularly, the invention aims to allow simultaneous tightening of several cladding, terrace or floor slats, in a simplified manner in terms of costs, time and labor compared to the tools of the aforementioned prior art.

Presentation of the invention.

The solution proposed by the invention is a metal tool for clamping cladding, flooring and/or terrace slats, the tool comprising: an angular profile at the base of said tool designed to be placed on a corner of a piece of wood, joist or beam, an adjustable clamp system adaptable to different sections of wood to hold the tool on the piece of wood, and a pusher in the form of a mechanical screw equipped on one side with a stop capable of being wedged against a slat, and, on the other side, with a clamping tip adapted to a screwdriver, such that in use, actuation of the screwdriver causes the mechanical screw to rotate and the stop to translate to exert a thrust force on the slats.

The metal tool can also be used for installing paneling, flooring, roof under-slopes, etc. The angular profile makes it easy to position the tool on one or more pieces of wood. The piece of wood can be a joist or beam, or any part configured to support the elements to be tightened, such as flooring, cladding or terrace slats. Thus, the tool can be mounted on any piece of wood, including a frame part, or any other support part used in the building. The system clamp allows the tool to be held on the piece of wood. The use of the tool on floors, cladding or terraces is not limiting. The blades can be made of any construction material known to those skilled in the art and used for the same purposes, such as, for example, wood, such as softwood or hardwood, or stone.

The pusher, by its lateral movement of the stop, allows a pushing force to be exerted on the blades and to tighten them. The pusher is advantageously, but not limited to, a mechanical screw, but can be any device capable of exerting a similar effect and known to those skilled in the art. By mechanical screw, we mean a device distinct from the clamp system, which allows the positioning and tightening of the blades against each other. The screwdriver allows the pushing force to be increased tenfold, so that several blades can be very quickly and very simply tightened simultaneously, unlike the tools developed in the prior art. In practice, at least three to five blades can be tightened simultaneously. Preferably, the force generated is at least several hundred kilos (or kilogram-force), in particular when a screwdriver is used to generate the pushing force. Such a force makes it possible to work with the various blade materials mentioned above.

The tool also has the advantage of being able to be used as soon as the first blade is installed butted against a wall or edge of a terrace, cladding or floor, no space being necessary for its fixing between two adjacent blades. In fact, the tool is fixed only on an underlying piece of wood and does not need to be engaged with other blades. Thus, the added blades can be pushed directly towards the edge of the terrace, cladding or floor.

This tool can also easily adapt to any configuration and/or blade width, and/or take up any play between the blades previously installed and before tightening.

Clamping cladding slats is also possible with this tool. In fact, since the slats do not need to be spaced apart to be tightened, they can be mounted more easily.

Other advantageous features of the tool that is the subject of the invention are listed below. Each of these features can be considered alone or in combination with the remarkable features defined above. Each of these features contributes, where appropriate, to the resolution of specific technical problems defined further in the description and in which the remarkable features defined above do not necessarily participate. The latter may be the subject, where appropriate, of one or more divisional patent applications:

According to one embodiment of the invention, the clamping tip is equipped with a T25 screwing tip, and optionally, when the screwing tip is present, this tip is located in the center of a 14 mm nut, and/or the stop is flat or beveled.

The tightening tip is thus adapted to be connected to a screwdriver. Preferably, other types of screwing tips may be provided, said tips being known to those skilled in the art. For example, a T22 screwing tip may also be used.

Optionally, the tightening tip and/or the screwing tip may be a removable tip, so that it can be replaced after wear. Indeed, the screwing tip may wear out with use, hence the interest in providing a removable tip. A method of removable mounting of said tip may consist, for example, of a magnetic tip, complementary to a magnetic orifice forming a support at the end of the screw, this device allowing an easy and inexpensive change of the magnetic tip after wear. Other methods known to those skilled in the art may also be used to removably fix the tip to the end of the screw.

Alternatively, the screwdriver bit may form a nipple, the end of which has a shape complementary to a free end of the screwdriver. By free end, we mean the end of the screwdriver configured to be in contact with the mechanical screw but without a tip. This nipple may also be removable from the tool. Generally speaking, the wear of the nipple is less compared to the wear of a screwdriver bit known to those skilled in the art.

The nut constitutes a second means of tightening the blades, in addition to the screwdriver bit, the nut and the screwdriver bit forming the tightening bit. Alternatively, the nut may be another type of nut known to those skilled in the art. Alternatively, the nut may be replaced by similar devices known to those skilled in the art, such as another type of bit. The nut may be used to tighten the blades using a screwdriver or using tools known to those skilled in the art, such as a wrench, or multi-grip pliers for example, then allowing manual tightening of the tool.

According to one embodiment of the invention, metal faces of the tool in contact with the wood comprise a non-slip material or studs and/or the tool comprises a flat metal part comprising holes to accommodate screws allowing, if necessary, the fixing of the tool on a joist to be reinforced.

The non-slip material can be any type of material that can help hold the tool on the piece of wood, such as, for example, a non-slip strip. The pins can be made of many materials, such as metallic materials. Alternatively, the pins can also be made by drilling the metal faces, so as to bring out metallic material on the side of the piece of wood. The metallic material emerging then forms the pins, which will allow the tool to be attached to the piece of wood.

The presence of holes on the flat metal part of the tool improves the hold of the tool on the underlying piece of wood, and more particularly, on the joist.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the tool has an L shape comprising: a first portion supporting the clamp system, and a second portion supporting the angular profile, the first portion being positioned perpendicular and fixed to the second portion.

Positioning the angular profile opposite and perpendicular to the clamp system makes it easier to tighten and hold the tool on the underlying piece of wood. Advantageously, the tool is made in one piece, improving its strength, while reducing manufacturing costs and the weight of said tool.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the second portion further comprises at least one flat metal part in continuity with the first portion, said metal part supporting the angular profile at an end opposite the end attached to the first portion, the angular profile extending from and perpendicular to a lower face of the flat metal part.

