AU2024200749A1

AU2024200749A1 - Wall assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2024200749A1
Application number: AU2024200749A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Stephen John Matthews
Original assignee: Kingsmead Holdings Sw Ltd
Current assignee: Kingsmead Holdings Sw Ltd
Priority date: 2023-02-08
Filing date: 2024-02-07
Publication date: 2024-08-22
Also published as: GB2626958A

Abstract

A wall assembly is provided, the wall assembly comprising: a ballast assembly comprising: a base member; and a ballast member disposed on the base member, the ballast member comprising a body having a front and a rear; the wall 5 assembly further comprising: a lower wall panel support assembly; an upper wall panel support assembly; a wall panel disposed adjacent the front of the body of the ballast member, the wall panel having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the lower wall panel support assembly engages with the lower portion of the wall panel and the upper wall panel support assembly engages with the upper 10 portion of the wall panel; and an intermediate support assembly having a support member extending from the ballast assembly to the upper wall panel support assembly, the intermediate support member extending from a position on the ballast assembly that is spaced from the front of the ballast member. A ballast member for use in a wall assembly is also provided. 1/10 Figure 1 40 R6 400 IZ4-c F A

Description

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A WALL ASSEMBLY

The present invention relates to a wall assembly, in particular a temporary wall assembly for use as a partition or the like.

There are many situations where it is required to provide a temporary structure comprising one or more panels, such as a wall. Such structures should preferably be simple to construct and install and be simple to dismantle. The structure should preferably use a minimum amount of material and produce little or no waste as a result of its use.

For example, it is frequently necessary to carry out work, such as maintenance, construction or renovation work, in workplace areas, such as offices, retail premises and the like. If the work required is of a sufficient scale and time and resources allow, it is possible to close off the entire workplace area, to limit access and exposure to the work activities to those persons carrying out the work. However, in many situations, it is preferred or required to maintain operations within the workplace area while the work is being carried out. For example, it may be required to refit or renovate a portion of an office workspace, while still allow office personnel to carry out their normal duties in an adjacent or adjoining area. In such a case, it is necessary to separate the office personnel from the work being carried out. Similarly, it is very common that retail premises undergo a modernisation or refit from time to time. While it would be preferable to close the entire retail operation until such work has been fully completed, it is often necessary to allow the retail operations to continue while work is still underway. In such a case, it is essential to separate customers of the retail operation from the work area.

In such cases, it is well known to construct partitions between the areas in which maintenance work, construction work and the like are being carried out and areas where other activities are to be continued, such as office work or retail operations. Such partitions are constructed and erected on a temporary basis. The partitions are typically constructed from timber and sheet materials, such as plywood, fibre board and the like. The partitions are constructed in a bespoke manner, to fit the particular space in which they are required. This leads to a number of significant problems. First, the partitions are frequently required to be moved during the work process, for example as a refit or renovation progresses through a floor or building. The manner in which the partitions are constructed and erected does not lend them to be easily dismantled, moved and re-erected. Rather, it is frequently the case that the partitions are partially or even wholly dismantled and rebuilt from new. In most cases, this involves the use of fresh timber and materials, with significant portions of the existing partition being unused and discarded. Second, when the work is completed and the partitions are no longer required, they are dismantled and the entire partition is discarded. Typically, the materials of the partition are disposed of by way of land-fill. As will be appreciated, this represents a significant waste of materials that can be reused. Further, such building activities contribute significantly to the volume of waste materials being disposed of, in particular by way of land-fill.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide an improved system for constructing temporary partitions, for example in the aforementioned workspaces. It would be particularly advantageous if the components of the system could be dismantled and reused, with the minimum of waste being formed.

US 4,021,973 discloses a partition system. The system comprises wall panels having brackets affixed thereto. Adjacent panels are connected together by posts having a circular array of keyways arranged around their outer surface. The edge of each panel is provided with a lug for engaging with a keyway on an adjacent post.

EP 2360322 discloses a modular partition system with panels of stretched fabric. The system comprises a mast and two panels. Each panel comprises a frame covered with a canvas. The perimeter of the rear face of the canvas has hooks cooperating with the retainers on the perimeter of the frame. The mast is provided with one or more profiles for fastening the mast to the panels. A mast canvas is retained on the mast to cover at least the visible portion of the mast.

More recently, AU 2012/203098 and AU 2022/15184 both disclose a temporary wall structure comprising a plurality of wall panels mounted to and supported by a plurality of vertical posts. Each post is supported by a weighted assembly comprising a vertical member engaging the post and a stack of weighted bodies. A retaining member extends from the vertical member and engages with the top surface of the uppermost weight body.

AU 2015/100090, AU 2015/100091, AU 2016/200473, AU 2016/216660 and AU 2019/101431 relate to a temporary wall structure similar to that of AU 2012/203098 and AU 2022/15184, but in which each post is provided with a pair of opposing elongate slotted formations for receiving the edge portions of a pair of wall panels.

Vertical posts having slotted formations for receiving panels are also disclosed in AU 2017/216504. Each post is supported by a complex weighted support assembly.

