AU749548B2

AU749548B2 - Partition and components thereof

Info

Publication number: AU749548B2
Application number: AU59548/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Eddie Farrugia
Original assignee: SPIRIT INTERIORS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: SPIRIT INTERIORS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1997-03-25
Filing date: 1998-03-25
Publication date: 2002-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 2018-03-25
Also published as: AU5954898A

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

STANDARD PATENT 6* 0 S Applicant(s): SPIRIT INTERIORS PTY LTD Invention Title: PARTITION AND COMPONENTS

THEREOF

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: -1I- 2 PARTITION AND COMPONENTS THEREOF The present invention relates to a partition formed from one or more panels. The present invention also relates to components of the panels that form the partition.

Partitions are used widely to create office environments.

The principal function of partitions is to sub-divide an otherwise open space into a plurality of separate offices or workstations to allow people privacy and to minimise the noise levels within the open space.

A number of known partitions systems have features that enable separate panels of the partition to be clipped together. Such panels include decorative material-covered plasterboard walls surrounded by extruded side edges which have particular features to enable clipping together of the adjacent panels. In addition, it may be desirable to S change the decorative faces of partitions that become damaged through use.

*When offices are redecorated and new colour schemes are "introduced, it may be desirable to change the decorative faces of the partitions.

S"In order to change the decorative faces of the partitions of these known partition systems, it may be necessary to disassemble the partitions and to replace each entire panel with a new panel that includes the new decorative face.

Even where the partitions are relative straightforward to disassemble, it is fairly difficult and time consuming to replace all panels in the office with new panels, and this service accordingly attracts a high service charge.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a partition in which the decorative face of the panels can be interchanged without dismantling the panels from the H:\Narelle\Keep\speci\P05844.doc 25/03/98 07/05 '02 TUE 16:04 FAX 61 3 9243 8333 GRIFFITH HACK 0~008 partitions.

According to the present invention there is provided a partition which includes. one or more panels and each panel includes: (i a decorative wall; (ii) a framework for receiving the decorative wall including a plurality Of enlongate frame elements, each of which defines one edge of the framework; and (iii) one or more retaining members in the form of retaining beads that extend along sections or the length of at least two of the t framework elements to hold the decorative wall against the framework, the retaining members being removable and replaceable to enable the .9 decorative wall to be removed and replaced with another decorative wall.

it is preferred that the framework defines a bracket into which the decorative wall can be received.

~it is particularly preferred that the bracket opens towards 999* a front or a rear of the partition.

The term "edge" is used in its broadest sense in this specification and the claims and includes edges of sections or areas of a framework that will contain separate decorative wall panels.

It is further preferred that the framework be rectangular in shape and includes two parallel pairs of elongate frame elements.

it is preferred that each elongate frame element has a face that defines the base of the bracket, and a receiving AT 09 channel that extends outwardly from the face, said H,\suzanMe 0 \K"ep\specij\59.4R.VS clevit stpirit interiors 2-5-200)2.dac '705/02 4 receiving channel being adapted to removably receive the retaining bead.

It is preferred that the retaining bead and the receiving channel together define a detent means that enables the retaining bead to be removably locked to the receiving channel.

It is particularly preferred that the retaining bead includes a locking portion that slots into the receiving channel, and a restraining flange that extends laterally of the locking portion and in use lies against a peripheral edge region of the decorative wall when in the retaining .:..position.

It is preferred more particularly that the locking portion of the retaining bead includes a guiding arm and a locking flange, and the receiving channel of the elongate frame element includes a locking groove that receives the locking 20 flange when the locking portion of the retaining bead is inserted into the receiving channel of the elongate frame element.

0 It is preferred that the framework includes front and rear 25 brackets for receiving walls on each side of the framework.

It is preferred that the partition includes a plurality of panels and posts, the panels and posts having features to enable interlocking of adjacent panels and posts.

In a particularly preferred arrangement, the features for interlocking are as described in Australian patent application 80390/94 and in disclosure in that patent application is incorporated herein by cross-reference.

