AU690035B2 - Partitioning system - Google Patents

Description

I I r p00011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act, 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT C o

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TO BE COMPLETED BY THE APPLICANT Ce C.

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.r NAME OF APPLICANT: ACTUAL INVENTORS: ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: INVENTION TITLE: MICHAEL JOSEPH KELLY and FRANCIS THOMAS BUSBY MICHAEL JOSEPH KELLY and FRANCIS THOMAS BUSBY Peter Maxwell Associates Blaxland House, Suite 10, 5 Ross Street, NORTH PARRAMATTA NSW 2151 PARTITIONING SYSTEM The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it know to me:- Ic LIL I_ Id I _1~1~IILIIII a -2- The present invention relates to a partitioning system and to a method of assembling same.

There is a universal need for a partitioning system that is easy to assemble and disassemble. This need is greatest in the office environment where changing office requirements often require the redefining of office space.

Where an office environment is prone to experiencing regular changes in the layout of individual offices and work stations, partitioning systems need to be in place that can 10 accommodate these changes with little overall disruption to the superstructure of the office environment and at low cost.

Of major importance is the need for all such partitioning systems, be they floor to ceiling wall panels used to define individual offices or low height panels used to define work stations or other work space, to be easy to assemble and disassemble. Ease of relocation and servicing are also important requirements of partitioning systems.

Prior art floor to ceiling partitioning systems have, in the main, required considerable time and effort to erect, owing to the feature of continuous mechanical communication between each adjacent panel of the system. This has usually meant that in order to remove a single panel from the partition wall, so as to access wall enclosed communication cables for instance, adjacent panels which interlock the panel to be removed will need to be positionally adjusted or indeed the whole partition wall will need to be dismantled.

This is clearly time consuming and may lead to associated -r I I 11 1 structural problems related to the movement of the surrounding panels.

Such continuous partitioning systems often hinder the rapid redefining of office space vhen required.

There is therefore also a need for a floor to ceiling partitioning system where each of its separate panels may be easily removed without structural disruption to or relocation of the partitioning system. Ease of removal of individual panels should also be a feature of low height "see: partitioning systems.

.6 It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially fog o 10 ameliorate the disadvantages of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided of a partitioning system comprising: at least two panel members, each panel member including a first component of a two component pressure sensitive fixing means attached S 15 to a panel member face portion at one or more predetermined locations S• thereon, at least one post means for supporting the at least two panel S *o S& members, the or each post means including a second component of the said two component pressure sensitive fixing means attached to a pair of opposed outer surface portions thereof, so that the or each post means can support a first of the said at least two pane! members on one of the said pair of opposed outer surface portions and a second of the said at least two panel members on the other of the said pair of opposed outer surface portions, the arrangement being such that by the fixing under pressure of the said first component on each panel member flat onto the said second component on the or each post means, the said first and second panel cJi OT RoA' -Z .A3 41. _r

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I 24/02 '08 Vt M51 PAX 01 2 2470045 PETEBR MAXWELL &t ASSOC. I o7 4 members are spaced apart in opposed co-planar relationship about the or each post means so as to form a cavity therebetween, wherein a first pair of first and second panel members and a second pair of first and second panel members are supported about a post means in end to end relationship, each panel member including a first component of the two component pressure sensitive fixing means attached to a panel member face portion adjacent a vertical edge thereof, and wherein the two component pressure sensitive fixing means is a hook and loop structure, in which a first sheet having a plurality of hook-like members on a surface thereof is adapted to be fixed to a second sheet having.a plurality of looplike members on a surface thereof, under pressure that bonds the hook-like members to the loop-like members.

It is preferred that the said first sheet having a plurality of hook-like members on a surface thereof is attached to the or each said panel member 1 5 face portion, and that the said second sheet having a plurality of loop-like members on a surface thereof is attached to the said post outer surface portions.

Preferably, the or each post means supports a first adjacent end to end pair of panel members on one of the opposed outer surface portions 2D and a second adjacent end to end pair of panel members on the other of the opposed outer surface portions.

