AU3561202A - Panel support system - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2(2)

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Application Number: Lodged: Invention Title: PANEL SUPPORT SYSTEM The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us PANEL SUPPORT SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention concerns a system and method for securing panels to a structure.

BACKGROUND

A very common requirement is to secure panels to a supporting structure.

The requirement may arise in a number of fields. One example is the addition of panels or cladding to buildings including domestic residences, high rise, low rise office buildings. In another example, panels may also be required to be secured to internal walls or the frames of buildings for decorative reasons or to allow for access to services (eg electric wiring, data cabling, plumbing and ventilation/air conditioning equipment). In a further example, display panels may have to be secured to fixed or portable supports in exhibition venues, retail showrooms and the like. In a still further example, relocatable office partitioning may be based on suitable panels being secured to basic frameworks that support them.

The present invention provides a convenient useful new system and related methods applicable to these and other applications. In addition, the system and methods lend themselves not only to the problem of securing panels to existing structures but to new or alternative construction methods for such applications. In the building field, for example, the system and methods suggest new approaches to the construction of buildings, including temporary and prefabricated types, factory buildings, high- and low-rise buildings and the like.

In building applications, structural integrity is a key requirement, but so too in today's cost-conscious business climate are speed and ease of installation.

Speed and simplicity of assembly are also important in display and internal architectural applications, along with attractive appearance. The invention is intended to provide speed and ease of assembly and disassembly when required.

The term "panels" has been used above, but as will be disclosed below, there is also the possibility of securing other types of items to structures using the system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention there is provided a system for securing a panel to a structure in a predetermined position thereon, said panel being supported against downward movement by support means and a lower part of said panel being prevented from lateral movement by locating means, said system including retaining means adapted to hold an upper part of said panel in a predetermined position thereof, wherein said retaining means includes a latch member that is moveable between first and second positions; wherein said upper part of said panel is movable into engagement with said retaining means; and wherein such engagement of said upper part and engagement of said panel with said support means and said locating means requires movement of said latch member to said second position and subsequently to said first position, said latch member when in said first position preventing movement of said upper part out of engagement with said retaining means.

Preferably said latch member is biased towards a rest position and during said movement of said upper part of said panel into said engagement said latch member is moved from said rest position to said second position by contact between said panel and said latch member. That is, latching of the panel into place is automatic as the panel is moved into position.

Said latch member may include a first part and a formation secured to said first part which in said first position of said latch member is shaped and positioned to prevent movement of said upper part of said panel away from said structure.

The formation may be visible from a side of the panel opposite the structure for decorative effect.

Further preferred features of the system are set out in the appended claims, which are explicitly now made a part of this summary of the invention.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, said retaining means is adapted when said latch member is in said first position on said panel to support a lower part of a further panel placed above and in co-operating contact with said retaining means in a predetermined position of said further panel.

In this embodiment, it is further preferred that said retaining means is adapted when said lower part of said further panel is supported by said retaining means to limit horizontal movement of said lower part of said further panel in at least one direction.

The preferred embodiments set out in the preceding two paragraphs enable the simple and convenient securing to a structure of a number of panels.

Specifically, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the invention provides an arrangement for securing a plurality of panels to a structure with each panel save an uppermost one of said panels having an upper part adjacent to a lower part of another one of said panels, wherein an upper part of a first one of said panels and a lower part of a second panel immediately above said first one of said panels are maintained in predetermined positions by a system as disclosed in the preceding two paragraphs.

In this case, said first position and said rest position of said latch member of said system may be substantially the same position so that downward loads applied by said further panel to said latch member are transferred to said structure. Alternatively, said first position of said latch member is intermediate between said rest position and said second position and wherein downward loads applied by said further panel to said latch member when said further panel is in said predetermined position thereof are transferred to said upper part of said panel by said latch member. The choice between these alternatives may be made according to suitability for the particular application.

Such an arrangement preferably further includes restraining means whereby said lower part of said second panel is prevented from moving out of the predetermined position thereof so that said first panel remains secured to said structure.

It is particularly preferred that said first panel is one of a contiguous group of panels each having a said system maintaining its upper part in said predetermined position and that said restraining means maintains the uppermost panel of said group in said predetermined position thereof and thereby maintains the other members of said group in respective said predetermined positions thereof. That is, locking an uppermost member of the group of panels in place locks the others in the group also.