AU 2015/101131 and AU 2015/101162 disclose temporary wall assemblies comprising wall panels supported by posts. Each post is held in a post holder comprising a vertical tube mounted to a weighted base assembly.

AU 2018/203676, US 10,731,373 and US 11,255,102 each discloses a support assembly for a structure, such as a temporary wall. The assembly comprises a nested arrangement of weighted bodies, a vertical post extending upwards through openings in the weighted bodies and an angled support member for the post. Panels for forming a wall are mounted to the front edges of the vertical posts.

CN 214145001 U discloses a temporary wall system, in which a wall panel is held in the vertical orientation by a base assembly and one or more vertical supports.

CN 218375825 U describes and shows a temporary fence assembly, in which a wall panel is held in the vertical orientation by a base assembly and one or more vertical supports.

FR 2602809 discloses a temporary partition formed from a plurality of vertical slats and posts. The slats and posts are connected by an articulated joint comprising male and female connecting members.

In general, the prior art assemblies rely upon posts for supporting vertical wall panels to form a temporary partition or hoarding. A variety of designs of support assembly have been proposed for supporting the posts.

GB 2480096 discloses a temporary partitioning system comprising, in use, vertically elongate interlocking components. The temporary partitioning system comprises a plurality of components, each component being a hollow, elongate member. Each component is releasably connectable to an adjacent component by a connection means. The connection means comprises a first connecting member provided on a first component and a second connecting member provided on a second component. In use the first and second components are connected such that lateral movement between the first and second components is prevented, while allowing the first component to move along its longitudinal axis with respect to the second component. The components may be formed from extruded, recycled plastic. The first and second connecting members may comprise resilient male and female formations that extend the entire length of the components. The system may include wall, corner post, cavity, and door or window frame components.

The system of GB 2480096 offers the advantage of assembling a wall for use as a partition or hoarding by interconnecting wall panels, adjacent wall panels being directly connected to each other by the connection means.

US 5,613,338 discloses a wall assembly comprising a plurality of interconnected panels. Each panel is formed with interlocking edge assemblies, which can be engaged to connect adjacent panels.

US 2009/090,475 discloses a system of panels for forming a wall assembly. The panels are provided with locking assemblies mounted on one or more edge portions of each panel for joining adjacent panels.

There is a need for an improved wall assembly, in particular a temporary wall assembly that may be assembled and disassembled as required. It would be advantageous if the wall assembly could be simple in its construction, preferably comprising a minimum number of components, be able to be assembled in a range of different arrangements and sizes, and be easy to erect and take down.

According to the present invention, there is provided a wall assembly comprising:

a ballast assembly comprising:

a base member; and

a ballast member disposed on the base member, the ballast member comprising a body having a front and a rear;

the wall assembly further comprising:

a lower wall panel support assembly;

an upper wall panel support assembly;

a wall panel disposed adjacent the front of the body of the ballast member, the wall panel having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the lower wall panel support assembly engages with the lower portion of the wall panel and the upper wall panel support assembly engages with the upper portion of the wall panel; and

an intermediate support assembly having a support member extending from the ballast assembly to the upper wall panel support assembly, the intermediate support member extending from a position on the ballast assembly that is spaced from the front of the ballast member.

The wall assembly comprises a ballast assembly. The ballast assembly comprises a base member. In use, the base is generally disposed on the surface on which the wall assembly is positioned. In use, a ballast member, as described in more detail hereinbelow, is disposed on the base member. The base member may have any suitable form for accommodating the ballast member disposed thereon. Preferably, the base member comprises a generally planar base plate for accommodating the ballast member.

As previously noted, in use, a ballast member is located on the base member. The base member may have a footprint, that is the area covered by the base plate, that is the same as the footprint of the ballast member, larger than the footprint of the ballast member or smaller than the footprint of the ballast member. In one preferred embodiment, the base member has a foot print that is smaller than the footprint of the ballast member, such that the base plate is substantially or completely obscured by the ballast member in use.

In one preferred embodiment, the base member comprises an engagement portion for engaging with the ballast member. In this way, the ballast member is located on the base member and is prevented from moving laterally relative to the base member. Any suitable form for engaging with the ballast member may be employed for the engagement portion. In one preferred embodiment, the engagement portion has a first engagement form which is compatible to engage with and locate a second engagement form disposed on the ballast member. The first engagement form may comprise one or more recesses in the base member and/or one or more protrusions extending from the base member. For example, the engagement portion of the base member may comprise one or more engagement members protruding from the base member, such as one or more elongate ridges or protrusions. Alternatively or in addition, the engagement portion may comprise one or more elongate recesses or slots formed in the base member.

The base member may be formed from any suitable material. In one preferred embodiment, the base member is formed from a metal, preferably steel, such as mild steel or stainless steel.

The ballast assembly further comprises a ballast member. The ballast member is located on the base member. In use, the ballast assembly provides ballast for stabilising the wall assembly. Ballast members for providing ballast for wall assemblies of the type of the present invention are known in the art.