It is further preferred that the said first and second components are attached to the said panel member face portions and to the said post outer surface portions respectively by way of a pressure sensitive adhesive substance, Ii I I 666696 6 *c *r 66 6 *66 6 #666 6 *66 66 6 6666 66 *6*e 66 6o 6 6 9O 69 6 In a further preferred form of the invention, the partitioning system Smay further include post means that support first and second panel members at respective locations intermediate the vertical edges of the said panel members, each of the said panel members including a first component of a two component pressure sensitive fixing means attached to a panel member face portion at the said location intermediate the vertical edges of the said panel member, the arrangement being such that the said first and second panel members are fixed to said post means by pressing the said first component flat against the said second component attached 10 to the said post means.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of assembling a partitioning system consisting of at least two panel members, each panel member including a first component of a two component pressure sensitive fixing means attached to a panel member 15 face portion at one or more predetermined locations thereon, at least one post means for supporting the at least two panel members, the or each post means including a second component of the said two component pressure sensitive fixing means attached to a pair of opposed outer surface portions thereof, so that the or each post means can support a first of the said at least two panel members on one of the said pair of opposed outer surface portions and a second of the said at least two panel members on the other of the said pair of opposed outer surface portions, the arrangement being such that by the fixing under pressure of the said first component on each panel member flat onto the said second component on the or each post means, the said first and second panel members are spaced apart in opposed co-planar relationship about the or (tv' T 0 ip *>'Yro9 24/02 '98 TUE 16:52 FAX 61 2 2479945 PETER MiAXWELL X ASSOC. 16oop 6 each post means so as to form a cavity therebetween, wherein a first pair of first and second panel members and a second pair of first and second panel members are supported about a post means in end to end relationship, each panel member Including a first component of the two component pressure sensitive fixing means attached to a panel member faced portion adjacent a verticle edge thereof, and wherein the two component pressure sensitive fixing means is a hook and loop structure, in which a first sheet having a plurality of hook-like members on a surface thereof is adapted to be fixed to a second sheet having a plurality of loop- 1 like members on a surface thereof, under pressure that bonds the hook-like members to the loop-like members, said method comprising the steps of:locating the or each said post means at a predetermined site for supporting the at least two panel members, (ii) locating each panel member adjacent the or each post means, and (iii) pressing each panel member against the or each post means so that the said first component on each panel member-is fixed under pressure to the said second component on the or each post means.

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a 9 9 *a a 9 9 9 a 7 In order that the invention mp' more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a top sectional view of part of a panel supporting assembly of a partitioning system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the panel supporting assembly comprising a post means that supports an adjacent pair of panel members on each one of a pair of opposed outer surface portions of the post means, Fig. 2 is a partly cut-away isometric view of part of a panel supporting assembly similar to that shewn in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is an end sectional view of the upper end portion of a partitioning system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention that ,7 g 4~A includes the panel supporting assembly shown partly in Fig. 1 and a preferred ceiling track, Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the upper end portion of the panel supporting assembly shown partly in Fig. 1, with hidden detail of post means and first and second fixiig means components shown by dotted outline, and 0 Fig. 5 is a partly cut-away isometric view of an 10 assembled partitioning system according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, with hidden detail of the second component of the fixing means shown by dotted outline.

The panel supporting assembly 10 shown top sectionally in Fig. 1 is part of a larger partitioning system, such as that shown in Fig. The vertical stud or post 11 may be made of metal, wood or polymer material. The post 11 has a pair of identical second components of a two component pressure sensitive fixing means, which identical second components, in the present embodiment, consist of a pair of sheets 12 and 13 of loop-like members (not shown in detail) attached within recesses 1 and 15 respectively at opposed outer surface portions reof by way of a pressure sensitive adhesive substance, which may be high bond strength glue. The sheets 12 and 13 extend past the surface of the non-recessed part of the outer surface portions.

II I I The four panels 16, 17, 18 and may be made of conventional wall panelling material such as plasterboard or veneered timber. Each panel 16 to 19 has identical first components of a two component pressure sensitive fixing means, such first components being able to bind under pressure to the second components attached to the post 11.

In the present embodiment, the identical first components on each panel 16 to 19 consist of sheets 20, 21, 22 and 23 of hook-like members (not shown in detail) attached to a respective face portion located adjacent a vertical edge of each of the panels 16 to 19 by way of a pressure sensitive adhesive substance.

Panels 16 and 17 are assembled in end to end relationship along respective vertical edges 24 and 25 so that the sheets 20 and 21 on panels 16 and 17 respectively 04 .can bind to the sheet 12 on post 11 by way of interconnected hook and loop structure.

0 Panels 18 and 19 are also assembled in end to end 0 relationship along respective vertical edges 26 and 27 so that the sheets 22 and 23 on panels 18 and 19 respectively can bind to the sheet 13 on post 11 also by way of interconnected hook and loop structure.

In a preferred form, the two component pressure sensitive fixing means is VELCRO (trade mark) that has a well understood interconnectable hook and loop structure.

Normally, each panel is attached to a post in sequential order so as to ensure optimal binding.

-I I ii I The exposed outer vertically extending corner of each of any two adjacent panels, such as panels 18 and 19, are bevelled in the present embodiment so as to form bevelled edges 28 and 29 that improve the aesthetic appearance of the partitioning system and reduce the risk of injury, such as may arise if a person inadvertently catches their skin against adjoining panel edges formed at right angles.