The invention will now be described in more detail by reference to a number of preferred embodiments. However, the nature of the invention is such that many applications are possible, and the embodiments described are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The description is based on reference to the attached diagrams, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a system according to the invention mounted on a structure; Figure 2 is a side view of the system shown in Figure 1 with a panel in the process of being secured; Figure 3 is a side view of the system shown in Figure 1 with a panel secured in its final position; Figure 4 is a perspective view a panel supported by the system as shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a side view of a support arrangement for multiple panels according to the invention; Figure 6 is a side view of the arrangement shown in Figure 5 with a panel in the process of being secured; Figure 7 is a side view of the arrangement shown in Figure 6 with the panel now secured in its final position; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a panel suitable for use in application of the invention; Figure 9 is a partial side view of an alternative embodiment of a system according to the invention; Figure 10 is a partial perspective view of panels secured by the system shown in Figure 9; Figure 11 is a side view of an alternative panel edge and retaining means suitable for use in application of the invention; Figure 12 is a side view of an alternative panel edge and retaining means suitable for use in application of the invention; Figure 13 is a view in cross-sectional view of, and in a plane normal to, two adjoining panel edges suitable for use in application of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figures 1 to 3 show a system 1 according to the invention for securing a panel 2 to a structure 3. The structure 3 is shown only in part, and could be a building external wall or internal partition, or a timber or metal framework, or some other form of construction, according to the application.

In Figure 1, the panel 2 (seen from a side) is shown when not yet secured to structure 3. System 1 has two identical retaining means 4 which hold an upper edge 14 of panel 2 in a defined position relative to structure 3. As best seen in Figure 4, the two retaining means 4 are spaced apart to provide two separate points at which upper edge 14 of panel 2 is held. Each retaining means 4 is secured to an abutment member 5. Abutment member 5 is in turn secured to structure 3 and, when panel 2 is secured in place (as seen in Figure 3) abuts a rear face 6 of panel 2. Abutment member 5 is in the form of an elongate rail.

Each retaining means 4 includes a bracket 7 to which is mounted an arm 8 that is pivotable in a vertical plane about an axis 9 in bracket 7. Arm 8 has a knob-like retaining formation 10 secured thereto at a position remote from the axis 9.

Also secured to structure 3 is a support 11 which in use (as shown in Figure 3) supports the weight of panel 2 and locates the bottom edge 12 of panel 2. The precise nature of this support 11 is not of the essence of the invention.

Before panel 2 is secured in place, arm 8 occupies a "rest position" as shown in Figure 1. Arm 8 is urged downward towards the "rest position" by its own weight including that of formation 10. To secure panel 2 to structure 3, panel 2 is moved as shown by arrow 13 toward retaining means 4 and support 11 in the attitude shown in Figure 1. The bottom edge 12 of panel 2 is first located in support 11 (which is shown as having an upwardly open channel section to receive bottom edge 12), and assumes the position shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Next, upper edge 14 of panel 2 is moved toward structure 3 as shown by arrow 16 in Figure 2. Upper edge 14 has a bevel 15 which interacts with the shape of formation 10 so that arm 8 rotates to the position (referred to as the "second position" of arm 8 below) shown in Figure 2 as upper edge 14 of panel 2 moves towards structure 3. That is, the arm 8 swings aside automatically during movement of panel 2 into its final position. Of course, it is possible for arm 8 to be swung aside manually, but automatic swinging is in general easier and faster.

Figure 3 shows panel 2 in its final position. As panel 2 moves from the intermediate position shown in Figure 2 to this final position, in effect pivoting about its bottom edge 12 received in support 11, arm 8 swings downward towards the "rest position", under its own weight. The position of arm 8 shown in Figure 3 (referred to as the "first position" of arm 8 below) is slightly higher than the "rest position", for reasons which will be disclosed later herein. When panel 2 is in the position shown in Figure 3, formation 10 is co-operatively received on a shaped section 17 formed in the upper edge 14 of panel 2. Thus, so long as arm 8 remains in the "first position", panel 2 is "latched", i.e. secured, to structure 3, its upper edge 14 being prevented from moving laterally by abutment member 5 and formations 10. However, panel 2 can be readily removed if required by lifting arm 8 to the "second position" and reversing the movement shown in Figures 1 to 3.