The ballast member may be formed from a material having a high density to provide the necessary weight for stabilising the wall assembly. In such cases, the ballast member may be solid or substantially solid, with a few or no cavities therein. Alternatively, and more preferably, the ballast member is provided with one or more cavities therein, which may be filled with a ballast material. This allows the ballast member to be formed from a lower density material, such as a plastic. Preferably, the ballast member is hollow, more preferably with a single cavity therein for holding a ballast material.

Suitable ballast materials for filing the one or more cavities in the ballast member include finely divided materials, such as sand, and liquids. One preferred ballast material is water. Alternatively, the ballast member may be filled with a solid material, for example cement or concrete.

The body of the ballast member may have any suitable shape. The body of the ballast member has a front and a rear. The front of the body is adjacent the wall member and the rear of the body is spaced from the wall member. The body of the ballast member may be considered to have a length extending from the front to the rear, a width and a height.

In one preferred embodiment, the body of the ballast member has a height that is less than the length and/or the width, most preferably less than both the length and the width. A ratio of the height to the length of the body of the ballast member may be from 1:2 to 1:10, preferably from 1:2.5 to 1:9, more preferably from 1:3 to 1:8, still more preferably from 1:4 to 1:7, especially from 1:5 to 1:6.

The body of the ballast member may have a uniform width along its length. In one embodiment, the body of the ballast member is tapered from the front to the rear. Preferably, the width of the body reduces in the direction from the front to the rear. A ratio of the width of the front of the body to the width of the rear of the body may be from 1.2:1 to 4:1, preferably from 1.5:1 to 3:1, more preferably from 1.75:1 to 2:1. Preferably, in plan view, the body of the ballast member is a trapezium, with the front and rear edges of the body parallel, more preferably an isosceles trapezium, that is a trapezium that is symmetrical about a line extending from the centre of the front of the body to the centre of the rear of the body.

The ballast member is disposed on the base member. The body of the ballast member may be considered to have a lower surface that contacts the base member and an upper surface. As discussed above, it is preferred that the base member engages with the ballast member, in order to locate the ballast member in position on the base member. Preferably, the body of the ballast member comprises a engagement portion on its lower surface having a second engagement form for engaging with the first engagement form of the engagement portion of the base member. The second engagement form may comprise one or more recesses extending in to the lower surface of the body of the ballast member and/or one or more protrusions extending from the lower surface of the body of the ballast member. For example, the engagement portion of the lower surface of the body of the ballast member may comprise one or more engagement members protruding from the lower surface, such as one or more elongate ridges or protrusions. Alternatively or in addition, the engagement portion may comprise one or more elongate recesses or slots formed in the lower surface of the body of the ballast member.

The ballast assembly may comprise a single ballast member disposed on the base member. Alternatively, the ballast assembly may comprise a plurality of ballast members disposed on the base member, preferably in a stacked arrangement. In one embodiment, the ballast assembly comprises a stack of similarly configured or substantially identical ballast members arranged in a stack. In this way, the weight of the ballast being applied to the wall assembly may be varied to meet the needs of different arrangements of the wall assembly and provide the necessary stability. For example, wall assemblies that extend higher may require more ballast than a wall assembly of a lower height.

Preferably, each ballast member in the stacked arrangement comprises an engagement portion for engaging with a ballast member located thereon and/or for engaging with a ballast member on which it rests. In this way, the ballast members in the stack are located and prevented from lateral movement. Suitable engagement forms for engaging one ballast member with another ballast member in the stacked arrangement are as described hereinbefore for locating the ballast member on the base member.

In one preferred embodiment, the body of the or each ballast member comprises a first engagement portion on its lower surface having a second engagement form as hereinbefore described and a second engagement portion on its upper surface having a first engagement form as hereinbefore described, the first engagement form corresponding with second engagement form such that the first engagement form of one ballast member is able to engage with the second engagement form of another ballast member.

In one preferred embodiment, the body of the or each ballast member is provided with a first engagement potion on its lower surface having a first engagement form comprising one or more recesses extending into the lower surface of the body and a second engagement portion on its upper surface having a second engagement form comprising one or more protrusions extending from the upper surface of the body. In use, one such ballast member may be stacked on another such ballast member, with the one or protrusions of the second engagement form of the lower ballast member extending into the one or more recesses of the first engagement form of the upper ballast member.

In embodiments comprising a stacked arrangement of a plurality of ballast members, the uppermost ballast member may be of a different design. For example, as the uppermost ballast member does not need to engage with a member above it, the uppermost ballast member may have a height the same as or significantly greater than its length, to provide additional weight to the wall assembly. In one embodiment, the uppermost ballast member has a generally truncated pyramid form.

The wall assembly further comprises a lower wall panel support assembly. In use, the lower wall panel support assembly engages with a lower portion of the wall panel. The lower wall panel support assembly is preferably disposed adjacent the front of the ballast assembly, more preferably the front of the body of the ballast member.