Fig. 2 shows a panel supporting assembly 30 similar to 6 that of Fig. 1 partly cut-away in an isometric view to reveal *a 10 an exposed portion of the sheet 31 of loop-like members. The outer surface portion 32 of the post 33 is unlike the outer surface portion of the post 11 to which sheet 13 is attached because outer surface portion 32 does not have a recess into **ah S" *which the sheet 31 is located, but rather the outer surface portion 32 is flat. Sheet 31 is attached to the flat outer surface portion 32 across its full width as shown.

*0 4 In all other respects and apart from the absence of panels at the rear or opposed outer surface portion to the front surface portion 32 of the post 33, the panel supporting assembly 30 is structurally and functionally identical to the panel supporting assembly 10 shown in Fig. 1. In this specification, identical features between the drawings of Figs. 1 to 5 are identified by identical numerals.

The upper end portion of a partitioning svstem 35 shown in end sectional view in Fig. 3 and ii, side elevational view in Fig. 4, includes the panel supporting assembly 10 of Fig.

1 and a universal head member or ceiling track 36.

I I -11- Fig. 3, in particular, shows that the sheets 12 and 13 which are attached to post 11 and sheets 20 to 23 which are attached to the panels (only sheets 21 and 23 of panels 17 and 19 shown in Fig. 3) do not extend the full height of the assembly 35. The height limit of the sheets may vary but should be sufficient tc provide effective fixing of the panels to the post so as to achieve the objects of the invention.

Although not shown in either of Figs. 3 and 4, the 10 ceiling track 36 is screwed firmly to the ceiling. The ceiling track 36 consists of downwardly extending flange portions 37, 38, 39 and 40 (shown in Fig. 3) that define cavities adapted to receive therein the structural members of the partitioning system 35. The upper end of post 11 is insertably received in the cavity defined between flange portions 38 and 39, the upper end of panel 17 is insertably received in the cavity defined between flange portions 37 and 38, and the upper end of panel 19 is insertably received in the cavity defined between flange portions 39 and During assembly of the partitioning system of the invention, it is preferred that the stru.tural members, namely the posts and panels, are inserted into their respective cavities in the ceiling track prior to being fixed to the floor.

The assembled partitioning system 45 shown partly cutaway in Fig. 5 comprises a plurality of posts (only posts 46, 47 and 48 shown exposed) that support panels 49, 50 and 51

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-12- (post 49 shown partly cut-away). The upper end of the posts and panels are fitted into the ceiling track 52.

Each post has a pair of sheets or strips of loop-like members (angled lines show exposed sheets 53, 54 and 55, and dotted outline shows sheets on hidden posts) attached to opposed outer surface portions as described with respect to Figs. 1 to 4.

Although not shown, each parnal 49 to 51 has sheets or

S.

strips of hook-like members attached at three predetermined 10 locations of the face portion, two of these locations being adjacent both vertical edges of the face portion (as described with respect to Figs. 1 to 4) and a third location being intermediate the vertical edges of the face portion.

In this way, a pair of posts (such as posts 46 and 48) may be located so as to support the two face portions that are adjacent the vertical edges of a panel (such as at panel 49) and a single post (such as post 47) may be located Intermediate the said vertical edges so as to support the panel at its vertically extending midline. At each of these three locations there is an interconnected hook and loop structure between the posts 46 to 48 and panel 49 that ensures effective binding strength therebetween. An identical structure supports panels 50 and 51 against their respective posts.

The lower ends of the posts and panels of the partitioning system shown in Fig. 5 are fixed to the floor by a skirting 57 that extends along the length of the partitioning system shown.

~1 -13- As will be readily appreciated from the aforementioned description, the partitioning system of the present invention may be easily assembled in considerably less time than is required to assemble prior art partitioning systems. The ease of assembly applies for both the floor to ceiling embodiment of the partitioning system of the present invention, which is useful for defining office space, and for the low height embodiment of the partitioning system of the present invention, which is useful for defining work stations 10 and the like. Similarly, the partitioning system of the *0oo present invention may be easily and rapidly disassembled for relocation.

In a preferred form, the assembly of a Li-or to ceiling wall of the partitioning system of the present invention may take the following procedure.

Corner points are set by the builder to define the site of the proposed wall. A ceiling track is screwed into the 6:60 000 ceiling and a floor track is screwed to the floor at sites corresponding to the proposed wall. Posts are located between the ceiling track and floor track at approximately 600 mm intervals. Panels, which are preferably about 1,200 mm wide, are then inserted firstly into the ceiling track and then against the floor track in such a way that, by applying pressure, there is formed an interconnected hook and loop structure between the posts and panels for supporting the panels in a manner similar to that described with respect to Figs. 1 to 5. A skirting is then screw fixed against each panel face adjacent the bottom edges of the panels.