Figure 4 shows panel 2 in perspective view, secured in place.

It will be apparent that securing of panel 2 to a structure 3 is a simple and speedy process of moving panel 2 into engagement with its support 11 and retaining means 4 and 18. In many practical situations, such speed and ease is advantageous.

Usually, it will be required to prevent or make difficult the unauthorised or inadvertent removal of panel 2 from its position when it has been secured to structure 3. This may be done by preventing arms 8 from being raised to the "second position" allowing the upper edge 14 to move away from structure 3. As examples only of how this may be achieved, suitable stops 111 may be fixedly secured to structure 3 above retaining means 4 to prevent upward movement of arms 8. Another possibility is to secure arms 8 directly to upper edge 14 of panel 2, using suitable fasteners such as screws or bolts (not shown) passing downwards through the arms 8 and threadably received in panel 2. Many other suitable approaches will readily suggest themselves to persons of ordinary skill in the arts to which the invention is applicable.

The arrangement shown in Figures 1 to 4 can advantageously be extended to the mounting of multiple panels to a structure, and this is expected to be the main type of application of the invention.

Figures 5 to 7 show such an application in views similar to those of Figures 1 to 3. The application is to mounting of several panels to a structure 3, one above another with panel 2 the lowermost.

Panel 2 is first placed into position and secured by retaining means 4 as described above, but without subsequently locking arms 8 in the "first position" as that step is unnecessary for this application. A second panel 21 is then mounted in essentially the same way, by being moved into position as shown in Figures to 7. Figures 5 to 7 correspond respectively to Figures 1 to 3 and show the corresponding stages of the securing in place of panel 21. Vertical support for panel 21 is not provided by a support fixed to structure 3 like support 11, but by panel 21 being placed on arms 8 of retaining means 4. Panel 21 has a suitably shaped section 22 on its bottom edge 23, which cooperates with formations when panel 21 is in its final position as shown in Figure 7.

Two retaining means 24, the same as retaining means 4, are secured to structure 3 and are spaced apart so that upper edge 26 of panel 21 is held laterally at several points. The spacing apart of the two retaining means 4 provides stable support from below for panel 21.

The weight of panel 21 acts downward to resist upward swinging of arms 8, so that panel 2 is now held more securely than before panel 21 was placed in position. Arms 25 of retaining means 24 are the same as arms 8 of retaining means 4, and hold upper edge 26 of panel 21 in the same way as arms 8 hold upper edge 14 of panel 2.

A further abutment means 27 is secured to structure 3 to prevent movement of bottom edge 23 of panel 21 towards structure 3, formation preventing its movement away from structure 3. Abutment means 27 is in the form of an elongate rail, similarly to abutment means 5. Abutment means 5 and 27 could in fact be combined in a single item (not shown).

It will readily be appreciated that a further panel (not shown) could be secured to structure 3 with its lower edge adjacent to upper edge 26 of panel 21 and supported by arms 25, in exactly the same way as panel 21 is supported on arms 8, i.e. by using further retaining means of the same type as retaining means 24 secured to structure 3. Still further panels (also not shown) could be added above that further panel, in exactly the same way, using further retaining means similar to or the same as retaining means 24, the limit to the numbers of panels being in the strength and stability of the panels themselves and the strengths of the various parts of the several retaining means.

In arrangements where there are two or more panels secured in a vertical array as described above, providing means (such as stops, not shown, similar to stops 111) for preventing inadvertent or unauthorized removal of the uppermost panel will also secure against dislodgment the panel or panels below the uppermost one.

Arranging that the "first position" of each arm such as arms 8 and 25 is above its "rest position" assists in ensuring in multiple panel arrangements, particularly in structural applications where each panel may have significant weight, that the combined weight of any given panel and the panels above it is transferred directly to the panel below and not to the retaining means (such as 4 and 24) themselves. Setting a suitable limit on the maximum number of panels to be stacked in the way described is also important in such structural applications both to avoid excess loads in the lowermost slab and for convenience in construction. Where a large number of panels must be stacked, to the point where the lowermost panel would be overloaded, a user may simply provide a number of supports such as supports 11 at suitable vertical spacings, so that each such support bears the weight only of a safe number of panels.