The lower wall panel support assembly may comprise any arrangement suitable for engaging, preferably releasably, with the lower portion of the wall panel. In one preferred embodiment, the lower wall panel support assembly comprises a support member for extending into a cavity within the lower portion of the wall panel. Preferably, the support member extends substantially vertically within the cavity in the lower portion of the wall panel.

In one preferred embodiment, the lower wall panel support assembly is connected to the base member. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the lower wall panel support assembly comprises a support member extending upwards, more preferably substantially vertically, from the base member.

In one preferred embodiment, the wall assembly comprises a first lower wall panel support assembly connected to the base member and a second lower wall panel support assembly connected to the base member. The first and second lower wall panel support assemblies may engage with the lower portion of the same wall panel or the lower portions of first and second adjacent wall panels in the wall assembly.

The wall assembly further comprises an upper wall panel support assembly. In use, the upper wall panel support assembly engages with an upper portion of the wall panel. The upper wall panel support assembly may comprise any arrangement suitable for engaging, preferably releasably, with the upper portion of the wall panel.

In one preferred embodiment, the upper wall panel support assembly comprises a support member that engages with the upper edge portion of the wall panel. In one embodiment, the support member engages with a portion of the upper edge of the wall panel. In an alternative embodiment, the support member engages with the upper edge of the wall panel, preferably a major portion of the upper edge of the wall panel, more preferably substantially or completely the entire length of the upper edge of the wall panel. In addition, or alternatively, the support member may engage with the upper portion, more preferably the upper edge portion, of two or more adjacent wall panels.

The support member may have any suitable form to engage with the upper edge portion of the wall panel. Preferably, the support member extends from one side of the edge portion to the other side of the edge portion. In one preferred embodiment, the support member has an inverted U-shaped, which extends over the upper edge of the wall panel and over the two opposing adjacent edge portions.

The wall assembly further comprises a wall panel. The wall panel is disposed adjacent the front of the body of the ballast member. Typically, the wall panel extends upwards from the surface on which the wall assembly is located in front of the ballast assembly, more preferably in front of the body of the ballast member. The wall panel may extend at any desired angle to the surface. In many embodiments, the wall panel extends substantially vertically.

As hereinbefore described, the wall panel has an upper portion and a lower portion. In this respect, the term 'upper portion' is a reference to a portion of the wall panel that is above the centre of the wall panel and the term 'lower portion' is a reference to a portion of the wall panel that is below the centre of the wall panel.

The lower portion of the wall panel is engaged by the lower wall panel support assembly. In this way, the lower wall panel support assembly acts to hold and locate the wall panel at its lower edge. As previously described, the lower wall panel support assembly may engage the lower portion of the wall panel in any suitable manner. In one preferred embodiment, the wall panel is provided with a cavity in its lower portion, into which the lower wall panel support assembly can extend. Preferably, the lower wall panel support assembly extends into a cavity within the wall panel through an opening in the lower edge of the wall panel.

In one particularly preferred embodiment, the lower portion of the wall panel is substantially hollow, with the cavity being defined between two opposing, parallel major wall members of the panel. The wall panel may comprise one or more ribs extending across the cavity between the major wall members to provide the panel with rigidity and strength. In one preferred embodiment, the major portion of the wall panel, more preferably substantially all of the wall panel is hollow, having a cavity defined between the two opposing wall members.

As described previously, the upper portion, more preferably the upper edge portion of the wall panel is engaged by the upper wall panel support assembly.

In use, the lower and upper wall panel support assemblies act to support and locate the wall panel in the wall assembly and to hold the wall panel at the correct orientation, most preferably substantially vertically. The wall assembly may comprise a single wall panel. More typically, the wall assemblies will require two or more wall panels to form a wall of the desired size and shape. In many cases, the wall panels will be located adjacent one another, with an edge of one panel close to or in contact with an edge of the adjacent panel, to form a continuous wall.

In one preferred embodiment, the wall assembly comprises a plurality of panels, with a first panel being engaged directly with an adjacent panel along an edge. In this respect, a 'direct' engagement of one panel with an adjacent panel is a reference to the panels being connected to each other without the need for an intermediate structure, such as a post. Any suitable means may be employed to engage two adjacent panels in the wall assembly in this manner. Preferably, the first panel is provided with a first panel engagement portion at or along one edge and the second panel is provided with a second panel engagement portion at along one edge, the first panel engagement portion engaging, preferably releasably, with the second engagement portion. Suitable arrangements for engaging two adjacent panels in this manner are known in the art. Preferably, the first panel engagement portion comprises a male connection member, for example one or more protrusions, such as a ridge or a tongue, and the second panel engagement portion comprises a female connection member, for example one or more recesses, for receiving the male connection member. A panel of this form is known from GB 2480096 A.

The wall assembly may comprise one or more wall panels that are flat, that is have their major surfaces extending in a single plane to provide a flat wall surface. Alternatively or in addition, the wall assembly may comprise one or more wall panels that are curved, providing a wall having a curved wall surface. In many embodiments, the wall assembly comprises one or more wall panels which are curved in the horizontal direction.

