EP3596281A1 - Method and arrangement for forming a wall - Google Patents

Method and arrangement for forming a wall

Info

Publication number
EP3596281A1
EP3596281A1 EP18768435.2A EP18768435A EP3596281A1 EP 3596281 A1 EP3596281 A1 EP 3596281A1 EP 18768435 A EP18768435 A EP 18768435A EP 3596281 A1 EP3596281 A1 EP 3596281A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
rail
wall element
installation
wall
frame
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP18768435.2A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3596281A4 (en
Inventor
Mika Vihavainen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Luomoa Oy
Original Assignee
Spesiaaliasennus Oy
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Spesiaaliasennus Oy filed Critical Spesiaaliasennus Oy
Publication of EP3596281A1 publication Critical patent/EP3596281A1/en
Publication of EP3596281A4 publication Critical patent/EP3596281A4/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
    • E04B2/74—Removable non-load-bearing partitions; Partitions with a free upper edge
    • E04B2/7407—Removable non-load-bearing partitions; Partitions with a free upper edge assembled using frames with infill panels or coverings only; made-up of panels and a support structure incorporating posts
    • E04B2/7416—Removable non-load-bearing partitions; Partitions with a free upper edge assembled using frames with infill panels or coverings only; made-up of panels and a support structure incorporating posts with free upper edge, e.g. for use as office space dividers
    • E04B2/7433—Removable non-load-bearing partitions; Partitions with a free upper edge assembled using frames with infill panels or coverings only; made-up of panels and a support structure incorporating posts with free upper edge, e.g. for use as office space dividers with panels and support posts
    • E04B2/7437—Removable non-load-bearing partitions; Partitions with a free upper edge assembled using frames with infill panels or coverings only; made-up of panels and a support structure incorporating posts with free upper edge, e.g. for use as office space dividers with panels and support posts with panels hooked onto posts
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F13/00—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings
    • E04F13/07—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor
    • E04F13/08—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor composed of a plurality of similar covering or lining elements
    • E04F13/0801—Separate fastening elements
    • E04F13/0803—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements
    • E04F13/081—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements with additional fastening elements between furring elements and covering elements
    • E04F13/083—Hooking means on the back side of the covering elements
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B2/00—Walls, e.g. partitions, for buildings; Wall construction with regard to insulation; Connections specially adapted to walls
    • E04B2/74—Removable non-load-bearing partitions; Partitions with a free upper edge
    • E04B2002/7483—Details of furniture, e.g. tables or shelves, associated with the partitions

