AU2014200549A1 - Partition screen - Google Patents

Abstract

A partition screen for a workstation and a workstation made up from a plurality of partition screens. Each partition screen has a frame, at least one screen panel mounted to the frame and a cover. A cable channel is formed along an upper edge of the frame and the cover is adapted to conceal the cable channel. Cables can be concealed in the cable channel and easily routed around the workstation with minimal risk of damage occurring to the cables. 100,500 118 - 50 216 200 M214 ---- 212

Description

- 1 PARTITION SCREEN FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to a partition screen. In particular, the invention relates, but is not limited, to a partition screen for an office workstation having a top access service channel for cabling. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] Reference to background art herein is not to be construed as an admission that such art constitutes common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere. [0003] Internal office spaces are often divided into separate areas with a plurality of workstations using office partitions. The partitions typically provide flexibility in configuring workstations by having modular screens. The partitions are usually arranged in a semi-permanent manner, providing an internal structure whilst also allowing the workstations to be removed or reconfigured if needed. While the screens can be made of a variety of materials, they commonly have a metallic frame, e.g. steel or aluminium, with fabric covered panels. [0004] It is common to have electronic equipment, such as computers, provided at the workstations and there is therefore a need to have power available to the workstations as well as other cabled services such as phone and networking services. Although these services can be provided using external extension cables, these are unsightly and, furthermore, cause tripping hazards. [0005] One way to provide these services in a concealed manner is to have the cables ducted through an internal cable duct of the screens. Typically the internal cable ducts are located around desk height or skirting level, with the cables being fed through the ducts as the partitions are constructed.