The wall assembly further comprises an intermediate support assembly having a support member extending from the ballast assembly to the upper wall panel support assembly. In particular, the support member extends from a position on the ballast assembly that is spaced from the front of the ballast assembly, in turn meaning the support member extends from a position on the ballast assembly that is spaced rearwards from the wall panel. This in turn means the support member extends upwards and forwards at a non-zero angle to the vertical from the ballast assembly to the upper support assembly. In use, the intermediate support assembly provides additional support for the wall panel, in particular acting to maintain the wall panel at the desired angle, most typically substantially vertically. By extending upwards and forwards, as described above, the support member provides a degree of triangulation to the support provided to the wall panel, in turn increasing the stability and rigidity of the wall assembly.

The support member may have any suitable form. Preferably, the support member is elongate, for example a bar, pole or rod.

The support member is connected to the ballast assembly at a position rearwards of the front of the ballast assembly and, hence, rearwards of the wall panel. In one embodiment, the support member is connected to the base member, for example to one side of the base member or to the rear of the base member. Preferably, the support member is connected to the ballast member. More preferably the support member is connected to a rear portion of the ballast member, still more preferably to a portion of the ballast member at or adjacent the rear edge of the ballast member.

In embodiments where the ballast assembly comprises a single ballast member, the support member is connected at its lower end to the ballast member. In embodiments where the ballast assembly comprises a plurality of ballast members, the support member may be connected to the lowermost ballast member, for example with one or more ballast members disposed on the lowermost ballast member and between the support member and the wall panel. Alternatively, where the ballast assembly comprises a plurality of ballast members, for example a stack comprising a plurality of similarly configured or substantially identical ballast members, the support member may be connected to the uppermost ballast member of the stack.

The support member is connected at its lower end to the ballast assembly, as described above. Preferably, the angle at which the support member extends from the ballast assembly is variable. In this way, the intermediate support assembly can be used with wall panels of different heights.

In one preferred embodiment, the intermediate support assembly comprises a lower mount connecting the support member to the ballast assembly. The lower mount may have any suitable form. In one preferred embodiment, the lower mount comprises a receptacle for receiving the lower end of the support member. The receptacle may be at a fixed orientation to the ballast assembly. Alternatively and more preferably, the receptacle is moveable relative to the ballast assembly, in particular moveable to allow the angle at which the support member extends from the ballast assembly to be adjusted. In one preferred embodiment, the lower mount comprises a mounting plate for attaching to the ballast assembly.

As noted above, the support member of the intermediate support assembly extends to and is connected to the upper wall panel support assembly. The support member may connect to the upper wall panel support assembly by any suitable arrangement, for example by a plate or bracket. Preferably, the angle at which the support member extends from the upper wall panel support assembly is variable. In this way, the intermediate support assembly can be used with wall panels of different heights.

In one preferred embodiment, the intermediate support assembly comprises an upper mount connecting the support member to the upper wall panel support assembly. The upper mount may have any suitable form. In one embodiment, the upper mount comprises a mounting plate for attaching to the upper wall panel support assembly. Alternatively, the upper mount may comprise a bracket extending over the upper wall panel support assembly, for example with a mounting plate extending from the bracket for attaching to the support member of the intermediate support assembly. The support member is preferably pivotably connected to the upper mount, for example by way of a bolt or a pin. In this way, the angle at which the support member extends to the upper wall panel support assembly and the wall panel may be varied. The upper mount may comprise a receptacle for receiving the upper end of the support member. The receptacle may be at a fixed orientation to the upper wall panel support assembly. Alternatively, the receptacle is moveable relative to the upper wall panel support assembly, in particular moveable to allow the angle at which the support member extends from the upper wall panel support assembly to be adjusted.

The support member of the intermediate support assembly may have a fixed length. More preferably, the length of the support member is adjustable, allowing the length of the support member to be varied to accommodate different arrangements of the wall assembly. For example, the support member may comprise a first portion and a second portion, with the second portion being moveable lengthwise relative to the first portion. In one preferred embodiment, the support member comprises a first portion and a second portion, the second portion being arranged and moveable telescopically relative to the first portion. In embodiments where the length of the support member is adjustable, the support member is preferably provided with a lock for locking the length of the support member, for example a pin or a clamp.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a ballast member for a wall assembly, the ballast member comprising:

a body having an upper surface and a lower surface, the body further having a front edge and a rear edge, in use of the ballast member the front edge being disposed adjacent a wall panel of the wall assembly;

wherein the upper surface is provided with a mounting portion for receiving a mount of a support member, the mounting portion being disposed rearwards of the front of the body.

Details and preferred features of the ballast member are as described above.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a wall assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the wall assembly of Figure 1 in the direction of arrow A;

Figure 3 is an enlarged side view of the ballast assembly of the wall assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 3a is a cross-sectional view of the lower edge portion of the wall panel and base member of the wall assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of the upper edge portion of the wall panel of the wall assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a base member of the wall assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the top of the ballast member of the wall assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the bottom of the ballast member of the wall assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a wall panel for use in the wall assembly of Figure 1; and

Figure 9 is a side view of a wall assembly having an alternative arrangement of the ballast assembly.