Definitions

  • the invention relates to system walls and, in particular, to a system for building a wall out of wall elements and installation rails.
  • wall surfaces are finished by painting, wallpapering, tiling, or panelling. If it is desired to change the appearance of the wall surfaces, the surface material is replaced or another surface treatment is applied over the old surface. Such a procedure is usually time consuming, in particular if it concerns a larger change and it is desired to change the location of electrical sockets or the TV in the room space.
  • the restoration activities also generate construction dust that spreads all over the surroundings, in which case the surfaces to be kept must be well protected.
  • Publication US 20160168863 discloses a modular decorative wall that is constructed from metal frames and panels attached to them. The metal frames are fixed directly to the back wall.
  • Publication US 20130305638 de-scribes a modular wall system in which a metal frame is assembled out of parts and panels are fixed to the frame. The system has a lot of different parts and assembling the system is complicated and time consuming.
  • the solutions of both publications require a lot of assembly work on site, which slows down construction work. Brief description of the invention
  • the invention is based on forming a wall by means of a system which comprises at least two installation rails and at least one wall element.
  • the wall element comprises at least two frame rails and a panel and/or fixture.
  • the system additionally comprises guiding means for installing the wall element in the hori- zontal direction in connection with the installation rail, and locking means for de- tachably locking the wall element, installed in the horizontal direction, in connection with the installation rail. Since the installation of a wall element in connection with an installation rail takes place in the horizontal direction, only, there is no need for a gap over or below the wall element for the purpose of installation. Likewise, the wall elements may be installed and removed in a freely chosen order.
  • the locking means may be separate from guiding means. This way, both the locking means and guiding means may be formed simple and thus solid and reliable.
  • the locking means comprise a turning or flexible latch provided with a clip part, the latch being adapted in a first of the installation rail and frame rail whereby a second of the installation rail and frame rail has a counter form for the clip part whereby the wall element may be detach- ably fixed to the installation rail.
  • the wall according to the invention may be built on top of a finished wall surface whereby installation rails are fixed to the wall and wall elements, prefabricated at a factory, are fixed to the installation rails, in which case the assembly of the wall element itself does not take up time.
  • the wall may also be a partition wall or a movable, screen type of wall, which is constructed by means of installation rails and wall elements, only.
  • the installation rails and frame rails of the wall element may be manufactured industrially with a uniform quality by laser-cutting, whereby a wall element may be fixed to installation rails quickly and dimensionally accurately.
  • This allows a simple and high-quality installation of the surface materials, in addition, a sheet metal work centre is able to manufacture products with a larger production volume.
  • the wall element is aesthetically stylish, because the free space left between the walls is as small as possible, such as 1 to 3 mm, only.
  • the dimensioning of the panels and frame are easy to change according to the installation site.
  • ⁇ materials of a wall numerous materials may be used, such as tiles, panels, or glass, whereby the appearance of the wall surfaces may be varied in many ways. Due to the wall surface consisting of a finished wall elements manufactured at a factory, which are fixed in place at the end phase of constructing, the different surface materials do not affect the work stages or schedules of a construction site. The manufacture of the wall elements takes place on an assembly line as series production, making it cost-effective and uniform quality. Material and construction costs may be optimised in the structure of the installation base. Installation that takes place at a late phase of construction protects the final wall system from wear and tear as well as fouling during construction. Installation of the wall elements is dust-free, and no tools are needed to fix them.
  • the wall elements are easy to detach from the installation rails by opening the clip parts of the fixing means, whereby the appearance of the internal surface are easy to change, or a damaged section repaired by replacing one or more wall elements.
  • parts of a heating, plumbing, ventilation and electrical installation system may be installed, whereby the devices, cables, electrical wires and pipes will be hidden behind the wall.
  • the machining required by electrical sockets and lighting fixtures may already be performed industrially at the manufacturing stage at the factory. If later on the need emerges to change the location of sewerage, switches, or sockets, the changes may be carried out in the intermediate space by removing the required wall elements, only.
  • the intermediate space may also be enlarged by additional frames.
  • a panel may comprise different surfaces, appliances, or features, such as an audio system, loudspeaker, screen, TV, piece of art, green wall, switches, sockets, and cameras related to managing the space.
  • a panel there may be a fixture to which the frame rails are fixed.
  • the fixtures to be placed on the wall may, if so required, be pre-installed at a factory to the panel.
  • kitchen fittings for example, may be fixed to the wall elements at the factory whereby the wall elements with their fittings may be quickly fixed to the installation rails at the construction site.