The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to a preferred embodiment of the H:\Narele\Keep\speci\P05844.doc 25/03/98 invention which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a section of a partition formed in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-section of a retaining bead formed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-section of an elongate side frame element formed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a cross-section of an elongate frame top or bottom element formed in accordance with the 20 preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a horizontal cross-section of a section of the partition of the preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is front elevation of two panels of the partition formed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention.

The partition 5 illustrated in Figure 6 includes two panels 6 locked together. The left hand panel 6 (as viewed in Figure 6) includes a decorative wall 1, a framework 7 that is adapted to receive the decorative wall 1, and four retaining members, or more specifically, four retaining beads 3, that are removably attached to the framework 7 in such a manner as to hold the decorative wall 1 to the framework 7.

H:\Narelle\Keep\speci\P05844.doc 25/03/98 6 The decorative wall 1 includes a rectangle of plasterboard covered on one surface by a layer of material with foam backing.

The framework 7 includes a pair of elongate frame side elements 2, an elongate frame top element 4 and an identically-shaped elongate frame bottom element 4. These four frame elements are screwed together by screws (not illustrated) to form a rectangular framework 7.

Each of the elongate frame elements 2, 4 includes matching front and rear faces illustrated generally by the letters A and B, respectively.

Both the front and rear faces of the elongate frame elements 2, 4 include an abutment face 8 against which the decorative wall 1 can be held. Each of the elongate frame elements 2, 4 in the framework 7 is joined together so that 20 the abutment faces 8 or each of the elongate frame elements, 2, 4 are in the same plane.

o o Extending outwardly from each abutment face 8 of each elongate frame element 2, 4, is a receiving channel 9. The 25 receiving channel 9 includes an outer wall 10 that defines the outer edge of the channel, and an inner wall 11, that defines the inner edge of the receiving channel 9. The abutment faces 8 and the inner walls 11 of the elongate frame elements 2, 4 of the framework 7 together define a bracket into which the decorative wall 1 can be received.

The bracket substantially surrounds the peripheral edges of the decorative wall 1.

As is best illustrated in Figure 1, the decorative wall 1 can be positioned against the bracket defined by the abutment face 8 and inner wall 11 of the elongate frame elements 2, 4. Once positioned, the retaining beads 3 can H:\Narelle\Keep\speci\P05844.doc 25/03/98 7 be attached to each of the elongate frame elements 2, 4 so as to hold the decorative wall panel against the framework 7 in a retained position.

Each retaining bead 3 includes a locking portion (generally indicated by the number 12) that is adapted to slot into the receiving channel 9 of the elongate frame element 2, 4, and a restraining flange 13 that extends laterally of the locking portion 12 and in use lies against a peripheral edge region of the decorative wall 1 when snapped together.

It can readily be appreciated that, in this position, the abutment faces 8 and the inner walls 11 of the brackets and the retaining flanges 13 of the retaining beads 3 define :i channels that receive and retain the edge regions of the 15 decorative wall. This locking portion 12 includes a cranked guiding arm 14 and a locking flange 15. The inner wall 11 of the receiving channel 9 of each elongate frame element 2, 4 includes a locking grove 16 at its outer end.

*..When the locking portion 12 of the retaining bead 3 is 20 inserted into the receiving channel 9 of the elongate frame element 2, 4, the locking flange 15 of the retaining bead 3 will snap into the locking groove 16 of the receiving channel 9. Together, these features of the retaining bead 3 and the receiving channel define a detent means.

As illustrated in the left hand panel 6 of Figure 6, the retaining beads 3 corresponding to each elongate frame element 2, 4 are of the same length as the corresponding elongate frame element 2, 4.

The right hand panel 6 illustrated in Figure 6 includes a pair of elongate frame side elements 2, an elongate frame top element 4 and a wider elongate frame bottom element 17.

The elongate frame bottom element 17 includes an upwardlyopen U-shaped channel (not illustrated in detail) that can receive one edge of the decorative wall. In this panel, only three retaining beads 3 are used to hold the H:\Narelle\Keep\speci\P05844.doc 25/03/98 8 decorative wall 1 against the remaining three sides of the framework 7.