The tool is advantageously made of metallic materials. Alternatively, other tool manufacturing materials, having similar characteristics, may be considered, such as plastics.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first portion of the tool comprises, at an end opposite the second portion, a lower extension with a central orifice supporting the clamp system, said extension being positioned perpendicular to a lower face of the first portion.

The extension allows the clamp system to be supported by the tool, and can optionally be made integral with the rest of the tool. This makes the tool easier to manufacture.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the clamping system of the first portion comprises at least one threaded slide with, at a first external end of said slide, a clamping handle and, at a second internal end, a movable jaw, such that the tool is fixed on the piece of wood by moving the movable jaw towards the angular profile.

The clamp system makes it easy to adapt the tool to different sizes of wood pieces supporting the blades.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the second portion of the tool further comprises a U-shaped element configured to support the mechanical screw, said element being positioned on the flat metal part of the second portion, the U-shaped element comprising: a flat longitudinal segment extending along the along an upper face of said metal part, and two lateral upper extensions extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the segment and from two edges of said segment, said extensions each comprising a median orifice configured to receive the mechanical screw.

The U-shaped element provides support and holds the mechanical screw in position, for easy tightening of the blades on the structure delimiting the terrace, cladding or floor.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the flat metal part of the second portion further comprises a middle upper extension, said extension comprising an opening in its lower end configured to receive the longitudinal segment of the U-shaped element, so as to allow the lateral sliding of said element along the flat metal part, from a so-called rest position, where the U-shaped element is entirely positioned on the metal part, to a so-called thrust position, where the U-shaped element is at least partially offset relative to said metal part, towards the outside of the tool.

The upper middle extension, together with the opening of said extension, allows the retention of the U-shaped element in the tool, while allowing its lateral movement relative to the flat metal part, in order to allow the clamping of the blades.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the U-shaped element further comprises a longitudinal groove which extends in the lengthwise direction of the longitudinal segment; and the upper middle extension or the upper face of the flat metal part comprises at least one pin configured to be inserted into the groove of the U-shaped element, so as to allow the retention of said element in the second portion of the tool, while allowing the sliding of said element relative to the flat metal part.

The groove-pin assembly allows the retention of the U-shaped element in the tool, this assembly being easy to implement, manufacture and use. The sliding of said element relative to the flat metal part is also maintained.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the mechanical screw is oriented parallel to the angular profile, so as to allow the mounting of the elements to be tightened perpendicular to the positioning of the underlying piece(s) of wood supporting said elements.

This parallel arrangement of the screw and the angular profile allows the blades to be positioned perpendicular to the underlying pieces of wood.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the element(s) to be tightened are blades, such as wooden blades, said tool being suitable for tightening cladding, terrace or floor blades.

The invention also relates to a method for tightening deck, floor and/or cladding slats, said slats being mounted on one or more pieces of wood so as to form a structure having an edge, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: installing the slats on the piece(s) of wood, from the edge of the structure or from a previously fixed slat, mounting a metal tool according to the invention on each piece of wood, so that the stop of said tool comes into contact with the last installed slat which is furthest from the edge of the structure, mounting a screwdriver on the tightening tip of the mechanical screw of the tool, then actuating the screwdriver so that the stop comes into contact with the last installed slat and exerts a pressure force on said slat, said slat then coming into contact with the adjacent slats, and causing the slats to tighten against the edge or against the previously fixed slat, so as to form the deck, floor or cladding.

The method is particularly advantageous for enabling the construction of terraces, floors or cladding, more quickly and efficiently. Particularly advantageously, it allows several terrace, floor and/or cladding boards to be assembled simultaneously and then tightened together, and more specifically, but not exclusively, more than three boards together. It also allows said boards to be brought together without requiring the use of shims between two adjacent boards. Since the pressure force is greatly increased by using a screwdriver, this allows for easier movement and tightening of blades, as well as faster and less expensive installation.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the step of mounting the metal tool on the piece of wood comprises the following sub-steps:
positioning the flat metal part of the tool on the piece of wood, so as to wedge the angular profile against an upper corner of said piece, the clamp system being positioned perpendicular to the length of the piece of wood, then tightening the clamp system so that the movable jaw of said system is positioned in contact with the piece of wood, the tool then being fixed to the piece, and/or the step of actuating the screwdriver allows the screw to rotate, causing the U-shaped element to move on the flat metal part of the second portion of the tool, from a so-called rest position, where the U-shaped element is entirely positioned on the metal part, to a so-called thrust position of the stop against the deck, floor or cladding blade, where the U-shaped element is at least partially offset relative to said metal part, towards the outside of the tool, so as to allow said blades to be tightened, and/or, the method may further comprise an additional step of fixing the blades on the underlying pieces of wood.

Fixing the tool to the underlying piece of wood, using the clamp system, makes it easier to adapt the tool to whatever size piece of wood it is to be mounted on.

Operating the screwdriver allows the blades to be gradually tightened.

Fixing the blades may not be necessary, depending on the type of blade used. Some blades can therefore only be fitted together. In the case of cladding in particular, it may be useful to add an additional fixing to ensure that the blades are held securely, even in a vertical position.

According to one embodiment of the invention, when the terrace, floor and/or cladding blades are long, several tools are arranged on the different pieces of wood supporting the blades, so that the blades can be pushed simultaneously in several places.

Advantageously, a use of several aforementioned metal tools is described, for the adjustment and tightening of long pieces of wood when installing decking, flooring or cladding boards.

The use of several tools for tightening several slats, in order to form a terrace, a floor, or cladding for example, is particularly useful when using large slats. Thus, when the slats reach significant lengths, it may be interesting to position metal tools according to the invention at a certain distance from each other along said slat, so as to have the most regular positioning and tightening of said slats possible. Thus, advantageously, for terrace slats of approximately 4 m, at least three or four tools according to the invention can be positioned on the underlying pieces of wood, including at least two on said pieces positioned at the two ends of the slat. The number of tools required for assembly therefore depends on the length of the slats used.

Advantageously, the clamping force is adapted independently on each tool.

This means that the force required to clamp the blades can be adapted as required.

Advantageously, a use of an aforementioned metal tool in the workshop is described to allow precise and progressive tightening during the assembly or gluing of joinery elements.