I I -14- In the case of low height partitioning systems, a ceiling track will not be required, and an upper track may or may not be required depending on the height, length and overall stability of the partitioning system.

In order to disassemble a floor to ceiling wall embodiment of the present invention, the skirting is removed and the panels are then simply peeled off the posts, bottom end first. The posts and tracks may then be removed.

Similar ease of disassembly of a low height wall embodiment of the present invention is possible.

The partitioning system of the present invention therefore has distinct advantages over prior art partitioning systems in that it does not rely on continuous mechanical foe.

connection between adjacent or opposed panels or between panels and posts. Each panel of the partitioning system of the present invention may be removed from its location on a partitioning wall independently of the other panels and without the need to adjust the location of other panels.

This is particularly important when access is required to wall enclosed communication cables for instance.

Various modifications may be made in details of design and construction without departing from the scope or ambit of the invention.

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_,.JALJL '8 TUEf 1803 FAX 81 2 2470045 PIETER MAXWELL ASSOC.

16 thereof is adapted to be fixed to a second sheet having a plurality of looplike members on a surface thereof, under pressure that bonds the hook-like members to the loop-like members.

2, The partitioning system of claim 1 wherein the said first sheet having a plurality of hook-like members on a surface thereof is'attached to each said panel member face portion, and the said second sheet having a plurality of loop-like members on a surface thereof is attached to the said post outer surface portions.

3. The partitioning system of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the said first and second components are attached to the said panel member face portions and to the said post outer surface portions respectively by way of a pressure sensitive adhesive substance.

4. The partitioning system of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the partitioning system further includes post means that support first and second panel members at respective locations intermediate the vertical edges of the said panel members, each of the said panel members including a first component of a two component pressure sensitive fixing means attached to a panel member face portion at the said location intermediate the vertical edges of the said panel member, the arrangement being such that the said first and second panel members are fixed to said post means by pressing the said first component flat against the said second component attached to the said post means.

1 10 12

Claims (1)

1. A partitioning system comprising: at least two panel members, each panel member including a first component of a two component pressure sensitive fixing means attached to a panel member face portion at one or more predetermined locations thereon, at least one post means for supporting the at least two panel members, the or each post means including a second component of the said two component pressure sensitive fixing means attached to a pair of opposed outer surface portions thereof, so that the or each post means can support a first of the said at least two panel members on one of the said pair of opposed outer surface portions and a second of the said at last two panel members on the other of the said pair of opposed outer surface portions, the arrangement being such that by the fixing under pressure of the said first component on each panel member flat onto the said second component on the or each post means, the said first and second panel members are spaced apart in opposed co-planar relationship about the or each post means so as to form a cavity therebetween, wherein a first pair of first -nd second panel members and a second pair of first and second panel members are supported about a post means in end to end relationship, each panel member including a first component of the two component pressure sensitive fixing means attached to a panel member face portion adjacent a vertical edge thereof, and wherein the two component pressure sensitive fixing means is a hook and loop structure, in which a first sheet having a plurality of hook-like members on a surface rl o01 o ~U/oe '08 'TU 16,u14 VAX 61 2 2,170A85 ITTER MnAXWELL 1 ASSOC, 17 A method of assembling the partitioning system of claim 1 comprising the steps of:- locating the or each said post means at a predetermined site for supporting the at least two panel members, (ii) locating each panel member adjacent the or each post means, and (iii) pressing each panel member against the or each post means so that the said first component on each panel member is fixed under pressure to the said second component on the or each post means. Dated this 24 February 1998 MICHAEL JOSEPH KELLY and FRANCIS THOMAS BUSBY Patent Attorney for the Applicant PETER MAXWELL ASSOCIATES ABSTRACT A partitioning system (30) has a plurality of wall panels (18, 19) adapted to be supported by posts (33) which are arranged at intervals along the wall to be erected. Attached to a face portion of each panel (18, 19) is a first component of a two component pressure sensitive fixing means, such as a hook and loop structure. Each panel (18, 19) may 6ee*** have a sheet (22, 23) of hook-like members attached thereto s: along the face portions which are adjacent each vertical edge (26, 27) thereof. Attached to an outer surface portion (32) of each post (33) is a second component of a two component pressure sensitive fixing means. In this case, the second *SSS component is a sheet (31) af loop-like members. The panels (18, 19) are assembled in end to end relationship along respective vertical edges (26, 27) so that each set of adjacent edges meet against a post (33) and each of the panels (18, 19) can be fixed under pressure to the post (33).