PARTITION WALL
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a partition wall comprising a plurality of tubular elements and a cover, which encloses said tubular elements.
Background Art
Partition walls for screening and noise attenuation are known in the art and are generally used, for example, in open-plan offices to divide the space up into a plurality of smaller units, so as to create an undisturbed personal work space, which is protected from view and allows focused work to be car- ried out. Prior-art partition walls are often provided in the form of a flat panel or structure of the desired size, which is mounted on supporting legs to support the structure in an upright position at the desired location. The structure can also be provided with a textile material in order to improve the sound- absorption properties. A partition wall can also consist of a plurality of smaller panel elements, which are arranged side by side so that they together form a wall section. Partition walls can also be designed to have an embellishing effect on the room, thereby contributing to a more pleasant atmosphere. Another advantage of partition walls is that they, because they are mobile, enable the space to be divided up according to need. They can also be useful in, for example, hospital environments or the like, or for the purpose of attenuating noise from machines in a production space.
However, there is still a need for the further developing of partition walls in order to find new ways of constructing them or of improving, for in- stance, their sound-absorption properties, so as to provide partition walls offering even better sound attenuation. Furthermore, it would be desirable to have a partition wall whose properties, such as sound-absorption, fire resistance or aesthetic appearance, can be easily manipulated and selected depending on the specific needs and desires of the user.
Summary of the Invention
The object of the present invention is to obviate at least partly the above problems and, in particular, to provide a partition wall whose properties can be easily manipulated and selected depending on the specific needs and desires of the user.
According to the invention, these objects are achieved by a partition wall having the features as defined in the appended claims. Preferred embodiments of the partition wall are set out in the appended dependent claims. A partition wall according to the present invention comprises a plurality of tubular elements and a cover, which encloses the tubular elements. The tubular elements are vertically oriented and the casing is double-walled and arranged to form channels, which channels enclose the tubular elements. This allows the tubular elements to be arranged in such a way, for example, that the surface of the partition wall in the horizontal direction is at least slightly arc-shaped or wave-shaped. Such a shape can contribute to the stability of the partition wall and can be aesthetically appealing. Moreover, the shape permits a more flexible positioning of the partition wall around, for example, pieces of furniture, which means that the user does not need special partition wall elements adapted to fit around the corners of pieces of furniture, or to be used in other circumstances where it is desirable to alter the direction of extension of the partition wall. In addition, by arranging the tubular elements into a suitable formation, the sound-absorption properties of the partition wall can be improved, whereby a more efficient sound-absorption than that provided by existing partition walls can be obtained. By virtue of a parti- tion wall having the above properties, it is also easier to choose a material for the cover and the tubular elements, respectively, which meets the requirements of the user in terms of, for example, sound absorption, fire resistance or aesthetic appearance.
The cover preferably comprises textile material. A textile material is preferred, since it can be varied depending on the specific needs of the user in terms of, for example, sound absorption or fire resistance. Moreover, it is easy to design a textile material with different colours and patterns. It is even possible to have the material specially designed according to the wishes of the user. Another advantage of using textile materials is that there is no need to develop new materials. In a preferred embodiment, the cover comprises a
woven double cloth of wool. A woven double cloth of wool offers excellent sound absorption and is advantageous in terms of fire resistance.
Furthermore, the cover is joined together at the time of manufacture in such a way that it forms channels. Alternatively, the channels can be formed by means of seams or in any other suitable manner after the manufacture of the double-walled cover. However, by joining together the cover at the time of manufacture, the production process is shortened as the step of sewing the channels or creating them in any other way after the manufacture of the cover is eliminated. The channels are preferably arranged transversely of the direction of extension of the cover, as seen in the direction of manufacture of the cover. In a preferred embodiment, each channel encloses only one tubular element. Such a design may offer a more stable construction as compared with a design where several tubular elements are arranged in one channel. Each channel further encloses the respective tubular element with a tight fit. This causes a frictional force to occur between the channel and the respective tubular element, which helps to prevent the cover from being displaced relative to the respective tubular element. This means that the cover also forms a smooth surface, which makes the appearance of the partition wall more ap- pealing and causes the pattern, if any, of the cover to stand out more clearly.
The cover suitably comprises a sound-absorbing material. This enables further improvement of the sound-absorption properties of the partition wall.
The tubular elements preferably comprise cardboard material. This is preferred from the point of view of the environment, since tubular elements made of cardboard can be re-used. Such tubular elements are also relatively light, which facilitates the handling of the partition wall during use.