The tool can also be used for other purposes, particularly in the workshop, for tightening joinery elements for example.

Brief description of the figures.

• [Fig. 1] est un schéma représentant une vue en perspective d'un outil métallique selon une première variante de réalisation de l'invention.
• [Fig. 2] est un schéma représentant une vue en perspective d'un outil métallique selon une deuxième variante de réalisation de l'invention.
• [Fig. 3] est un schéma représentant une autre vue en perspective d'un outil métallique selon la variante de la [Fig. 2].
• [Fig. 4] est un schéma représentant une vue du dessus de l'outil métallique selon la variante des [Fig. 2] et [Fig. 3].
• [Fig. 5] est une vue représentant la première étape du procédé de serrage selon l'invention, montrant une terrasse en cours de construction.
• [Fig. 6] est une vue représentant la deuxième étape du procédé selon l'invention, montrant deux outils métalliques selon l'invention servant à monter des lames de terrasse.
• [Fig. 7] est une vue représentant la troisième étape du procédé selon l'invention, montrant deux perceuses actionnant les outils métalliques selon l'invention.
• [Fig. 8] est une vue représentant la quatrième étape du procédé selon l'invention, montrant les lames de terrasse serrées par les outils métalliques selon l'invention.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description of a preferred embodiment which follows, in reference to the attached drawings, produced as indicative and non-limiting examples and in which:

• [ Fig. 1 ] is a diagram representing a perspective view of a metal tool according to a first variant embodiment of the invention.
• [ Fig. 2 ] is a diagram representing a perspective view of a metal tool according to a second variant embodiment of the invention.
• [ Fig. 3 ] is a diagram showing another perspective view of a metal tool according to the variant of the [ Fig. 2 ].
• [ Fig. 4 ] is a diagram showing a top view of the metal tool according to the variant of [ Fig. 2 ] And [ Fig. 3 ].
• [ Fig. 5 ] is a view representing the first step of the tightening method according to the invention, showing a terrace under construction.
• [ Fig. 6 ] is a view representing the second step of the method according to the invention, showing two metal tools according to the invention used for mounting terrace boards.
• [ Fig. 7 ] is a view representing the third step of the method according to the invention, showing two drills operating the metal tools according to the invention.
• [ Fig. 8 ] is a view representing the fourth step of the method according to the invention, showing the terrace blades clamped by the metal tools according to the invention.

Description of the embodiments.

As used herein, and unless otherwise indicated, the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", etc., to describe an object merely indicates that different occurrences of similar objects are being referred to and does not imply that the objects so described must be in any given sequence, whether in time, space, ordering, etc. "X and/or Y" means: X alone or Y alone or X+Y. Generally speaking, it will be appreciated that in the various accompanying drawings, the objects are arbitrarily drawn to facilitate their reading.

In general, a metal tool according to the invention is characterized at its base by an angular profile designed to be placed on the corner of a piece of wood, joist or beam. This is held by an adjustable clamp system adaptable to different sections of wood.

Studs or non-slip material are present on the metal faces in contact with the wood to prevent the tool from slipping during tightening.

Drillings on the flat metal part can accommodate screws which will allow, if necessary, to reinforce the fixing of the tool on the joist.

The tool consists of a mechanical screw. It is equipped with a stop, flat or beveled, which will fit onto the element to be tightened. On the other side, a tightening tip suitable for a screwdriver is equipped with a T25 screwing tip, for example, located in the center of a 14mm nut, for example, to be used for more powerful tightening. The tool can therefore be used for localized tightening.

The metal tool will preferably be described, in the figures below, according to its positioning relative to the piece of wood on which said tool is to be mounted. Thus, so-called "internal" elements are the elements positioned in contact with the piece of wood or on the side of the piece of wood, and so-called "external" elements are elements oriented towards the outside of the tool. The term "longitudinal" designates the direction of the length of the element thus characterized.

There figure 1 shows a view of a metal tool according to a first variant embodiment of the invention.

A tool 1, more preferably a metal tool 1 in this first variant comprises a first portion 1A comprising, at a first end, a lower extension 1A.1 positioned perpendicularly and below a longitudinal bar 1A.2, said bar 1A.2 therefore forming a part of the first portion 1A. The perpendicular positioning of the lower extension 1A.1 relative to the longitudinal bar 1A.2 may include a margin of error of ± 5°, depending on manufacturing deviations of the tool 1. This first portion 1A is intended to support a clamp system 1A.3 by means of said lower extension 1A.1.

More specifically, the clamp system 1A.3 comprises a slider 1A.3a configured to fit into a central hole 1A.1a of the lower extension 1A.1. This slider 1A.3a is advantageously threaded, this thread being complementary to a thread of the central hole 1A.1a of the extension 1A.1 (the thread of the central hole not being shown in the figures). At a first end 1A.3ai of the slider 1A.3a is a clamping handle 1A.3b which facilitates the use of the clamp system 1A.3, and allows the slider 1A.3a to slide within the hole 1A.1a of the lower extension 1A.1, in an opening or closing direction of said system 1A.3. At a second end 1A.3aii of the slide 1A.3a is a movable jaw 1A.3c, said jaw 1A.3c having a flat surface 1A.3ci at an end opposite the handle 1A.3b, said surface 1A.3ci being configured to contact a piece of wood, and thus hold the tool 1 on said piece during its use. The piece of wood is not shown in the figure 1 .

The metal tool 1 further comprises a second portion 1B positioned perpendicular to the first portion 1A. This second portion 1B comprises a flat metal part 1B.1 supporting an angular profile 1B.2, said profile 1B.2 extending from and longitudinally to a lower face 1B.1a of said metal part 1B.1. The flat metal part 1B.1 further comprises an inner edge 1B.1b which connects the first portion 1A to the second portion 1B, and an outer edge 1B.1c from which the angular profile 1B.2 extends. By "inner edge" is meant the edge of the metal part 1B.1 positioned inside the tool 1, and by "outer edge" is meant the edge of said part 1B.1 oriented towards the outside of the tool 1. The angular profile 1B.2 is furthermore positioned perpendicular to the lower face 1B.1a of the metal part 1B.1. By "perpendicularly" is meant that the angular profile 1B.2 extends at approximately 90° relative to the plane of the metal part 1B.1, with a margin of error of plus or minus 5°, depending on the manufacturing hazards of the tool 1. The angular profile 1B.2 is configured to be placed on the corner of the part of wood supporting tool 1 (such as a joist or beam), or any piece that can be used to support flooring, cladding or decking boards.

