AU628089B2 - Modular panelling system - Google Patents

Description

_1q OPI DATE 01/05/90 APPLN- ID 43440 89 PT P I AOJP DATE 07/06/90 PCT NUMBER PCT/AU89/00444 INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERAI ION IKhA Y (PCT) (51) International Patent Classification 4 International Publication Number: WO 90/04073 E04F 13/10, 13/08 Al (43) International Publication Date: 19 April 1990 (19.04.90) (21) International Application Number: PCT/AU89/00444 (81) Designated States: AT (European patent), AU, BE (European patent), CH (European patent), DE (European pa- (22) International Filing Date: 9 October 1989 (09.10.89) tent), FR (European patent), GB (European patent), IT (European patent), JP, LU (European patent), NL (European patent), SE (European patent), US, Priority data: PJ 0849 7 October 1988 (07.10.88) AU Published With international search report.

(71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): CHELSEA REVIVAL PTY. LTD. [AU/AU]; 443 Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills, VIC 3127 (AU).

(72) Inventor; and Inventor/Applicant (for US only) PENDER, John, Francis [AU/AU]; 443 Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills, VIC 3127 6 o (74)Agent: PATENT ATTORNEY SERVICES; 26 Ellingworth Parade, Box Hill, VIC 3128 2 625099 (54)Title: MODULAR PANELLING SYSTEM (57) Abstract A panelling system for panelling of a wall comprises a base locating batten (10) having a locating groove formation (46) into which complementary 28 engaging tongue formations (40) at the ends of stiles (14) fit. Cross rails (24) having tongue formations 22 20 26 (42) to fit with complementary groove formations (43) 24 along the stiles A top batten (20) is located ac- 26 ross the tops of the stiles Panels (60) fit within 2 the frames defined by stiles (14) and rails The panels, stiles and rails are pre-polished. A pre-polished ornamental moulding (30) covers the top batten 14 0 and pre-polished skirting (34) covers the base batten 26 12 1 36 WO 90/04073 PCr/A U89/00444 1 MODULAR PANELLING SYSTEM The present invention relates to a modular panelling system and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to a system of modular wood panelling used to enhance the interior walls of a home or office.

Many architects and designers have again begun to utilize some form of panelling on selected walls in office or home interiors to enhance the appearance of a room or to give it an old-world atmosphere. The panels may be constructed of laminate or veneer material or, for a more attractive appearance, of solid wood.

The current method of installing panelling in a building generally involves preparing and assembling the panels on site and then fixing the panels to the walls, for example by nailing or screwing to existing battens, or to battens fixed to the wall for this purpose. If wood panels are employed, each panel must then be French polished by hand after installation in order to ensure that a high quality finish is achieved. The time required to install panelling according to such traditional methods and to subsequently polish the panels by hand makes such panelling costly.

An object of the present invention is to provide a system of wall panelling that can be assembled and installed relatively quickly and efficiently on site, without compromising the high quality finish of the assembled product, According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a panelling system for panelling of a wall, the system comprising: a plurality of panel members; a base locating member for fixing to a wall, the base locating member having a longitudinal edge and being provided with a locating formation extending along the longitudinal edge; and first and second elongate frame members adapted be located against the wall and to extend away from the base locating member, each frame member having an engaging formation at an end thereof so as to co-operate with the locating formation of the base locating member whereby, in use, the ends of the frame members engage WO 90/04073 PCT/AU89/00444 2 with the locating formation along the longitudinal edge of the base locating member to form spaced parallel boundaries of a frame within which one of the panel members is received.

The panelling system preferably also includes a second locating member for fixing to the wall at a position spaced from the base locating member so that the frame members extend in use across the space between the base locating member and second locating members, the second locating member having a locating formation facing in use towards the base locating member, at least one of the frame members having an engaging formation at a further end thereof so as to co-operate with the locating formation of the second locating member. In this embodiment the second locating member is preferably elongated and has a longitudinal edge along which the locating formation extends, both the first and second frame members being provided with engaging formations at their respective further ends whereby both the frame members engage with the locating formations extending along the longitudinal edges of both the base locating member and the second spaced locating member.

The panelling system preferably further comprises third and fourth elongate frame members adapted to extend between the first and second frame members, each of the third and fourth frame members having an engaging formations at its opposite ends; the first and second frame members being each further provided with a locating formations facing in use towards the other one of the first and second frame members so as to co-operate with the engaging formations of the third and fourth frame members whereby, in use, the ends of the third and fourth frame members engage and co-operate with the first and second frame members to form spaced parallel cross members of the frame which receives the panel member. The locating formations provided by the first and second frame members may comprise locating formations extending along respective longitudinal edges of the first and second frame members.