In order to interchange the decorative wall 1 with another like-formed decorative wall, each retaining bead 3 is detached from the receiving channel 9 of the corresponding elongate frame element 2, 4. Any levering means, such as a screw driver, may be used to overcome the detent means and to thereby detach the retaining bead 3 from the framework 7. Once the retaining beads 3 are removed, the decorative wall 1 can be substituted with a different decorative wall 1 and the retaining beads 3 re-inserted into the receiving channels of the corresponding elongate frame elements 2, 4.

Accordingly, the basic framework and structure of the partition system remains erected in the office in which it is located. The only equipment that must be taken to the office in order to change the decorative face of the partition are the new decorative walls. Since the decorative walls are significantly lighter than the 20 complete panels of the partition, it becomes a very simple task to redecorate the office partitions.

o* .Many modifications may be made to the preferred embodiment illustrated without departing from the spirit and scope of 25 the invention.

For example, smaller retaining members may be used in place of the elongate retaining beads 3. In addition, the receiving channel 9 may be recessed from the abutment face 8 of the elongate frame elements, such that the framework does not define a bracket or cavity into which the decorative wall is received. In such an embodiment, the retaining beads 3 may be shaped so as to provide support for the decorative wall 1 and to hold the decorative wall against the framework.

H:\Narelle\Keep\speci\P05844.doc 25/03/98

Claims

1. A partition which includes one or more panels and each panel includes: a decorative wall; (ii) a framework for receiving the decorative wall including a plurality of enlongate frame elements, each of which defines one edge of the framework; and (iii) one or more retaining members in the form of retaining beads that extend along 15 sections or the length of at least two of the framework elements to hold the decorative wall against the framework, the retaining members being removable and replaceable to enable the decorative wall to be removed and replaced with another decorative wall.

2. The partition defined in claim 1, wherein the framework is rectangular in shape and includes two parallel pairs of elongate frame elements.

3. The partition defined in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the framework defines a bracket into which the decorative wall can be received.

4. The partition defined in claim 3 wherein the bracket opens towards a front or a rear of the partition.

The partition defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each elongate frame element has a face against which the decorative wall is located, and a receiving channel that extends along the frame element and Sopens outwardly from the face, and said receiving channel H \cu:,tna9\Kcp\Specii\59Si4S.98 cnsA spirit irt*ilor 2-5-.-002.fdc 7/05/02 07/05 '02 TUE 16:04 FAX 61 3 9243 8333 GIF~ AKLji GRIFFITH HACK [a olo 10 is adapted to removably receive the retaining bead.

6. The partition defined in claim 5 wherein the retaining bead and the receiving channel together define a detent means that enables the retaining bead to be removably locked to the receiving channel.

7. The partition defined in claim 6 wherein the retaining bead includes a locking portion that slots into the receiving channel, and a restraining flange that extends laterally of the locking portion and in use lies against a peripheral edge region of the decorative nill when in the retaining position. S S

8. The partition defined in claim 7 wherein the locking portion of the retaining bead includes a guiding arm and a locking flange, and the receiving channel of the elongate frame element includes a locking groove that receives the locking flange when the locking portion of th retaining bead is inserted into the receiving channel of the elongate frame element. a S S 55 .55 S S S 5555

9. The partition defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the framework includes front and rear 25 brackets for receiving walls on each side of the framewrk.

10. The partition defined in any one of the preceding claims, the partition including a plurality of posts to which the panels are mounted. N: ,5utazneg\Kerpy\S.\SS 4 B 95 clean ep~it t ±ntaricrr 2-5-2002. dye 7/05/02 07/05 '02 TUE 16:05 FAX 61 3 9243 8333 GRIFFITH HACK 19011 2.1 substantially as herein described accompanying drawings.

11. A partition with reference to the Dated this 7th day of may 2002. SPIRIT INTERIORS PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH H&sCK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia *0 S. SS* S *555 S 5555 H:~~zanng\~~\Spoi\!.b489~AAn spirit jntwz-1ofl 2-5202.6V 7/05f02