Thus, the piece of wood on which the tool 1 is mounted is engaged with, on the one hand, the movable jaw 1A.3c positioned on one side of said piece, and on the other hand, with the angular profile 1B.2 of the second portion 1B of the tool 1. Thus, the rotation of the slide 1A.3a of the clamp system 1A.3, facilitated by the handle 1A.3b, will allow the tool 1 to be wedged on the piece of wood. The slide 1A.3a also makes it possible to easily adapt the tool 1 according to the size, or section, of the piece of wood on which it is to be mounted. The tool 1 is therefore fixed on the piece of wood by tightening the movable jaw 1A.3c towards the angular profile 1B.2.

The second portion 1B of the tool 1, and more particularly, the flat metal part 1B.1 of the tool 1, furthermore has upper extensions 1B.1d which extend from an upper face 1B.1e of said metal part 1B.1. These extensions 1B.1d extend perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said metal part 1B.1. The perpendicular positioning of said extensions 1B.1d may have a variation of ± 5°, due to the manufacturing hazards of said tool 1. The flat metal part 1B.1 may also comprise holes 1B.1f, preferably positioned at a distance from each other, and which can accommodate screws which will make it possible to improve the fixing of the tool 1 on the underlying piece of wood, in order to improve its retention on said piece. Preferably, at least two upper extensions 1B.1d extend along the metal part 1B.1, each extension 1B.1d comprising a median orifice 1B.1 di configured to accommodate a mechanical screw 1B.3. The extensions 1B.1d are positioned at a distance from each other so as to effectively support said screw 1B.3.

Thus, the mechanical screw 1B.3 is oriented parallel to the angular profile 1B.2 of the second portion 1B of the tool 1. This screw 1B.3 comprises, at a first end 1B.3a, a clamping tip comprising a screwing tip 1B.3b preferably positioned at the center of a nut 1B.3c. Thus, this clamping tip can be screwed by a screwdriver or manually, with a wrench for example, or even multigrip pliers. The screwing tip 1B.3b is preferably, but not exclusively, a T25 screwdriver bit. Thus, another type of screwdriver bit 1B.3b, known to those skilled in the art, may be used, such as, for example, a T22 screwdriver bit. Preferably, the nut 1B.3c is a 14mm nut. If the 14mm nut is particularly preferred, another type of nut 1B.3c may be envisaged, or devices having a similar function. At a second end 1B.3d of the screw 1B.3 is a stop 1B.3e which may be made of wood, metal or plastics, said stop 1B.3e may also be flat or beveled, and being configured to come into contact with elements to be tightened, such as wooden slats or equivalent materials, known to those skilled in the art and used in building construction. These blades can be used, among other things, for the production of cladding, floors, paneling, roof slopes or, but not limited to, terraces. The terms “elements to be tightened” and “blades” will be interchangeable in the remainder of the application, and will also be considered equivalent. Generally speaking, the mechanical screw 1B.3 is a pusher, and may possibly be replaced by an equivalent system known to those skilled in the art, such as a piston for example.

Thus, mounting the bit of a screwdriver in the corresponding screwing bit 1B.3b of the mechanical screw 1B.3 will allow the stop 1B.3e to come into contact with one or more blades, which will be able to be pushed against each other, perpendicular to the orientation of the underlying piece of wood. This makes it easier to tighten the blades, in particular when it is desired to tighten several blades together. This also reduces the efforts required by the fitter, since a greater force will be applied by the screwdriver. Optionally, the bits can be removable, for example by magnetization, so that they can be exchanged after wear. Alternatively, the screwdriver bit can be replaced by a stud of a complementary shape to the free end of the screwdriver. By free end, we mean the end of the screwdriver configured to be in contact with the mechanical screw but without a bit. Alternatively, the screwdriver can also be mounted on the nut.

Advantageously, the metal faces of the tool 1 in contact with the wood may comprise non-slip material 1C, such as a non-slip strip, or studs, in order to facilitate the holding of the tool 1 on the piece of wood. By studs, it is meant that elements can be added by welding, or that orifices can be provided in the walls of the tool in contact with the piece of wood, so as to form protruding points on the side of said piece. These points are configured to be inserted into the piece of wood and prevent the tool from moving. Other materials not described but known to those skilled in the art may also be used. Thus, the metal faces may be an internal face 1B.2a of the angular profile 1B.2. By “internal face” of the angular profile, it is meant the face oriented towards the piece of wood. The flat surface 1A.3ci of the movable jaw 1A.3c may also include non-slip material 1C or studs, as well as the surface of the stop 1B.3e in contact with the wood or the lower face 1B.1a of the metal part 1B.1.

Alternatively, the piece of wood may be any piece capable of supporting slats, preferably wooden slats, such as soft or hard wood, or slats made of other materials commonly used in building construction. The piece of wood may also be made of other materials commonly used in building construction, such as metal materials. Such materials are known to those skilled in the art.

The metal tool 1 according to the invention is particularly suitable for facilitating the installation of blades, in particular in the production of cladding, floors, paneling, roof slopes or terraces. Thus, the tool 1 can be used with materials other than those previously described, or for other uses known to those skilled in the art, which would allow one or more blades to be installed simultaneously.

THE Figures 2 to 4 show different views of the metal tool according to a second variant embodiment of the invention.