-2 [0006] However, this arrangement is labour intensive to set up as cables need to be threaded through and around corner posts and the like. Furthermore, care needs to be taken to ensure the cables are not damaged; for example when passing the cables through metal openings. Once the workstations are assembled it is then also very difficult to make changes or inspect cables (e.g. if there is a faulty cable). OBJECT OF THE INVENTION [0007] It is an aim of this invention to provide a partition screen which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at least provides a useful alternative. [0008] Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0009] In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form, there is provided a partition screen comprising: a frame; at least one screen panel mounted to the frame; and a cover; wherein a channel is formed along an upper edge of the frame and the cover is adapted to conceal the channel. [0010] Preferably the channel is a cable channel sized to receive a plurality of cables. Preferably the frame includes at least two vertical support members separated by horizontal members, wherein at least one horizontal member is a cable rail that includes the channel. Preferably the frame defines a substantially free standing structure of the partition screen to which a plurality of screen panels are mounted. [0011] Preferably the frame comprises at least two vertical support members separated by the cable rail and at least one bottom horizontal -3 member. In a preferred form, the frame further comprises one or more middle horizontal members located between the cable rail and the bottom horizontal member. The one or more middle horizontal members preferably define at least one cable duct. Preferably the partition screen comprises two panels in parallel planes mounted to the frame between the cable rail and the middle horizontal members. The partition screen may also comprise two panels in parallel planes mounted to the frame between the middle horizontal members and the bottom horizontal member. [0012] Preferably the cable rail has at least two side walls and a floor. Preferably the side walls are separated by the floor. Preferably the cable rail has an opening between the side walls opposite the floor. Preferably the side walls taper inwards towards the floor such that the cable rail is narrower adjacent the floor than it is adjacent the opening. Preferably the cable rail has a cross section which is generally trapezoidal shaped with an open top. Preferably the cable rail is substantially symmetrical about a plane that is parallel to the longitudinal axis. [0013] Preferably the cable rail has a divider connector that receives a divider to divide the channel. The divider connector preferably comprises a pair of parallel ridges. The pair of parallel ridges are preferably located on the floor of the cable rail. In an alternative form the divider may be integral with the cable rail. [0014] Preferably the cable rail receives two parallel panels with at least a portion of the walls and floor of the cable rail being located between the two parallel panels. Preferably the cable rail receives each of the two parallel panels in a slot. Preferably each side wall has a slot to receive a panel. Preferably the slots are located on an outer side of the side walls relative to the channel. [0015] Preferably at least a portion of the cover is received by the frame, even more preferably by the cable rail. Preferably the cover is removably received by the frame to allow access to the channel. The cover preferably comprises a base with one or more protrusions. Preferably the base is -4 substantially planar. Preferably at least a portion of the one or more protrusions is inclined relative to the base. Preferably two protrusions are provided. Preferably the two protrusions are angled toward each other relative to the base. Preferably two protrusions extend parallel to each other longitudinally along the base. [0016] Preferably one or more protrusions have a detent. Preferably the cable rail has one or more projections. Preferably at least one projection of the cable rail correspond to the detent of a protrusion of the cover. Alternatively, the cover may have a projection and the cable rail a corresponding detent. Preferably the detent and projections provide resistance to removal of the cover from the cable rail. [0017] Preferably the cable rail has at least one fastening portion. Preferably a plurality of fastening portions are provided. Preferably each fastening portion is adapted to receive and retain a fastener therein, preferably a threaded fastener. In a preferred form the fastening portions are screw flutes. [0018] According to another form of the invention there is provided a workstation system comprising a plurality of partition screens as hereinbefore described. Preferably at least two adjacent screens are connected to each other to provide a substantially continuous channel across both screen panels. [0019] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0020] By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: [0021] Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of a frame according to an embodiment of the invention; [0022] Figure 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of a cable rail portion of the frame illustrated in figure 1; -5 [0023] Figure 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of a cover portion of the frame illustrated in figure; [0024] Figure 4 illustrates a cross sectional view of an upper portion of a partition screen according to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in figure 1; [0025] Figure 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of a horizontal rail portion of the frame illustrated in figure 1; [0026] Figure 6 illustrates a cross sectional view of a cable tray portion of the frame illustrated in figure 1; [0027] Figure 7 illustrates a cross sectional view of a duct lid portion of the frame illustrated in figure 1; [0028] Figure 8 illustrates a cross sectional view of a vertical support member portion of the frame illustrated in figure 1; [0029] Figure 9 illustrates a cross sectional view of a cap portion of the frame illustrated in figure 1; and [0030] Figure 10 illustrates a post of a workstation system according to an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0031] Figure 1 illustrates a frame 10 for a screen partition of a workstation system. The frame 10 has upper horizontal members in the form of a cable rail 100 and a cover 200; middle horizontal members in the form of a horizontal rail 300, a cable tray 400, a second cable rail 500, and a pair of opposed duct lids 600; bottom horizontal member 700; and a pair of vertical support members 800 each with corresponding caps 900. The horizontal members 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 are all located between the vertical support members 800. When assembled, the frame 10 is rigid and provides support for mounting a plurality of panels thereto.

-6 [0032] The frame 10 has a channel 50 formed in an upper edge thereof. The channel 50 is defined by cable rail 100 and is adapted to receive cabling. Figure 2 illustrates a cross section of cable rail 100 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is the same as the second cable rail 500. The cable rail 100 has two opposed side walls 110 separated by a floor 112 to define channel 50. The side walls 110 are substantially inclined, angling outwards from the floor 112 toward an open top 52 such that the cable rail 100 is wider adjacent the open top 52 than it is adjacent the floor 112. [0033] The floor 112 has a pair of parallel ridges 114. The parallel ridges 114 can receive a divider (not shown) which may be used to divide the channel 50 into portions such as, for example, a power portion for power cables and a data portion for data cables. The parallel ridges 114 are located centrally on an internal side of the floor 112 between two fastening portions, in the form of lower screw flutes 116, located on either side of the floor 112. Each side wall 110 has a slot 118 in an upper portion thereof such that the cable rail 100 has two parallel slots 118. Each slot 118 is substantially rectangular in shape. Extending upwardly from the slots 118 are upper structures that each include an upwardly extending trough 120. Projections 122 are located on an inner side of the cable rail 100, extending from inner sides of the troughs 120 in the illustrated embodiment. Below projections 122 are two further fastening portions, in the form of upper screw flutes 124, each located on a respective side wall 110. [0034] Figure 3 illustrates a cross section of a cover 200 which can be received by the cable rail 100 as shown in figure 4. The cover 200 has a base portion 210 and two protrusions 212. The protrusions 212 are inclined relative to the base such that they are angled toward each other. Each protrusion 212 has a detent 214 which is formed by a kink in the protrusion 212. The detent 214 is located toward a distal end of each protrusion 212 relative to the base 210. The base 210 not only bridges the distance between the protrusions 212, but also has two overhangs 216 which extend beyond the protrusions 212 such that the base 210 is wider than the protrusions 212.