However, an alternative arrangement is possible, in which each one of a set of panels is supported individually. Figure 8 shows in side view a view similar in its viewpoint to that of Figures 1 to 3 and 5 to 7) the upper part of a panel 100 and an alternative retaining means 101. A further panel 102 is supported from below by latch member 103 of retaining means 101. Lateral movement of panels 100 and 102 away from a structure 104 to which they are secured is prevented by engagement of the upper part of panel 100 and the lower part of panel 102 with a formation 105 on arm 106, arm 106 and formation 105 forming the latch member 103. Abutment members 107 and 108 prevent lateral movement of panels 100 and 102 toward structure 104. Arm 106 is pivotally secured to abutment member 107 for rotation about an axis 109. Unlike the arrangements disclosed above, however, the "rest position" and the "first position" of latch member 103 are one and the same. This is because arm 106 rests on an upper surface 110 of abutment member 107 in the "rest" and "first" positions and panel 100 does not extend far enough upward to raise arm 106 above surface 110 once panel 100 has reached its final position abutting abutment member 107.

Thus the weight of panel 102 is transferred not to panel 100, but to structure 104 through latch member 103 and abutment member 107. The upper part of panel 100 is still located laterally by formation 105 and abutment member 107.

Figure 9 shows parts only of panels 100 and 102 and retaining means 101 in perspective view, with panel 102 shown in phantom lines for clarity. Arm 106 is one of several arms 106 spaced along formation 105, which is in the form of an elongate member instead of the knob-like formations 10 previously disclosed. By the choice of different types of formations (10, 105) different appearances can be obtained according to requirements of the application.

It is possible to provide panels with recesses at specific locations along their edges where retaining means (such as 4, 24) are to be provided. Figure shows an upper edge of a panel 30 that is an alternative to panel 2, and (in phantom lines) retaining means 4 and abutment means 5. Panel 30 has an upper edge 31 with connected recesses 33 and 34 therein. With panel 30 in its final position, recess 33 snugly receives arm 8 and recess 34 snugly receives formation 10. Away from recesses 33 and 34, the upper edge 31 of panel 30 has simple square corners.

Similar recesses (not shown) may also be provided in the bottom edge of a panel (not shown) to be secured above panel 30. The use of such recesses as recesses 33 and 34 has several advantages. First, panel 30 is prevented from horizontal movement along its long dimension (eg at right angles to the plane of the page in Figures 5 to 7) without the need for independent fixtures. Second, smaller clearances between adjoining panel edges can be achieved.

It is possible with such recesses to provide for zero clearance between adjoining panel edges either along a part of their lengths or at specific locations, for more direct load transfer between the panels.

As described above, the panels 2 and 21 have particular features (15, 17 and 22) along the whole of their upper and bottom edges to facilitate the latching action. The shapes of panel edges such as 14 and 23 (or recesses such as 32) and the arms such as 8 and 25, described above, can be varied to suit the application or the user's preference (for example in respect of appearance).

Where automatic latching of panels by the retaining means is not required at all, for example, the arm 35 and retaining formation 37 shown in Figure 11 are satisfactory for use with a panel 70 having a square upper edge 36. Panel 70 and retaining formation 37 have no features of shape to provide automatic latching.

Where automatic latching is required, it may be provided by shaping the retaining formation only, or the panel edge only, or some combination of both. All that is required is that the arm and retaining formation swing aside as the panel is moved into position without having to be swung aside by a user. Figure 12, for example, shows a panel 32 with a simple square upper edge 62 and a shaped retaining formation 60 that provides the latching action by riding over the edge 62 during positioning of panel 32. (It is here to be understood that the "rest position" of retaining formation 60 is only slightly below the "first position" shown.) Retaining formations such as 10, 37 and 60 can be given many decorative shapes and finishes as required.

The retaining formations may also be concealed. For example, Figure 13 shows in section two panels 38 and 39 with recesses 40 and 41 in their adjoining edges in which a retaining formation 42 and arm 43 are received.