In one embodiment, each engaging formation has a complementary shape to the respective co-operating locating formation so as to mate therewith. In this embodiment the locating formations and complementary engaging formations WO 90/04073 PCr/AU89/00444 3 preferably comprise complementary male and female formations which provide an interference fit so as to positively locate and retain the frame members with respect to the locating members.

In this embodiment, the male and female formations may comprise mating tongue and groove formations.

In an alternative embodiment, fastening means co-operates with both the engaging formations and the respective locating formations and fastens the engaging members together.

The panelling system may further include a third locating member for fixing to the wall and adapted to mount a skirting board the third locating member having a longitudinal edge provided with a locating formation extending along the longitudinal edge, and the skirting board being provided with a mating engaging formation extending therealong and which engages with the locating formation of the third locating member.

According to the present invention there is also provided a method of assembling a modular panelling system, the method comprising: fixing to a wall a base locating member having a longitudinal edge and being provided with a locating formation extending along the longitudinal edge; arranging against the wall first and second elongate frame members, each of the frame members being provided with an engaging formation at an end thereof so as to co-operate with the locating formtion of the base locating member with the engaging formations of the frame members engaging and cooperating with the locating formation along the longitudinal edge of the base locating member; and locating a panel member in the frame formed by the frame members extending away from the base locating member.

The method may include the further step of fixing a second locating member to the wall, the second locating member having a locating formation, at least one of the frame members having an engaging formation at a further end thereof, the second locating member being engaged with the engaging formation of the frame member so as to be spaced from the base locating member when it is fixed to the wall, the step of locating the panel member in the frame being carried out after the fixing of the second locating member to the wall. The second locating member may be an elongated member having a longitudinal edge, the locating PC/A U89/00444 WO 90/04073 4 formation of the second locating member being provided along the longitudinal edge and both of the first and second elongate frame members engaging with the locating formation of the second locating member before fixing of the second locating member to the wall.

The method of assembling a modular panelling system may be further characterised by third and fourth elongate frame members, each of the third and fourth elongate frame members being provided with engaging formations at their respective opposite ends, each of the first and second frame members being further provided with a locating formations facing towards the other one of the first and second frame members, the method comprising the step of locating the third and fourth frame members so as to co-operate with the locating formations of the first and second frame members to form spaced parellel ross members of the frame which receives the panel member.

Possible and preferred features of the present invent.on will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the modular panelling, illustrating a preferred method of assembly; Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are enlarged section views of parts of the panelling system illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 and 6 illustrate how a panel is received in a frame formed by the system illustrated in Fig 1; Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate two examples of different configurations of panelling that can be achieved with the panelling system; Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of modular panelling; Fig. 10 is an exploded view of a demountable assembly system; and Fig. 11 is an alternative panel installation system allowing demounting.

I .WO 90/04073 PCT/AU89/00444 In Fig. I a base locating member comprises a first batten member 10 fixed to a wall to be covered with panels by, for example nails or screws. The batten member 10 is provided with a locating formation (not shown) extending along a longitudinal edge 12 of the batten member. First and second elongate frame members or vertical stiles 14 are arranged with one end 16 of each stile engaging the longitudinal edge 12 of batten member Each stile 14 is provided with an engaging formation (not shown) at the end 16 as well as aii engaging formation (not shown) at the other end 18 of the stile. The engaging formations at the respective ends 16 of the stiles 14 are shaped to mate with the locating formation extending along the longitudinal edge 12 of the batten member A second locating member shown as a batten member 20 is also provided with a locating formation (not shown) extending along a longitudinal edge 22 of the batten member, and is fixed to the wall with the longitudinal edge 22 engaging the respective other ends 18 of each frame member 14. In this manner the vertical stiles 14 are effectively locked in position to extend between the first batten member 10 and the second batten member 20 to form a frame within which a panel member (not shown) can be received. Preferably the modular system further includes third and fourth frame members or horizontal rails 24 which are arranged to extend between the first and second frames members 14 to form cross-members for the frame within which a panel member will be received. Each horizontal rail 24 is provided with engaging formations (not shown) at the respective ends 26 of the rail, and the vertical stiles 14 are also provided with locating formtions (not shown) extending along their longitudinal edges 28. which are shaped to mate with the engaging formations at the ends 26 of the horizontal rails 24.