-7 [0035] As illustrated in figure 4, the cover 200 is received by the cable rail 100. The protrusions 212 of the cover 200 extend partially into the cable rail 100 and the base 210 of the cover 200 conceals the channel 50, as well as the troughs 120, of the cable rail 100. The width of the base 210 of the cover 200 is substantially identical to the width of the widest portion of the cable rail 100 such that the cover 200 conceals and protects the entire upper portion of the cable rail 100. [0036] The projections 122 of the cable rail 100 and the detents 214 of the protrusions 212 of the cover 200 correspond to each other such that when the cover is received by the cable rail, as shown in figure 4, each projection 122 of the cable rail 100 engages with a detent 214 of the projections 212 of the cover 200. The projections 122 of the cable rail 100 and the detent 214 of the projections 212 of the cover 200 provide a limited resistance to removal of the cover 200 from the cable rail 100 such that the cover 200 can snap into place on the cable rail 100 and then be removed without the need for tools. [0037] Figure 4 also illustrates two parallel panels 20 being received by the slots 118 of the cable rail 100. The panels 20 are in parallel planes and extend downwardly from the cable rail 100 to the horizontal rail 300. The panels 20 may be any suitable panel but they are typically substantially rigid boards which may have a fabric covering, or the like, applied thereto. [0038] Figure 5 illustrates the horizontal rail 300, which in the illustrated embodiment is the same as the bottom horizontal member 700. The horizontal rail 300 has a web 310 which is located between two upper troughs 312 and two lower troughs 314. The upper troughs 312 and lower troughs 314 can receive panels 20 or also a duct lid 600 (see figure 8). Fastening portions, in the form of lower screw flutes 316 are also provided to fasten the horizontal rail 300 to other portions of the frame 10. [0039] Figure 6 illustrates a cross section of the cable tray 400 having two side walls 410 separated by a floor 412. The two side walls 410 extend substantially perpendicularly from the floor 412. Two fastening portions, in the -8 form of screw flutes 414 extend downward from the floor 412 to allow the cable tray 400 to be fastened to other portions of the frame 10. [0040] Figure 7 illustrates a cross section of the duct lid 600 which has a substantially planar wall 610 separating an upper catch 612 and a lower catch 614. The upper catch 612 is configured to be received by the lower troughs 314 of the horizontal rail 300 and the lower catch is configured to be received by the trough 122 of the of the second cable rail 500. The lower troughs 314 of the horizontal rail 300 and the trough 122 of the of the second cable rail 500 both have a groove therein which can be used to secure the upper catch 612 and the lower catch 614, respectively. [0041] Figure 8 illustrates a cross section of the vertical support members 800. The vertical support members 800 have a web 810 that separates two latches 812 and two side troughs 814. The side troughs 814, like trough 122 of the of the cable rail 100, is configured to receive panels 20. The latches 812 can be used to secure a vertical support member of an adjacent frame, a cap 900 (see figure 9) or a post 1000 (see figure 10) to the vertical support members 800. [0042] Figure 9 illustrates a cross section of the cap 900 which has a facing 910 with latches 912 on one side which correspond to the latches 812 of the vertical support members 800. The latches 912 of the cap 900 can be secured to the latches 812 of the vertical support members 800 to provide a level finish to exterior portions of the vertical support members 800 which are not connected to further structural elements, such as post 1000 illustrated in figure 10. [0043] Post 1000 illustrated in figure 10 is a 90 degree post that has four faces 1010 each with a pair of latches 1012. Each face allows a vertical support member 800 of a screen to be secured thereto. The post 1000 illustrated in figure 10 allows four vertical support members 800 to be connected thereto in order to allow screens to be connected at right angles to each other, via their vertical support members 800, to form a larger workstation system with a plurality of workstations.