References herein to such terms as'upper', 'lower', 'above', 'below'and similar terms are used to indicate direction and relative positions with the components of the wall assembly in their normal orientation and position during use.

Turning to Figure 1, there is shown a plan view of a wall assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. The wall assembly is shown in side view in Figure 2. The wall assembly, generally indicated as 2, comprises a plurality of ballast assemblies, generally indicated as 4, a wall generally indicated as 6 comprising a plurality of wall panels 8a, 8b, 8c and 8d located in front of the ballast assemblies 4. The wall assembly 2 further comprises a lower wall panel support assembly, generally indicated as 20, for locating the lower portion of a wall panel. In addition, the wall assembly 2 comprises an upper wall panel support assembly, generally indicated as 30, for locating and supporting the upper portion of a wall panel. An intermediate support assembly, generally indicated as 40, extends between each ballast assembly 4 and the upper portion of the wall 6.

The wall assembly 2 has a front side, indicated as F in Figures 1 and 2, and a rear side, indicated as R in Figures 1 and 2.

The ballast assembly 4 comprises a base member 300. The base member 300 is shown in detail in Figure 5 and is described in more detail below. In use, the base member 300 is the lowermost component of the ballast assembly 4 and sits on the surface, such as a floor. The ballast assembly 4 further comprises a ballast member 400 located on the base member 300. Details of the ballast member 400 are shown in Figures 6 and 7 and described in more detail hereinafter.

The wall assembly 2 comprises a wall 6. The wall 6 is formed from a plurality of wall panels 8a to 8d. In the embodiment shown in the figures, each panel 8a to 8d extends substantially vertically. Wall panels 8a, 8b and 8c are substantially flat panels having a front surface and a rear surface extending in a single plane. The wall panel 8d is curved in the horizontal direction. Each wall panel 8a to 8d has a horizontal centre line A, a lower portion 1Oa to 1Od below the centre line A and an upper portion 12a to 12d above the centre line A. Each of the wall panels 8a to 8d is connected along a vertical edge to the or each adjacent wall panel, for example by a male connection member disposed on one panel engaging with a female connection member disposed on the adjacent panel. Such arrangements for connecting panels in this way are known in the art, for example from GB 2480096 A. One embodiment of the wall panel is shown in Figure 8 and described in more detail below.

The wall assembly 2 further comprises a lower wall panel support assembly 20, for locating the lower portion of a wall panel. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the lower wall panel support assembly 20 is mounted on and extends from the base member 300, as shown in Figure 5 and described in more detail below. The lower wall panel support assembly 20 engages with the lower edge portion of the wall panel 8, as shown in cross-section in Figure 3a.

The wall assembly 2 comprises an upper wall panel support assembly 30, for locating and supporting the upper portion of a wall panel. The upper wall panel support assembly 30 is shown in more detail in Figure 4. In the embodiment shown, the upper wall support assembly 30 comprises an inverted U-shaped channel member 32, which extends over and along the top edge of the panel 8. Each panel 8 may be provided with a respective channel member 32. More preferably, as shown in the figures, a single channel member 32 is provided on the upper edge of a plurality of adjacent wall panels 8.

The intermediate support assembly 40 extends between each ballast assembly 4 and the upper portion of the wall 6. In particular, as shown in Figure 2, the intermediate assembly extends from the ballast assembly 4 to the upper portion 12a of the wall panel 8, more particular to the upper edge portion of the panel 8. The intermediate support assembly 40 comprises an elongate support member 42, having a lower portion 42b and an upper portion 42a. The two portions 42a, 42b are arranged telescopically, to allow the length of the support member 42 to be adjusted. A clamp 44 is provided to releasably lock the upper and lower portions 42a, 42b together in the desired position.

As shown in Figure 3, the lower end of the lower portion 42b of the support member 42 is mounted to the rear edge portion of the upper surface of the ballast member 400. In particular, the intermediate support assembly 40 comprises a lower mount 46. The lower mount 46 has a fixed mount 46a having a mounting plate connected to the ballast member 400, for example by being bolted thereto. The lower mount further has a moveable mount 46b pivotably mounted to the fixed mount 46a and comprising a receptacle 46c for receiving the lower end portion of the lower portion 42b of the support member 42.

As shown in Figure 4, the intermediate support assembly 40 further comprises an upper mount 48 comprising a bracket 48a mounted over the channel member 32 and having a mounting plate 48b extending rearwards. The upper end portion of the upper portion 42a of the support member 42 is pivotably mounted to the mounting plate 48b.

Turning to Figure 5, there is shown a perspective view of the base member 300 of the ballast assembly 4 of the wall assembly 2 of Figures 1 and 2. The base member 300 comprises a generally flat, rectangular base plate 302.