In the panelling system described thus far, only the first and second batten members 10 and 20 respectively are fastened to the wall by means of screws or nails, whereas the first and second frame members 14 and the third and fourth frame members 24 are held in place by means of the inter-locking arrangement of the locating and engaging formtions and therefore require no WO 90/04073 pCr/AU89/00444 6 further means of fastening to the wall. The first batten member is hidden from view by a skirting board as will be described shortly. The second batten member 20 is hidden from view by an ornamental moulding 30 which may also be fastened to the batten member 20 by means of cooperating locating and engaging formations (not shown), similar to those employed on the frame members 14 to 24.

A third locating member shown as a batten member 32 is also fastened to the wall and is adapted to receive a skirting board 34 mounted thereon. Preferably the third batten member 32 is also provided with a locating formation (not shown) extending along a longitudinal edge 36 of the batten member 32, and the skirting 34 is provided with an engaging formation 38 shaped to mate with the engaging portion of the batten member 32 when the skirting board 34 is mounted thereon. When the skirting board 34 is mounted on the third batten member 32 the upper portion of the skirting hides the first batten member 10 and the bottom ends of the frame members 14 from view.

Fig. 2 illustrates in section view the inter-locking arrangement of the vertical stiles 14 and the horizontal rails 24 by means of the respective locating and engaging formations 43, 42. In this embodiment the locating formations 43 and engaging formation 42 of the stile 14 and horizontal rail 24 respectively, consist of a pair of grooves 45 shaped to receive a mating pair of tongues 47 to provide an inter-locking join in the engaged position. The horizontal rails 24 need only be provided with engaging formations at their respective ends 26.

however the vertical stiles 14 are preferably provided with grooves 45 extending along both longitudinal edges 28 and the ends 16 and 18 respectively. In this manner each stile 14 can simultaneously serve as a frame member for two adjacent panels in the panelling system.

In Fig. 3 the arrangement of the skirting board 34 is illustrated in section view. The engaging formation 38 of the skirting board 34 is fixed thereto by screws or nails, and is mounted by the third batten member 32. Fig. 3 also illustrates the inter-locking arrangement of the vertical stile 14 with the first batten member 10. The stile 14 is provided with an WO 90/04073 PCT/AU89/00444 7 engaging formation 40 at its end 16 which is shaped to inter-lock with a mating locating formtion 46 of the first batten member 10. It can be seen how the batten member 10 is fixed to the wall by means of, for example a screw fastener, and is effectively hidden from view by the skirting board 34 when the modular panelling system is assembled and installed. The space 39 formed behind the skirting board 34 can be used as a service conduct, e.g. to run wires or telephone and computer cables around the walls of a room.

Fig. 4 illustrates the inter-locking arrangement of the moulding 30 on the second batten member 20 in section view.

Batten member 20 is provided with a locating formation 48 extending along the upper longitudinal edge thereof which engages with a mating engaging formation 50 provided on the moulding 30. In Fig. 4 it can also be seen how the engaging formation 40a provided on the end 18 of the stile 14 is shaped to mate with locating formation 52 provided on the longitudinal edge 22 of the batten member 20. In both Fig. 3 and 4 the respective locating and engaging formations are all shown as tongue and groove arrangements as in Fig. 2 Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate how a panel member 60 is received within the frame formed by the vertical stiles 14 inter-locking with the horizontal rails 24 of the modular panelling system.

The panel member 60 is provided with a decorative moulding 62 having a slot 64 to receive the peripheral edges of the panel member 60 therein. The moulding 62 is attached to the longitudinal edges of the frame members 14 and 24 by a strong glue such as, for example, Araldite (Trade Mark).

Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate two alternative configurations of wood panelling that can be achieved with the above modular panelling system.

I* g. 9, instead of the tapered tongue and groove assembly of Figs. 2 to 4, there is shown two possible assembly systems in which grooves 71 having a rectangular cross section are provided along the edges of the battens 10, 20 and at ends 16, 18 of stile 14. At the base batten 10, fastening means shown as a wafer 72 is provided for co-operating with the engaging formation 40 defined by the groove 71 at the bottom of i I i E I~ WO 90/04073 PC~r/A89/0044 8 the stile 14 and with the locating formation 46 defined by the groove 71 in the base batten 10. The wafer 72 may be made of compressed wood so that when an adhesive is applied to the wafer 72, the moisture in the adhesive causes the wafer 72 to swell and tightly and permanently secure the stile 14 to the batten For a demountable panelling system, an alternative fastening means 70 is shown at the top end 18 of the stile 14.