The tubular elements suitably comprise recycled material. Recycled material is preferred from the point of view of the environment. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular elements comprise a sound- absorbing material. This enables further improvement of the sound-absorption properties of the partition wall.
Furthermore, the tubular elements can be filled, at least partly, with sound-absorbing material, which improves even further the sound-absorption properties of the partition wall. The sound-absorbing material can also have such properties that increase the fire resistance.
According to one aspect of the invention, the partition wall further comprises at least one supporting element adapted to support the partition wall in a vertical position during use. Such a supporting element enhances the stability of the partition wall in the upright position during use as compared with a partition wall without a supporting element.
According to another embodiment, the partition wall further comprises at least one connecting element, which is adapted to couple together two or more partition walls. This allows the user to create a partition wall of the desired width without the risk of the constituent partition walls accidentally mov- ing relative to each other, for example if someone should accidentally bump into a partition wall. The connecting elements also enable the setting and maintaining of a suitable angle between the constituent parts without the risk of the constituent partition walls accidentally moving relative to each other.
In one embodiment, the partition wall further comprises at least one sealing element arranged at an upper end, seen in the vertical direction, of at least one of said tubular elements. Such a sealing element helps to hold the cover in place relative to the tubular element.
Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, the claims and the drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which by way of example illustrate currently preferred embodiments of the invention. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2a is a top plan view of a cover according to the present invention.
Figure 2b is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the inven- tion.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a part of yet another embodiment of the invention.
Description of Preferred Embodiments Figure 1 shows a partition wall 1 according to the present invention, comprising a plurality of vertically oriented, circular-cylindrical bobbins 2 of cardboard, which are known, for instance, from the textile industry where,
when producing textile materials, the finished product is rolled onto similar cardboard bobbins. The partition wall 1 further comprises a cover 3 formed of a double-walled woven cotton fabric, which at the time of manufacture has been provided with interwoven lines in order to form channels 4. The bobbins 2 are then inserted in these channels, which makes the partition wall stable and gives it other desired properties. The bobbins 2 represent a preferred embodiment of the tubular elements 2 mentioned in the claims. The channels 4 are arranged transversely of the direction of extension of the cover. By direction of extension is here meant the direction in which the cover 3 is manu- factured and not the direction in which the cover 3 has the largest extent, although the two may coincide. The number of bobbins 2 is arbitrary and is determined mainly by the width of the partition wall.
Each bobbin 2 is inserted in an associated channel 4 and enclosed with a tight fit. This causes a frictional force to occur between the channel 4 and the respective bobbin 2, which helps to prevent the cover 3 from being displaced relative to the respective bobbin 2. This means that the cover 3 also forms a smooth surface, which makes the appearance of the partition wall 1 more appealing and causes the pattern, if any, on the cover 3 to stand out more clearly. The bobbins 2 are mutually arranged in such a way that the par- tition wall 1 presents a waved surface in the horizontal direction, see Fig. 1. This shape can help to improve the stability of the partition wall 1 , it can be aesthetically appealing and it can contribute to the sound-absorption properties of the partition wall 1. Accordingly, the partition wall 1 does not necessarily need a separate base, even if this is preferable under normal circum- stances.
The bobbins 2 have a circular cross section of suitable diameter and height. In open-plan offices it is common for the total height of the partition wall 1 to be about 145 cm. The inner diameter of the bobbins 2 is 90 mm and the outer diameter is 96 mm. This diameter is preferred, since it ensures an excellent aesthetic appearance at the same time as the number of bobbins 2 per running metre of partition wall 1 is low. If desirable, the diameter can be varied within the scope of the invention.
As mentioned above, the bobbins 2 comprise cardboard, which is preferred since it may be provided in the form of recycled material. Because cardboard bobbins 2 are relatively light, the handling of the partition wall 1 when rearranging a space, for example, is facilitated. The bobbins 2 as such are formed of sound-absorbing material, or can be filled, at least partly, with a
sound-absorbing material in order to further improve the sound-absorption of the partition wall 1. However, this is not shown on the drawings. The sound- absorbing material can also have excellent fire resistance properties, or the bobbins 2, if desired, can be filled, at least partly, with a material having such properties.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 , the supporting element mentioned in the claims consists of a base 5, which is arranged at the lower end, seen in the vertical direction, of the respective bobbin 2. A base can enhance the stability of the partition wall in the upright position during use as compared with a partition wall without a supporting element. The base 5 can be made of any kind of suitable or desired material, for example metal, plastic or wood.