As previously, the tool 1 according to the invention is preferably a metal tool 1, which comprises the first portion 1A with, at a first end, the lower extension 1A.1 positioned perpendicularly to a lower face 1A.4 of said portion 1A. “Perpendicularly” means that a tolerance of ±5°, depending on the manufacturing hazards of the tool 1, is tolerated. In a particularly advantageous manner, the first portion 1A also has openings 1A.5, these openings 1A.5 making it possible to reduce the mass of the metal tool 1 without altering its solidity, and also allowing a reduction in the production costs of said tool 1. This first portion 1A is also intended to support the clamp system 1A.3 by means of the lower extension 1A.1 of said portion 1A.

More specifically, the clamp system 1A.3 comprises the slide 1A.3a configured to fit into the central hole 1A.1a of the lower extension 1A.1. This slide 1A.3a is advantageously threaded, this thread being complementary to a thread of the central hole 1A.1a. At the first external end 1A.3ai of the slide 1A.3a is the clamping handle 1A.3b which will, as previously, facilitate the use of the clamp system 1A.3. At the second internal end 1A.3aii of the slide 1A.3a is the movable jaw 1A.3c, said jaw 1A.3c having the flat surface 1A.3ci at its end opposite the handle 1A.3b, said surface 1A.3ci being configured to come into contact with the piece of wood, and thus help to hold the tool 1 on said piece. The piece of wood is not shown on the Figures 2 to 4 .

The metal tool 1 has, in this variant embodiment of the invention, an L shape, with the first portion 1A positioned perpendicular to the internal edge 1B.1b of the second portion 1B, said first and second portions (1A, 1B) forming the L. In a particularly advantageous manner, the L shape is produced in one piece, so as to reduce the weight of the tool 1, to facilitate its manufacture, and to improve the solidity of the tool 1.

More specifically, the second portion 1B comprises the flat metal part 1B.1 positioned perpendicularly and in the same plane as the first portion 1A. Thus, the metal part 1B.1 is continuous with the first portion 1A. This second portion 1B also supports the angular profile 1B.2 which extends from and perpendicularly to the lower face 1B.1a of the flat metal part 1B.1, and longitudinally to the second portion 1B. The angular profile 1B.2 is advantageously positioned at the external edge 1B.1c of the flat metal part 1B.1, therefore at an end opposite the first portion 1A of the tool 1. By "perpendicularly", it is meant that the angular profile 1B.2 is oriented at approximately 90° relative to the plane of the second portion 1B, with a margin of plus or minus 5° depending on the manufacturing errors of the tool 1. Thus, the lower extension 1A.1 of the first portion 1A, and the clamp system 1A.3, are positioned at an end opposite the second portion 1B, so as to be able to frame the piece of wood on which the tool 1 is to be mounted. The flat metal part 1B.1 may also include holes 1B.1f, which may be used to accommodate screws, said screws serving to fix the tool 1 to the underlying piece of wood, so as to improve its hold on said piece.

Thus, the piece of wood on which the tool 1 is mounted is engaged with, on the one hand, the movable jaw 1A.3c positioned on one side of said piece, and on the other hand, with the angular profile 1B.2 of the second portion 1B of the tool 1. Thus, the rotation of the slide 1A.3a of the clamp system 1A.3, facilitated by the handle 1A.3b, will allow the tool 1 to be wedged on the piece of wood. The slide 1A.3a also makes it possible to easily adapt the tool 1 according to the size or section of the piece of wood on which it is to be mounted. The tool 1 is thus fixed on said piece by tightening the movable jaw 1A.3c towards the angular profile 1B.2.

The second portion 1B of the tool 1 further has a U-shaped element 1B.4 specific to this variant embodiment of the invention. This element 1B.4 comprises a flat longitudinal segment 1B.4a configured to extend along the flat metal part 1B.1 of the tool 1, and more specifically, along an upper face 1B.1g of said metal part 1B.1. The element 1B.4 further comprises two lateral upper extensions 1B.4b which extend perpendicularly in the longitudinal direction of the segment 1B.4a, and at two edges 1B.4ai of said longitudinal segment 1B.4a. Each of the two upper lateral extensions 1B.4b further comprises a median orifice 1B.4bi configured to receive the mechanical screw 1B.3. Thus, the second portion 1B of tool 1 supports the mechanical screw 1B.3, said screw 1B.3 being positioned parallel to the angular profile 1B.2.

Particularly advantageously, the flat metal part 1B.1 of the tool 1 further comprises at least one median upper extension 1B.1h positioned between the two lateral upper extensions 1B.4b. The median upper extension 1B.1h further has a median orifice 1B.1hi configured to receive the mechanical screw 1B.3, and an opening 1B.1hii in its lower end configured to receive the flat longitudinal segment 1B.4a of the U-shaped element 1B.4. Thus, the median extension 1B.1h makes it possible to improve the solidity and the maintenance of the mechanical screw 1B.3 in the second portion 1B of the tool 1, while allowing the U-shaped element 1B.4 to be maintained in position and to slide between a rest position, where the U-shaped element 1B.4 is entirely positioned on the metal part 1B.1, and a so-called thrust position, where the U-shaped element 1B.4 is at least partially offset relative to said metal part 1B.1, towards the outside of the tool 1.

The U-shaped element 1B.4 has, on its flat longitudinal segment 1B.4a, a longitudinal groove 1B.4aii which extends in the direction of the length of said segment 1B.4a, preferably over at least 50%, more preferably at least 70% of the total length of the segment 1B.4a. In a complementary manner, the flat metal part 1B.1 or the upper median extension 1B.1h of said part 1B.1 comprise a pin configured to be inserted into the longitudinal groove 1B.4aii (the pin not being visible in these figures). This pin is intended to allow the retention of the U-shaped element 1B.4 on the metal part 1B.1 of the second portion 1B, and nevertheless allows the sliding of said element 1B.4 relative to the flat metal part 1B.1. The mechanical screw 1B.3 is therefore mounted in the holes (1B.4di, 1B. 1hi) of the upper extensions (1B.4b, 1B.1h).