In this arrangement, there is a plywood fillet 73 which is an interference fit in the facing grooves 71 in the top end 18 of the stile 14 and the lower face of the batten 20. This enables the batten 20 to be manoeuvred into position during assembly and the assembly to be later dismantled if desired.

In Fig. 10 there is a further alternative fastening means 70 comprising a "Haas" fastener composed of two identical barbed components 74, 75 which are glued into the grooves 76, 77 which respectively define the locating formation 43 in the stile 14 and the engaging formation 42 in the rail 24. The Haas fastener 74, 75 enables disassembly of the rail and stile.

Instead of glueing or pinning of the panels 60 in position as described in relation to Figs. 5 and 6, the stile 14 and rails 24 may be provided with inwardly facing grooves 80 as shown in Fig. 11. This enables a tongue 81 provided in the moulding 62 to be received in the frame defined by the stiles 14 and rails 24 so that the panel 60 can be disassembled.

From the above description it will apparent that the panelling system is extremely versatile because of its modular construction. Each of the components of the modular system can be sized and arranged to form a large variety of visual effects without altering the method in which the modules are manufactured and subsequently assembled on site. The modular construction enables each component to be prefabricated according to a high standard of quality. For example, the frame members and panel members can be polished to achieve a very high quality finish in the workshop before being transported for assembly on site. Furthermore, the panelling can be polished to achieve a very hard finish using a polyurethane coating, which must be applied ii a spray booth in the workshop, which would WO 90/04073 PC/AU89/00444 9 not be possible if the panelling were to polished on site.

Significantly, the danger of damage to the panelling, or to the existing paint work in the room to be panelled is greatly diminished since the only components in the system which are fastened with screws or nails are the batten members, and these are normally hidden from view once the components of the panelling system have been assembled and installed on site.

Most importantly, the panelling can be assem'led and installed quickly ani requires no polishing on site.

The components of the modular panelling system are preferably made of a high quality wood for example, mahogany, however the system is obviously applicable to other panelling materials such as laminates and other suitable materials.

It will be obvious to those skilled in cabinet-making that many modifications and variations can be made to the panelling system, other than those already described, without departing from the basic concepts of the invention. For example, the locating and engaging formations of the batten and frame members need not utilise a tongue and groove arrangement or grooves and intermediate fastening means as in the illustrated preferred embodiments, but can be formed utilising many other known forms of joint arrangement.

Although the expression "base locating member" has been used to describe the basic member from which the frame members extend, this need not be a lower horizontal member. For example, the base locating member may be an upper horizontal or may be a vertical member.

It is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be made to the features of the possible and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention as herein described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I_

Claims (10)

1. A panelling system for panelling of a wall, the system comprising: a plurality of panel members a base locating member (10) for fixing to a wall, the base locating member (10) having a longitudinal edge (12) and being provided with a locating formation (46) extending along the longitudinal edge so as to provide a locating datum; first and second elongate frame members (14) adapted be located against the wall and to extend away from the base locating member each frame member (14) having an engaging formation (40) at an end thereof so as to co-operate with the locating formation of the base locating member (10) whereby, in use, the ends of the frame members (14) engage with the locating formation (46) along the longitudinal edge (12) of the base locating member (10) so as to be located at positions determined by the locating datum, the frame members (14) forming spaced parallel boundaries of a frame within which one of the panel members (60) is received, third and fourth elongate frame members each of the third and fourth frame members (24) having engaging formations (42) at its opposite ends the first and second frame members (14) being each further provided with a locating formation (43) facing in use towards the other one of the first and second frame members (14) so as to co-operate with and thereby locate the engaging formations (42) of the' third and fourth frame members (24) whereby, in use, the ends (26) of the third and fourth frame members (24) engage and co-operate with the first and second frame members (14) to form spaced parallel cross members of the frame which receives the panel member and a cover member (34) adapted to extend along and to cover and conceal the base locating member (10) after assembly of the elongate frame members (14, 24), the frame members (14, 24) remaining at least partially exposed after assembly of the cover member (34) and panel member