-9 [0044] It will be appreciated that other post arrangements could be utilised to achieve other workstation angles, such as a triangular shaped post with 120 degrees between partition screens. If one of the faces 1010 of the post 1000 is not to be connected to a vertical support member 800 of a screen, then the cap 900 may be used to cover and protect the otherwise unused latches 1012. [0045] In use, the frame 10 with panels 20 forms a partition screen that can be used to divide a workspace into a plurality of workstations. The cable rail 100 of the frame 10 allows cables, such as power and networking cables, to be easily laid into the channel 50 from the top of the frame 10 in order to route them to their desired location. The removable cover 200 conceals and protects the cables in the channel 50 while selectively providing access to the channel 50 to check or change the cables contained therein. [0046] Advantageously, the cable rail 100 allows cables to be routed, while the partition screen is assembled, easily with minimal risk of damage occurring to the cables. Not only does the easily accessible channel 50 of the cable rail 100 reduce the likelihood of the cables being damaged, but it significantly reduces labour required to lay the cables, or subsequently maintain or inspect the cables. [0047] The middle horizontal members in the form of the horizontal rail 300, cable tray 400, second cable rail 500, and opposed duct lids 600 also allow cabling from the channel 50 of the cable rail 100 of the frame 10 to be routed to approximately desk height for connection, if required. Furthermore, they also allow services to be routed in the traditional manner, if desired. The partition screen of the present invention provides a modular workstation that is easy to arrange and use, particularly for cable laying. [0048] In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not to be -10 interpreted as being limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer, component, or step etc. [0049] The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention. [0050] In this specification, the terms 'comprises', 'comprising', 'includes', 'including', or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.

Claims (19)

1. A partition screen comprising: a frame; at least one screen panel mounted to the frame; and a cover; wherein a cable channel is formed along an upper edge of the frame and the cover is adapted to conceal the cable channel.

2. The partition screen of claim 1, wherein the cable channel is sized to receive a plurality of cables.

3. The partition screen of claim 1 or 2, wherein the frame includes at least two vertical support members separated by horizontal members, and wherein at least one horizontal member is a cable rail that includes the cable channel.

4. The partition screen of claim 3, wherein the frame defines a substantially free standing structure of the partition screen to which a plurality of screen panels are mounted.

5. The partition screen of claim 3 or 4, wherein the frame comprises at least two vertical support members separated by the cable rail and at least one bottom horizontal member.

6. The partition screen of any one of claims 3 to 5, further comprises one or more middle horizontal members located between the cable rail and the bottom horizontal member, wherein the one or more middle horizontal members define at least one cable duct. - 12

7. The partition screen of claim 6, wherein the partition screen comprises two panels in parallel planes mounted to the frame between the cable rail and the one or more middle horizontal members and two panels in parallel planes mounted to the frame between the one or more middle horizontal members and the bottom horizontal member.

8. The partition screen of any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the cable rail has at least two side walls separated by a floor.

9. The partition screen of claim 8, wherein, the side walls taper inwards towards the floor.

10. The partition screen of any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the cable rail has a cross section which is generally trapezoidal shaped with an open top.

11. The partition screen of any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the cable rail has a divider connector that receives a divider to divide the cable channel.

12. The partition screen of claim 11, wherein the divider connector is located on the floor of the cable rail.

13. The partition screen of claim 11 or 12, wherein the divider connector comprises a pair of parallel ridges.

14. The partition screen of any one of claims 3 to 13, wherein the cable rail receives each of two screen parallel panels in a slot. - 13

15. The partition screen of any one of claims 3 to 14, wherein at least a portion of the cover is received by the cable rail.

17. The partition screen of claim 15, wherein the cover comprises a base with one or more protrusions having a detent, wherein the cable rail has one or more projections and at least one projection of the cable rail corresponds to the detent.

18. The partition screen of any one of claims 3 to 17, wherein the cable rail has at least one fastening portion adapted to receive and retain a fastener therein.

19. A workstation system comprising a plurality of partition screens according to any one of the preceding claims.

20. The workstation system of claim 19, wherein at least two adjacent partition screens are connected to each other such that they provide a substantially continuous cable channel.