The base plate 302 is provided with the lower wall panel support assembly 20 mounted thereto. The lower wall panel support assembly 20 comprises a first support member 304a. The support member 304a is in the form of an open, square-section channel and extends upwards from a corner at one end of the base plate 302. The base plate 302 is further provided with a second support member 304b. The second support member 304b is in the form of an open, square-section channel and extends upwards from the opposite corner at the end of the base plate 302. In use, one or both of the first and second support members 304a, 304b extend upwards into the cavity in the lower portion of one or two wall panels 8, as shown in the cross-sectional view in Figure 3a. In one arrangement of the wall assembly 2, both support members 304a, 304b extend upwards into the same wall panel 8. In an alternative arrangement, the support members 304a, 304b extend upwards into different, adjacent wall panels 8. The action of the support members 304a, 304b is to locate and retain the lower portion of the respective wall panel or panels in position on the base plate 302.

The base member 300 further comprises an engagement portion 308 for engaging with the underside of the ballast member 400. The engagement portion 308 comprises a pair of spaced apart, elongate protrusions 308a, 308b extending parallel to one another across the base plate 302. In use, the elongate protrusions 308a, 308b of the engagement portion 308 engage with an engagement recess formed in the underside of the ballast member 40, as described in more detail hereinbelow. This serves to locate the ballast member 400 on the base plate 302 and prevent lateral or horizontal movement of the ballast member 400 relative to the base plate 302.

Turning to Figure 6, there is shown a plan view of the top of the ballast member 400 of the wall assembly 2. Figure 7 shows a view of the underside of the ballast member 400, that is the side in contact with the base plate 302 of the base member 300. The ballast member 400 has a generally flat, hollow body 402 having a front 404 and a rear 406, together with sides 408a and 408b. The body 402 is relatively shallow, having a ratio of the length from front to rear to the depth of the body of about 5.5:1. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the body 402 of the ballast member 400 is an isosceles trapezium, with the front 404 being wider than the rear 406, symmetrical about the line B extending from the centre of the front 404 to the centre of the rear 406.

The underside of the body 402 of the ballast member 400, as shown in Figure 7, comprises a generally isosceles trapezoidal recess 420 extending into the body. In use, with the ballast member 400 located on the base member 300, the elongate protrusions 308a, 308b extending upwards from the base plate 302 engage with the recess 420 and retain the ballast member 400 in position on the base member 300, preventing the ballast member from moving laterally across the base member.

The top of the ballast member 400 is shown in plan view in Figure 6 and comprises and engagement portion having protrusions in the form of ridges 430 arranged in an isosceles trapezoidal pattern and extending upwards from the body 402 of the ballast member. In use, a second ballast member, such as another ballast member of the same configuration as the ballast member 400, may be stacked on the ballast member 400, with the ridges 430 of the lower ballast member engaging with the recess 420 in the underside of the upper ballast member. Alternatively, a ballast member having a different configuration, such as the ballast member 500 shown in Figures 1 and 2, may be used. The ballast member 500 has a generally frusto-pyramidal form and is located on the upper surface of the ballast member 400. The ballast member 500, may be provided with a configuration, such as ridges or a recess, to limit lateral movement of the ballast member 500 with respect to the ballast member 400 on which it rests. Alternatively, the ballast member 500 may be provided with a recess having the same configuration as the recess 420 in its underside to engage with the ridges 430 of the ballast member 400.

In use, the ballast members 400, 500 may be filled with a ballast material, for example a particulate material, such as sand or gravel, a solid material, such as cement or concrete, or a liquid, in particular water. Preferably, the ballast member 400 is filled with cement to provide the necessary weight for the member to act as ballast for the wall assembly. Preferably, the ballast member 500 is filled with water.

The top of the body 402 of the ballast member 400 is further provided with a shallow, generally rectangular recess 450 extending inwards from the rear edge 406 of the body. The recess 450 receives the mounting plate of the fixed mount 46a of the lower mount 46, as described above and shown in Figure 2 and in more detail in Figure 3.

Referring to Figure 8, there is shown a cross-section of one embodiment of a wall panel, generally indicated as 8, of the wall system of the present invention. The wall panel 8 is an elongate member formed from plastic by extrusion and comprises two flat, opposing major walls 804, 806 and two opposing minor walls 808, 810, extending perpendicular to and between the opposing major walls. One minor wall 808 is formed to provide a male member 812 of a first panel engagement portion. The other minor wall 810 is formed to provide a corresponding female member 814 of a second panel engagement portion. The interior of the panel component 8 is hollow and empty. Partitions 816 extend across the interior between and perpendicular to the opposing major walls 804, 806. In one preferred embodiment, the wall panel 8 is provided with eight partitions 816.

Finally, referring to Figure 9, there is shown a side view of a wall assembly having an alternative arrangement of the ballast assembly. Features of the wall assembly, generally indicated as 2a, in common with the wall assembly 2 of Figures 1 and 2 are indicated using the same reference numerals and are as described hereinbefore. The wall assembly 2a of Figure 9 differs from the wall assembly 2 of Figures 1 and 2 as follows:

The ballast assembly 4 of the wall assembly 2a comprises a plurality of stacked ballast members 400a, 400b, 400c. Each of the ballast members 400a, 400b, 400c is as shown in Figures 6 and 7 and as described above. Each of the ballast members 400a, 400b, 400c is filled with cement.