The base 5 has a circular cross section and an inner diameter which is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the bobbin 2. For a bobbin 2 with an outer diameter of approximately 96 mm, this means that the inner diameter of the base 5 is approximately 97 mm. By inserting the lower end 6 of the bobbin 2 in the supporting element the base 5 is held in place. The figure also shows an oblong plate 9, which is joined to a base 5. The plate 9 is arranged in a milled-out groove 10 at a lower end, seen in the vertical direction, of the base 5 when the base 5 is mounted on the bobbin 2. Such a plate 9 further in- creases the stability of the partition wall 1. Alternatively, the plate 9 can form part of the base 5.
Fig. 2a is a top plan view of the cover 3 only, including the channels 4. The double-walled cover 3 is joined together at the time of manufacture in such a way as to form the channels 4. However, by joining together the cover 3 at the time of manufacture, the production process is shortened as the step of sewing the channels or creating them in any other way after the manufacture of the cover 3 is eliminated. The symmetrical channels 4, i.e. where the circumference of the channels 4 is made up of two halves of cover material of the same length, have such dimensions as to enable the insertion of the bob- bins 2 therein with the channels enclosing the bobbins 2 with a tight fit. Symmetrical channels 4 are convenient from the point of view of manufacture, since channels 4 of this kind are easier to manufacture.
The cover 3 comprises a textile material, which is preferable since it can be varied according to the specific needs of the user in terms of, for ex- ample, sound absorption or fire resistance. Moreover, it is easy to design a textile material with different colours and patterns. It is even possible to have the material specially designed according to the wishes of the user. Another
advantage of textile materials is that there is no need to develop new materials. The cover 3 further comprises a sound-absorbing material in order to further improve the sound-absorbing properties of the partition wall 1. This material is a woven wool material, which has excellent sound-absorbing properties and excellent properties in terms of fire resistance. The material of the cover 3 is flexible so as to facilitate the insertion of the tubular elements 2 in the channels 4.
Fig. 2b is a top plan view of the cover 3 in Fig. 2a with bobbins 2 being inserted in order to illustrate the wave-shaped extension of the partition wall 1. The figure also illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention without plates 9.
Fig. 3 shows part of a partition wall 1 , which is provided with sealing elements, here in the form of lids 7, which are arranged at an upper end, seen in the vertical direction, of the respective bobbin 2. Fig. 3 also shows how a bobbin 2 is inserted in the channel 4 of the cover 3 in the direction a.
The lid 7 is cup-shaped and has the same cross-sectional shape as the bobbin 2. The inner diameter of the lid 7, in relation to the outer diameter of the respective bobbin 2, is such that the bobbin 2 and the cover 3 can be inserted in the lid 7 and that the lid 7 seals the bobbin 2 and the lid 3 with a tight fit. In this way, the lid 7 helps to hold the cover 3 in place relative to the bobbin 2 and gives the partition wall 1 a more aesthetically appealing appearance. Moreover, the lid 7 can comprise any kind of material, for example plastic material, metal, cardboard, textile material or wood.
To create the desired formation of partition walls 1 , two or more can be arranged in line or at the desired angle to each other. To obtain a more stable construction, two adjacent partition walls 1 can be interconnected by means of a connecting element (not shown). This allows the user to create a partition wall 1 of the desired width without the risk of the constituent partition walls 1 accidentally moving relative to each other, for example if someone should accidentally bump into a partition wall. The connecting element can be a lid 7 which seals two or more bobbins 2. To achieve the desired angle between two adjacent partition walls 1 , said walls can be interconnected by means of a lid 7, the portions intended for the different partition walls 1 being arranged at a desired angle, in the horizontal plane, relative to each other. The desired angle can be any arbitrary angle. The bobbins 2 and the cover 3 are then inserted in the lid 7 as described above. Alternatively, the portions of the lid 7 that are intended for the different partition walls 1 can be articulately con-
nected to each other. Alternatively, the connecting elements can comprise two or more bases 5, which are joined to each other in line, at the desired angle or articulately in a corresponding manner. These bases 5 are then mounted on the bobbins 2 in the manner described above. It is possible to vary the described features in various ways within the scope of the invention; several bobbins 2 may, for example, be inserted in a single channel 4. The bobbins 2 can be mutually arranged in such a way that the surface of the partition wall 1 in the horizontal direction is substantially straight, concave or convex, but this generally requires some kind of support- ing function, for example the base 5 and plate 9 mentioned above, in order to support the partition wall 1 in the upright position.