2. A panelling system as claimed in Claim 1 and characterised by a second locating member (20) for fixing to the wall at a position spaced from the base locating member (10) so that the frame members I rsUBST SHEET RECEIVED 2 0 AUG 1990 PET/AU 8 9 0 0 4 4 4 11 (14) extend in use across the space between the base locating member and second locating members the second locating member having a locating formation (52) facing in use towards the base locating member at least one of the frame members (14) having an engaging formation (40a) at a further end thereof so as to co-operate with the locating formation (52) of the second locating member

3. A panelling system as claimed in Claim 2 characterised in that the second locating member (20) is elongated and has a longitudinal edge (22) along which the locating formation (52) extends, both the first and second frame members (14) being provided with the engaging formations (40a) at their respective further ends whereby both the frame members (14) engage and co-operate with the locating formations (46, 52) extending along the longitudinal edges (12, 22) of both the base locating member (10) and the spaced second locating member

4. A panelling system as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that the locating formations (43) provided by the first and second frame members (14) comprise locating formations extending along respective longitudinal edges (28) of the first and second frame members (14). A panelling system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that each said engaging formation (40, 42) has a complementary shape to the respective co-operating locating formation (46, 52, 43) so as to mate therewith.

6. A panelling system as claimed in Claim 5 characterised in that the locating formations (43, 46, 52) and engaging formations 42) comprise complementary male and female formations which providea an interference fit so as to positively locate and retain the fr'ame members (14, 24) with respect to the locating members (10,

7. A panelling system as claimed in Claim 6 characterised in that the male and female formations comprise mating tongue and groove formations.

8. A panelling system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 characterised in that fastening means (70) co-operates with both the engaging formation (40, 40a, 42) and the respective locating formations (46, 52, 43) and fastens the engaging members together.

9. A panelling system as claimed in any one of the preceding SyS claims and further characterised by a third locating member (32) for SA fixing to the wall and adapted to mount a skirting board the |s~iuB~v^^ I 44 6 RECEIVED 2 0 AUGa 1990 PCF/AU8 12 8 9/0 04 4 third locating member (32) having a longitudinal edge (36) provided with a locating formation (44) extending along the longitudinal edge and the skirting board (34) being provided with a mating engaging formation (38) extending therealong and which engages with the locating formation (44) of the third locating member (32). A method of assembling a modular panelling system, the method comprising: fixing to a wall a base locating member (10) having a longitudinal edge (12) and being provided with a location formation (46) extending along the longitudinal edge (12) so as to provide a locating datum; arranging against the wall first and second elongate frame members each of the frame members (14) being provided with an engaging formation (40) at an end thereof so as to co-operate with the locating formation (46) of the base locating member (10) with the engaging formations (40) of the frame members (14) engaging and co-operating with the locating formation (46) along the longitudinal edge (12) of the base locating member (10) so as to be located at pozsitions determined by the locating datum; mounting third and fourth elongate frame members each of the third and fourth elongate frame members (24) being provided with engaging formations (42) at their respective opposite ends each of the first and second frame members (14) being further provided with a locating formation (43) facing towards the other one of the first and second frame members the mounting of the third and fourth frame members (24) being carried out so that the third and fourth frame mem~bers (24) co-operate with the locating formations (43) of the first and second frame members (14) to form spaced parallel cross members of a frame which receives the panel member locating a panel member (60) in the frame formed by the first and second frame members (14) extending away from the base locating member (10) and the third and fourth members (24) extendinhg between the first and second frame members and mounting a co'ver member (34) so as to extend along and cover and conceal the base locating member, (10) after assembly of the elongate frame members (14, 24), -the'frame members (14, 24) remaining ISUBSTITUTE SIEL v RECEIVED 1990 CT/A 8 9 0 0 4 4 4 13 at least partially exposed after assembly of the cover member (34) and panel member

11. A method of assembling a modular panelling system as claimed in Claim 10 characterised by the further step of fixing a second locating member (20) to the wall, the second locating member having a locating formation at least one of the frame members (14) having an engaging formation (40a) at a further end thereof, the second locating member (20) being engaged with the engaging formation of the frame member (14) so as to be spaced from the base locating member (10) when it is fixed to the wall, the step of locating the panel member (60) in the frame being carried out after the fixing of the second locating member (20) to the wall.

12. A method of assembling a modular panelling system as claimed in Claim 11 characterised in that the second locating member (20) is an elongated member having a longitudinal edge the locating formation (52) of the second locating member (20) being provided along the longitudinal edge (22) and both of the first and second elongate frame members (14) engaging with the locating formation (52) of the second locating member (20) before fixing of the second locating member (20) to the wall. Arf 6~I, |SUBSTITUTE SHEETI 1