Said mechanical screw 1B.3 comprises, at the first end 1B.3a, the tightening tip, with the screwing tip 1B.3b preferably positioned in the center of the nut 1B.3c. Thus, this tightening tip can be screwed by a screwdriver or manually, with a wrench for example, or even multi-grip pliers. The screwing tip 1B.3b is preferably, but not exclusively, a T25 screwdriver bit. Thus, another type of screwdriver bit 1B.3b, known to those skilled in the art, can be used, such as a T22 screwdriver bit. Preferably, the nut 1B.3c is a 14 mm nut. If the 14 mm nut is particularly preferred, another type of nut 1B.3c can be envisaged, or devices having a similar function. Optionally, the bits can be removable, for example by magnetization, so that they can be exchanged after wear. Alternatively, the screwdriver bit can be replaced by a nipple of a complementary shape to the free end of the screwdriver. By free end, we mean the end of the screwdriver configured to be in contact with the mechanical screw but without a bit. Alternatively, the screwdriver can also be mounted on the nut.

At the second end 1B.3d of said screw 1B.3 is the stop 1B.3e, which can be made of wood, metal or plastics, said stop 1B.3e being configured to come into contact with elements to be tightened, such as wooden blades or equivalent materials, known to those skilled in the art and used in the construction of buildings. These blades can be used, among other things, for the production of cladding, floors, paneling, roof under-slopes or even terraces. Thus, the assembly of blades is carried out perpendicular to the positioning of the underlying piece(s) of wood supporting said blades. Generally speaking, the mechanical screw 1B.3 is a pusher, and can possibly be replaced by an equivalent system known to those skilled in the art, such as a piston for example.

Advantageously, the metal faces of the tool 1 in contact with the wood may comprise, in order to facilitate holding the tool 1 on the wood, non-slip material 1C such as a non-slip strip, or studs, in order to facilitate holding the tool 1 on the piece of wood. By studs, it is meant that elements can be added by welding, or that orifices can be provided in the walls of the tool in contact with the piece of wood, so as to form protruding points on the side of said piece. These points are configured to be inserted into the piece of wood and prevent the tool from moving. Other materials not described but known to those skilled in the art may be used to hold the metal faces on the wood. Thus, the faces metal parts may be the inner face 1B.2a of the angular profile 1B.2. By “inner face” of the angular profile 1B.2 is meant the face facing the piece of wood. The surface of the movable jaw 1A.3c may also comprise non-slip material 1C or studs, as well as the surface of the stop 1B.3e in contact with the wood or the lower face 1B.1a of the metal part 1B.1.

Thus, mounting the bit of a screwdriver on the clamping bit 1B.3b of the mechanical screw 1B.3 will allow the stop 1B.3e to come into contact with one or more blades, which will be able to be pushed against each other, perpendicular to the orientation of the underlying piece of wood. Thus, the actuation of the screwdriver causes the mechanical screw 1B.3 to rotate and the stop 1B.3e to translate to exert a pushing force on the blades. This therefore makes it easier to tighten the blades, in particular when it is desired to tighten several blades together. This also reduces the effort required by the fitter, since the force will be applied by the screwdriver. Alternatively, the upper lateral extension 1B.4b positioned at the opposite end of the clamping bit can form the stop 1B.3e.

Preferably, the first and second portions (1A, 1B) are made in one piece. Alternatively, the piece of wood may be any piece capable of supporting slats. The piece of wood may also be made of other materials commonly used in building construction, such as metal materials. Such materials are known to those skilled in the art.

The metal tool 1 according to the invention is particularly suitable for facilitating the installation of blades, in particular for the production of cladding, flooring or the installation of a terrace. Thus, it can be produced with other materials than those previously described, or for other uses known to those skilled in the art, which would allow one or more blades to be installed simultaneously. Due to the use of a screwdriver, installation is faster and allows the production of a greater force on the blades, hence the possibility of installing several blades simultaneously with a single tool 1, and therefore of having more effective tightening of the two blades.

Alternatively, the tool 1 may be made of rigid materials, such as plastics, having sufficient strength and rigidity to exert the pressure forces on the aforementioned deck, floor and cladding blades (3A, 3A', 3A").

The invention also relates to a method for tightening deck, floor and/or cladding slats. This method will be described in correlation with the Figures 5 to 8 , which each represent one of the steps of carrying out the method according to the invention. The tool is preferably a metal tool according to the invention as described in Figures 1 to 4 .

A structure 3 forming the terrace, the floor or the cladding comprises at least one blade 3A fixed on one or more pieces of wood 3B forming a support. The blade 3A can also be replaced by an edge of the structure 3, such as a wall for example.

In the first step of the tightening process shown in figure 5 , blades (3A', 3A"...) are positioned on the piece(s) of wood 3B, from the edge of the structure 3 formed by the previously fixed blade 3A. The blades 3A' correspond to the blades 3A' positioned between the previously fixed blade 3A and the last installed blade 3A" which will be the furthest from the fixed blade 3A, therefore from the edge of the structure 3, and closest to the tool. More specifically, in this figure, four blades 3A' are shown. The blades (3A, 3A', 3A") may be wooden blades, or any material used in construction, and which may be used for the same purposes. Thus, at least three blades (3A', 3A") are positioned side by side, on the pieces of wood 3B which are to support the structure 3. Particularly advantageously, at least five blades (3A', 3A") may be tightened at the same time.

The second step of the tightening process, shown in figure 6 , consists of mounting a metal tool 1, as described in Figures 1 to 4 , on each piece of wood 3B supporting the structure 3, so that the stop 1B.3e of said tool 1 comes into contact with the blades to be clamped (3A', 3A"), and more particularly, with the last installed blade 3A". This second step advantageously comprises the following sub-steps, which will describe the positioning of a single tool 1 on an underlying piece of wood 3B.

^1st sub-step: the flat metal part 1B.1 of the tool 1 is positioned on the piece of wood 3B, so as to wedge the angular profile (not visible in these figures) of the tool 1 against an upper angle 3B.1 of the piece of wood 3B. The clamp system 1A.3 is thus positioned perpendicular to the length of the piece of wood 3B.

^2nd sub-step: the clamp system 1A.3 is tightened so that the movable jaw (not visible in these figures) of said system 1A.3 comes into contact with the piece of wood 3B. In this way, the tool 1 is fixed on said piece 3B, the piece 3B being held between the movable jaw and the angular profile of the tool 1. Additionally, screws can be inserted into the holes 1B.1f provided for this purpose at the level of the flat metal part 1B.1 of the tool 1, so as to increase the stability of the tool 1 on the piece 3B.