Alternatively, the height of the bobbins 2 can be 195 cm, if it is desirable to prevent the user from being able to see over the bobbin 2 when standing up. It is also possible to vary the height of the bobbins 2, if this is desir- able. Moreover, the bobbins 2 can have a suitable cross section other than circular, for example elliptic, triangular, tetragonal or polygonal. The tubular elements 2, which have been described above as bobbins 2, can further comprise other materials than the recycled or non-recycled materials described above, for example plastic materials, metals or wood materials. Pref- erably, the material is of relatively low density in order to make the tubular elements 2 lightweight, which facilitates the handling of the partition wall 1 , for example in conjunction with rearrangements.
The channels 4 of the cover 3 can be provided either by sewing them on or by creating them in any other way after the double-walled cover 3 has been manufactured, for example by gluing or melting provided that the material of the cover 3 withstands such treatment. The cover 3 can further comprise a special, sound-absorbing material in order to further improve the sound-absorbing properties of the partition wall 1. The cover 3 can comprise loosely woven cotton fabric, which has excellent sound-absorption properties. Also other types of materials are conceivable within the scope of the invention, such as a synthetic, woven or non-woven material, a plastic material, a knitted textile material or a woven material made up of different natural fibres, of different synthetic fibres or of a combination of these.
In order to maintain the wave-shaped extension, the channels 4 can be arranged in such a way that they strive to hold the bobbins 2 in the desired formation once the partition wall 1 has been arranged in its vertical position. This can be achieved by the channels 4 being asymmetrically designed, such
that part of one side of the double-walled cover 3 forms more than half the circumference of the channel 4, thereby enclosing more than half the circumference of the bobbin 2. By arranging a number of channels 4 of this kind side by side, the cover 3 will strive to maintain a curved shape along its direction of extension towards the side of the cover 3 that forms less than half the cross section for each channel 4. By arranging a number of channels 4 of this kind and a number of mirror-inverted channels 4 side by side, the desired wave- shaped formation can be maintained. The wave-shape extension of the partition wall 1 can also be maintained in other ways, see below. The base 5 can have an inner diameter which is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the bobbin 2. In this case, the base 5 is held in place by inserting it into the lower end 6 of the bobbin 2. If the bobbin 2 has a cross section other than circular, the corresponding relationship applies between the cross section of the bobbin 2 and the supporting element 5, respectively. Alternatively, the base 5 can have the form of a disc of the desired thickness and with an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the bobbin 2. The disc has a circular groove on the side adapted to be connected to the bobbin 2. The groove is sufficiently wide to enable the bobbin walls and the enclosing cover to be inserted in the groove. When using non-circular tubular elements 2, the base has a shape that for connecting purposes matches the tubular element 2. It is also possible to join the base 5 to the bobbin 2 by the base 5 being provided with two or more opposite, projecting members, which in their rest position are located at a distance from each other that is slightly greater than the inner diameter or width of the bobbin 2, and which projecting members can be moved towards each other for insertion into the bobbin 2. When positioned inside the bobbin, the projecting members are applied against the inner wall of the bobbin 2, thereby holding the base 5 in place. If, instead, the tubular elements 2 comprise a suitable material, the tubular elements 2 and the base 5 can also each be provided with a complementary part of a snap-type fastening element. Depending on the choice of material, the base 5 may form part of the tubular elements 2.
In the case of tubular elements 2 with a non-circular cross section, the corresponding relationship, as described above, applies between the cross section of the bobbin 2 and the lid 7, respectively. Each lid 7 can also have a shape such that it seals two or more tubular elements 2. A lid 7 of this kind which encloses several tubular elements 2 can also be used to maintain the desired formation of the partition wall 1 in the direction of extension of the
cover 3. In this case, the lid 7 is designed such that each portion adapted to seal a tubular element 2 has the appropriate angle relative to the corresponding adjacent portion. This angle is adapted such that the desired formation in the direction of extension of the partition wall 1 is obtained. Alternatively, the adjacent portions of the lid 7 that are intended for sealing a tubular element 2 can be articulately connected to each other. In one alternative embodiment, the cover 3 is sealed at the upper end, seend in the vertical direction, of the partition wall 1. In this case, the partition wall can be designed without lids, if desirable. The wave shape of the partition wall 1 in the direction of extension can also be maintained by means of a base 5 of the corresponding shape.
Although the above invention has been described using tubular elements 2 as the starting point, rod elements, which are of the same shape and have the same properties as the tubular elements 2 described above, but which are solid, may also be used within the scope of the invention.