The support member 42 of the intermediate support assembly 40 is mounted at its lower end to the rear portion of the uppermost ballast member 400c. This mounting is as shown in Figure 3 and as described above. The length of the support member 42 and the angle it extends between the uppermost ballast member 400c and the upper wall panel support assembly 30 are adjustable, as described hereinbefore and are determined by such factors as the number of ballast members being employed in the ballast assembly 4.

Claims

1. A wall assembly comprising:

a ballast assembly comprising:

a base member; and

the wall assembly further comprising:

a lower wall panel support assembly;

an upper wall panel support assembly;

2. The wall assembly according to claim 1, wherein the base member comprises an engagement portion for engaging with the ballast member.

3. The wall assembly according to claim 2, wherein the engagement portion has a first engagement form which is compatible to engage with and locate a second engagement form disposed on the ballast member.

4. The wall assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the body of the ballast member is tapered from the front to the rear.

5. The wall assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the ballast assembly comprises a plurality of ballast members in a stacked arrangement on the base member.

6. The wall assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the body of the or each ballast member comprises a first engagement portion on its upper surface having a first engagement form and a second engagement portion on its lower surface having a second engagement form, the first engagement form corresponding with second engagement form such that the first engagement form of one ballast member is able to engage with the second engagement form of another ballast member.

7. The wall assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower wall panel support assembly comprises a support member for extending into a cavity within the lower portion of the wall panel.

8. The wall assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower wall panel support assembly is connected to the base member.

9. The wall assembly according to claim 8, wherein the lower wall panel support assembly comprises a support member extending upwards from the base member.

10. The wall assembly according to either of claims 8 or 9, comprising a first lower wall panel support assembly connected to the base member and a second lower wall panel support assembly connected to the base member.

11. The wall assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the upper wall panel support assembly comprises a support member, wherein the support member engages with the upper edge of the wall panel.

12. The wall assembly according to claim 11, wherein the support member has an inverted U-shaped, which extends over the upper edge of the wall panel and over the two opposing adjacent edge portions.

13. The wall assembly according to any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of wall panels, with a first panel being engaged directly with an adjacent second wall panel along an edge.

14. The wall assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the support member of the intermediate support assembly is connected to the ballast member.

15. The wall assembly according to claim 14, wherein the support member is connected to a rear portion of the ballast member.

16. The wall assembly according to claim 15, wherein the support member is connected to a portion of the ballast member at or adjacent the rear edge of the ballast member.

17. The wall assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the angle at which the support member of the intermediate support assembly extends from the ballast assembly is variable.

18. The wall assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the intermediate support assembly comprises a lower mount connecting the support member to the ballast assembly.

19. The wall assembly according to claim 18, wherein the support member is pivotably connected to the lower mount.

20. The wall assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the angle at which the support member of the intermediate support assembly extends from the upper wall panel support assembly is variable.

21. The wall assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the intermediate support assembly comprises an upper mount connecting the support member to the upper panel support assembly.

22. The wall assembly according to claim 21, wherein the support member is pivotably connected to the upper mount.

23. The wall assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the length of the support member of the intermediate support assembly is adjustable.

24. A ballast member for a wall assembly, the ballast member comprising: a body having an upper surface and a lower surface, the body further having a front edge and a rear edge, in use of the ballast member the front edge being disposed adjacent a wall panel of the wall assembly; wherein the upper surface is provided with a mounting portion for receiving a mount of a support member, the mounting portion being disposed rearwards of the front of the body.

25. A wall assembly substantially as hereinbefore described having reference to any of the accompanying figures.

26. A ballast member substantially as hereinbefore described having reference to any of the accompanying figures.

1/ 10 1/10 07 Feb 2024

Figure 1 Figure 1

2 Y 8d 2024200749

12d 6

400 12c 4 3 8c

30

40 500 8b 2 12b F R 40 500 12a 4 8a

400

A

2/ 10 2/10 07 Feb 2024

Figure 2 Figure 2 30

2 2 2024200749

42a

12a 6

42 8a 40

44 F R

500 A 42b 10a 4 46 304a

400 300 302

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304a

IDa 20 8a 2024200749

308b

500

308 308a

7

Figure 3 Figure 3

42 46b 302 42b

to 46c 40 4ba 300 46 400

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304a 2024200749

Figure 3a Figure 3a

308b 302

420 400

300

4V

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Figure 4 Figure 4

48 & 48a 2024200749

48b 32

0

8

42a

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300

302

L 308a

20

Figure 5 Figure 5 304a

308b 308

304b

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Figure 6 Figure 6

400 2024200749

404 402 408a

430 406

B 450

430 408b

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Figure 7 Figure 7

400 2024200749

404 408b 402 406

420

408a

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808

812 2024200749

8 L 816

Figure 8 Figure 8

804

806

816

814

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Figure 9 Figure 9

30 2024200749

2a a

42a

12a 6

42 8a 40 44 42b R F

46 A K 400c 4 10a

400b 304a

400a

300 302