The third stage, represented in the figure 7 , consists in mounting a screwdriver 5 by its tip on the corresponding tightening tip of the mechanical screw 1B.3 of the tool 1. The screwdriver 5 can be mounted on the screwing tip, preferably, but not exclusively, a T25 screwing tip, but can also be any tip known to those skilled in the art. Alternatively, the screwdriver 5 can be mounted on the nut 1B.3c. Advantageously, this nut 1B.3c is a 14 mm nut 1B.3c. Alternatively, the nut 1B.3c can also be replaced by any device known to those skilled in the art, and capable of performing a similar function. If, in this method, the use of the screwdriver is particularly preferred, in particular because of the greater forces that can be exerted on the blades to be tightened, the mechanical screw can also be tightened manually. This tightening will be carried out using devices known to those skilled in the art, such as wrenches or multi-grip pliers, for example.

The fourth step consists in actuating the screwdriver 5 so that the stop 1B.3e of the tool 1 comes into contact with the last installed blade 3A", or blade 3A" furthest from the edge or the fixed blade 3A. The stop 1B.3e then exerts a pressure force (represented by an arrow F) on said blade 3A", the last installed blade 3A" then coming into contact with the adjacent blades 3A', causing a tightening of said blades (3A, 3A', 3A") by so that the structure 3 forms the terrace, floor or cladding. The stop 1B.3e can also be one of the upper lateral extensions of the U-shaped element positioned opposite the clamping end piece.

More specifically, the actuation of the screwdriver 5 allows the rotation of the screw 1B.3, thus causing the movement of the U-shaped element 1B.4 on the flat metal part 1B.1 of the tool 1 from a so-called rest position, where the U-shaped element 1B.4 is entirely positioned on the metal part 1B.1, to a so-called thrust position, where the U-shaped element 1B.4 is at least partially offset relative to said metal part 1B.1, towards the outside of the tool 1. The translation of the stop 1B.3e makes it possible to exert a thrust force against the blades (3A, 3A', 3A"), so as to allow the tightening of said blades (3A, 3A', 3A").

Advantageously, an additional step of fixing the blades (3A, 3A', 3A") to the wooden pieces 3B can be envisaged. The fixing can be carried out by any technique known to those skilled in the art. For example, holes can be provided on the blades (3A, 3A', 3A"), at the location where said blades (3A, 3A', 3A") must be supported by the wooden pieces 3B. Screws can then be inserted into said holes so as to hold the blades (3A, 3A', 3A') on said pieces 3B. This additional step, known to those skilled in the art, is not shown in the figures.

Alternatively, shims may be inserted between two adjacent slats (3A, 3A', 3A'). These shims make it possible to maintain a predefined distance between said slats (3A, 3A', 3A"). Actuation of the screwdriver 5 will make it possible to tighten the slats (3A, 3A', 3A") around the shims. A replacement of said shims may be provided, in a second step, by fixing methods known to those skilled in the art, such as, for example, joints. Alternatively, the slats (3A, 3A', 3A') may be fixed as previously described on the underlying pieces of wood 3B, which will make it possible to maintain a constant spacing between the slats (3A, 3A', 3A"). This variant embodiment, not shown in these figures, may be of interest for installing terraces.

Advantageously, when the blades (3A, 3A', 3A") are long, several tools 1 are arranged on the different pieces of wood 3B supporting each blade (3A, 3A', 3A"), so as to be able to simultaneously push the blades (3A, 3A', 3A") and to form the terrace, the floor or the cladding. Alternatively, a single tool 1 can be used for blades (3A, 3A', 3A") of small sizes, supported only by one piece of wood 3B.

The use of several tools 1 therefore allows the adjustment and tightening of very long pieces of wood 3B when installing, for example, decking or cladding slats (3A, 3A', 3A"). The tightening force can therefore be adapted independently on each tool 1 for optimum adjustment, regardless of the strength of the wood.

In the workshop, tool 1 used on a suitable frame also allows precise and progressive tightening when assembling or gluing joinery elements. It can also be used for similar tightening applications in all types of workshops, for example in welding or mechanics.

Claims (15)

1. A metal tool (1) for clamping cladding, flooring and/or decking boards (3A, 3A', 3A"), which comprises:

   - an angular profile (1B.2) at the base of said tool designed to be placed on an angle (3B.1) of a piece of wood (3B), ledger board or joist,

   - an adjustable clamp system (1A.3) adaptable to different wood sections for holding the tool on the piece of wood, and characterised by

   - a pusher in the form of a mechanical screw (1B.3) equipped on one side with a stop (1B.3e) able to wedge against a board, and, on another side, with a clamping bit (1B.3b) adapted to a screw gun (5), so that, in use, an actuation of the screw gun causes the rotation of the mechanical screw and a translation of the stop to exert a pushing force on the boards.
2. The metal tool (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that:

   - the clamping bit (1B.3b) is equipped with a T25 screwing bit, and optionally, when the screwing bit is present, this bit is located at the centre of a 14 mm nut (1B.3c), and/or

   - the stop (1B.3e) is planar or bevelled.
3. The metal tool (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that metal faces (1B.2a, 1A.3ci, 1B.1a) of the tool (1) in contact with the wood comprise an anti-slip material (1C) or spikes, and/or the tool (1) comprises a planar metal portion (1B.1) comprising holes (1B.1f) for accommodating screws allowing, where necessary, reinforcing the fastening of the tool (1) on a ledger board.
4. The metal tool (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the tool (1) has an L-shape comprising:

   - a first portion (1A) supporting the clamp system (1A.3), and

   - a second portion (1B) supporting the angular profile (1B.2), the first portion (1A) being positioned perpendicularly and fastened to the second portion (1B).
5. The metal tool (1) according to claims 3 and 4, characterised in that the second portion (1B) further comprises at least one planar metal portion (1B.1) continuous with the first portion (1A), said metal portion (1B.1) supporting the angular profile (1B.2) at an end opposite to the end attached to the first portion (1A), the angular profile (1B.2) extending from and perpendicular to a lower face (1B.1a) of the planar metal portion (1B.1).
6. The metal tool (1) according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterised in that the first portion (1A) of the tool (1) comprises, at an end opposite to the second portion (1B), a lower extension (1A.1) with a central orifice (1A.1a) supporting the clamp system (1A.3), said extension (1A.1) being positioned perpendicularly to a lower face (1A.4) of the first portion (1A).
7. The metal tool (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that the clamp system (1A.3) of the first portion (1A) comprises at least one threaded slider (1A.3a) with, at a first outer end (1A.3ai) of said slider (1A.3a), a clamping handle (1A.3b) and, at a second inner end (1A.3aii), a movable jaw (1A.3c), so that the tool (1) is fixed on the piece of wood (3B) by moving the movable jaw (1A.3c) towards the angular profile (1B.2).
8. The metal tool (1) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the second portion (1B) of the tool (1) further comprises a U-shaped element (1B.4) configured to support the mechanical screw (1B.3), said element (1B.4) being positioned on the planar metal portion (1B.1) of the second portion (1B), the U-shaped element (1B.4) comprising:

   - a planar longitudinal segment (1B.4a) extending along an upper face (1B.1e) of said metal portion (1B.1), and

   - two lateral upper extensions (1B.4b) extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the segment (1B.4a) and from two edges (1B.4ai) of said segment (1B.4a), said extensions each comprising (1B.4b) a median orifice (1B.4bi) configured to receive the mechanical screw (1B.3).
9. The metal tool (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that the planar metal portion (1B.1) of the second portion (1B) further comprises a median upper extension (1B.1h), said extension (1B.1h) comprising an opening (1B.1hii) in its lower end configured to receive the longitudinal segment (1B.4a) of the U-shaped element (1B.4), so as to enable lateral sliding of said element (1B.4) along the planar metal portion (1B.1), from a so-called rest position, where the U-shaped element (1B.4) is entirely positioned on the metal portion (1B.1), towards a so-called push position, where the U-shaped element (1B.4) is at least partially offset with respect to said metal portion (1B.1), towards the outside of the tool (1).
10. The metal tool (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that:

    - the U-shaped element (1B.4) further comprises a longitudinal groove (1B.4aii) which extends in the lengthwise direction of the longitudinal segment (1B.4a); and in that

    - the median upper extension (1B.1h) or the upper face (1B.1e) of the planar metal portion (1B.1) comprises at least one pin configured to be inserted into the groove (1B.4aii) of the U-shaped element (1B.4), so as to enable retention of said element (1B.4) in the second portion (1B) of the tool (1), while enabling sliding of said element (1B.4) relative to the planar metal portion (1B.1).
11. The metal tool (1) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterised in that the mechanical screw (IB.3) is oriented parallel to the angular profile (1B.2), so as to enable the mounting of the elements to be clamped (3A, 3A', 3A'') perpendicularly to the positioning of the underlying piece(s) of wood (3B) supporting said elements (3A, 3A', 3A").
12. The metal tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the one or more element(s) to be clamped (3A, 3A', 3A'') consist of boards (3A, 3A', 3A"), such as wood boards (3A, 3A', 3A"), said tool (1) being adapted for clamping cladding, decking or flooring boards (3A, 3A', 3A'').
13. A method for clamping decking, flooring and/or cladding boards (3A, 3A', 3A''), said boards being mounted on one or more piece (s) of wood (3B) so as to form a structure (3) having a rim, characterised in that the method comprises the following steps:

    - installing the boards (3A', 3A'') on the piece(s) of wood (3B), from the rim of the structure (3) or from a previously fixed board (3A),

    - mounting a metal tool (1) according to one of the preceding claims on each piece of wood (3B), so that the stop (1B.3e) of said tool (1) comes into contact with the lastly installed board (3A'') which is the furthest from the rim of the structure (3),

    - mounting a screw gun (5) on the clamping bit (1B.3b) of the mechanical screw (1B.3) of the tool (1), then

    - actuating the screw gun (5) so that the stop (1B.3e) comes into contact with the lastly installed board (3A'') and exerts a pressing force on said board (3A"), said board (3A") then coming into contact with the adjacent boards (3A'), and causing tightening of the boards (3A', 3A") against the rim or against the previously fixed board (3A), so as to form the deck, the floor or the cladding.
14. The method according to claim 13, characterised in that:

    - the step of mounting the metal tool (1) on the piece of wood (3B) comprises the following sub-steps:

    • positioning the planar metal portion (1B.1) of the tool (1) on the piece of wood (3B), so as to wedge the angular profile (1B.2) against an upper angle (3B.1) of said piece (3B), the clamp system (1A.3) being positioned perpendicularly to the length of the piece of wood (3B), then

    • tightening the clamp system (1A.3) so that the movable jaw (1A.3c) of said system (1A.3) is positioned in contact with the piece of wood (3B), the tool (1) then being fixed on the piece (3B);

    and/or

    - the step of actuating the screw gun (5) enables rotation of the screw (1B.3), causing movement of the U-shaped element (1B.4) on the planar metal portion (1B.1) of the second portion (1 B) of the tool (1), from a so-called rest position, where the U-shaped element (1B.4) is entirely positioned on the metal portion (1B.1), towards a so-called push position of the stop (1B.3e) against the decking, flooring or cladding board (3A''), where the U-shaped element (1B.4) is at least partially offset with respect to said metal portion (1B.1), towards the outside of the tool (1), so as to enable tightening of said boards (3A, 3A', 3A");

    and/or the method may further comprise an additional step of fastening the boards (3A, 3A', 3A'') on the underlying pieces of wood (3B).
15. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 14, characterised in that, when the decking, flooring and/or cladding boards (3A, 3A', 3A") are long, several tools (1) are arranged on the different pieces of wood (3B) supporting the boards (3A, 3A', 3A''), so as to be able to push the boards (3A, 3A', 3A'') simultaneously at several locations.

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