Arms 8 and 25 have been described as being biased towards their "rest positions" by their own weight. A variation which may be useful in some applications is to provide resilient means to augment this biasing. For example, Figure 12 shows a spring 50 secured to the bracket 51 in which arm 35 is pivotally mounted. Spring 50 is arranged to urge arm 35 downwards.

In fact pivoting arms such as 8, 25 and 106 could alternatively be or include a resiliently bendable element (not shown) secured directly (without pivotability) to a fixed part of their retaining means such as members 5 or 107.

Movement to the "second position" would then be by flexing of the bendable element, with its resilience returning it to the "first position".

Many other variations may be made to the systems and arrangements described herein without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. As but one example, the position of a retaining formation such as 10 along its arm (such as 8) may be made adjustable to accommodate different thicknesses of panel 2. Retaining formation 10 and arm 8 could for example be threadably engaged with each other.

Claims (17)

1. A system for securing a panel to a structure in a predetermined position thereon, said panel being supported against downward movement by support means and a lower part of said panel being prevented from lateral movement by locating means, said system including retaining means adapted to hold an upper part of said panel in a predetermined position thereof, wherein said retaining means includes a latch member that is moveable between first and second positions; wherein said upper part of said panel is movable into engagement with said retaining means; and wherein such engagement of said upper part and engagement of said panel with said support means and said locating means requires movement of said latch member to said second position and subsequently to said first position, said latch member when in said first position preventing movement of said upper part out of engagement with said retaining means.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said latch member is biased towards a rest position and wherein during said movement of said upper part of said panel into said engagement said latch member is moved from said rest position to said second position by contact between said panel and said latch member.

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said latch member is biased towards said rest position by the weight of said latch member urging said latch member to move toward said rest position.

4. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said retaining means includes resilient means arranged to urge said latch member towards said rest position.

A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said latch member is pivotally mounted for said movement between said rest position and said second position.

6. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said latch member includes a first part and a formation secured to said first part which in said first position of said latch member is shaped and positioned to prevent movement of said upper part of said panel away from said structure.

7. A system according to claim 6 wherein said formation is adjustable in position on said first part to accommodate differing panel thicknesses.

8. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said retaining means is adapted when said latch member is in said first position on said panel to support a lower part.of a further panel placed above and in co-operating contact with said retaining means in a predetermined position of said further panel.

9. A system according to claim 8 wherein said retaining means is adapted when said lower part of said further panel is supported by said retaining means to limit horizontal movement of said lower part of said further panel in at least one direction.

A system according to claim 8 or 9 wherein said first position and said rest position of said latch member are substantially the same position so that downward loads applied by said further panel to said latch member are transferred to said structure.

11. A system according to claim 8 or 9 wherein said first position of said latch member is intermediate between said rest position and said second position and wherein downward loads applied by said further panel to said latch member when said further panel is in said predetermined position thereof are transferred to said upper part of said panel by said latch member.

12. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 11 further including locking means secured to at least one of said structure and said retaining means whereby said latch member is maintainable in said first position thereof after said panel is secured in said predetermined position thereof.

13. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 12 adapted for use with a panel whose said upper part is an upper edge of said panel.

14. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 13 adapted for use with a panel whose said lower part is a lower edge of said panel.

An arrangement for securing a plurality of panels to a structure with each panel save an uppermost one of said panels having an upper part adjacent to a lower part of another one of said panels, wherein an upper part of a first one of said panels and a lower part of a second panel immediately above said first one of said panels are maintained in predetermined positions by a system according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

16. An arrangement according to claim 15 further including restraining means whereby said lower part of said second panel is prevented from moving out of the predetermined position thereof so that said first panel remains secured to said structure. d t 14

17. An arrangement according to claim 15 wherein said first panel is one of a contiguous group of panels each having a said system maintaining its upper part in said predetermined position and wherein said restraining means maintains the uppermost panel of said group in said predetermined position thereof and thereby maintains the other members of said group in respective said predetermined positions thereof. DATED this 23rd day of April 2002 ALEXANDER FURMAN WATERMARK PATENT TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS 290 BURWOOD ROAD HAWTHORN VICTORIA 3122 AUSTRALIA SKP/DHS/PCP