  • the electrical work required by other fittings and/or appliances may be designed and finished at the factory by gathering up the wiring harnesses that the lighting and other electrification needs into completed wiring harnesses that at the construction site are in- stalled in place in the intermediate space behind the wall elements, and electric power is switched on by connecting the plugs in the wiring harnesses to the sockets in the original wall.
  • the work to be done at the job site may be minimized, because electrical work need not be separately done at the site, which significantly speeds up the installation stage and saves both time and money.
  • supports may be installed by means of which fixtures of different kinds may be fixed to the wall system, such as shelves and cabinets, whereby their fixing does not result in blemishes on the wall elements.
  • the supports are installed detachably on vertical rails fixed to the frame rails, so it is easy to add and remove them as needed even afterwards, which considerably adds to the versatility of the wall system.
  • Figure 1 is a view of a system for forming a wall, seen from the rear side;
  • Figure 2a shows a wall element, seen obliquely from the front
  • Figure 2b shows a wall element, seen obliquely from the rear side
  • Figure 3 show the fixing of a top end of a wall element to an installation rail
  • Figure 4 show the fixing of top ends of wall elements to an installation rail, seen obliquely from above;
  • Figure 5 show the fixing of a lower end of a wall element to an installation rail
  • Figure 6 shows a frame rail and support fixed to an installation rail
  • Figure 7 shows a system in which fixtures have been fixed to panels
  • FIG. 8 shows a system in which the panels comprise a TV, switches, and a socket
  • Figure 9 show the fixing of top and lower ends of wall elements to an installation rail
  • Figure 10 show the fixing of top ends of wall elements to an installation rail, seen obliquely from above.
  • Figure 1 shows a finished system wall in its assembled form, seen from the rear side.
  • the system comprises installation rails 1, lb and wall elements 2.
  • Figures 2a and 2b show the wall element 2 both from the front and the back.
  • a wall element 2 may comprise at least two frame rails 3 and at least one panel 4 and/or possibly fixture 5 fixed to them.
  • the panel 4 may comprise different surface materials in a diverse manner.
  • the panel 4 may be manufactured from at least one of the following, or a combination of them: laminate, veneered furniture sheet, metal, fibre cement, plastic, wood, glass, cloth, tile, acoustic material, com- posite and ceramics.
  • moisture-resistant panels may be used, such a tiled panels 4 and stainless steel as the frame.
  • the panel 4 may comprise at least one of the following: an audio system, loudspeaker, screen, TV, piece of art, green wall, switch, socket, light fixture, and camera relat- ed to managing the space.
  • the panel 4 may be replaced by a light fixture, for example, which as to its form matches the panel, but is functionally a light fixture.
  • Figure 8 shows a system in which the panels 4 comprise a TV 20, switches 21, and a socket 22.
  • Wall elements 2 may be fixed to both the front side and back side of the installation rail 1, lb, whereby the system may form a fixed or movable parti- tion wall, for example.
  • Re-openable wall elements 2 may be manufactured at a factory and brought in their completed form to a site, where they are effortlessly fixed in place without tools.
  • the wall element 2 may additionally comprise at least one stiffening batten 19 by means of which the wall element 2 may be firmly assembled and stiffened.
  • the stiffening batten 19 may comprise protrusions that are installed in openings in the vertical frame rails 3, after which the protrusions are bent to lock the horizontal batten 19 in place.
  • the stiffening batten 19 is advantageously chute-shaped and has ready-made perforations at suitable distances, whereby it may be used as the fixing point and support of electrical wires, cables of different kind, pipes, and appliances. As many stiffening battens 19 may be installed on the wall element 2 as needed.
  • the wall element 2 further comprises at least one fixing means 6 fixed to the frame rail 3. This fixing means may be adapted on the outer edge of the frame rail 3.
  • the wall elements 2 are fully assembled at a factory, and they may be detachably fixed to the horizontal installation rails 1, lb by means of the fixing means 6.
  • the installation rails 1, lb, frame rails 3, stiffening battens 19 and fixing means 6 may be made of composite, metal, zinc electroplated steel, sheet metal, stainless or acid-proof steel, aluminium, or another suitable material or combination of materials.
  • the fixing means 6 may further comprise a clip part 9.
  • Figure 3 shows how the clip part 9 may be adapted to be detachably fixed to a mounting hole 7 in the installation rail 1.
  • At the top part of the frame rail 3 there may be a horizontal notch 10 by means of which the frame rail 3 may be arranged to support itself on a horizontal lower edge 16 of the installation rail 1.
  • the installation rail 1 is advantageously U-shaped and has a horizontal lower and upper edge 16, 17 and, between them, a centre part 18 with openings and perforations of various kinds.
  • mount- ing holes 7 at the lower edge 16 for fixing the clip parts 9 of the fixing means 6.
  • an installation rail 1, lb may additionally comprise one or more guides 11 arranged to guide the frame rail 3 at the installation stage to the correct location on the installation rail 1, lb and to prevent the horizontal movement of the frame rail 3 in the lateral direction.
  • the fixing of the lower part of the lowest wall element 2 makes use of an L-shaped installation rail lb which has holes both in the vertical and horizontal sections to fix the installation rail to a wall and to fix the lower part of the frame rail 3 to the installation rail lb.
  • the lower end of the frame rail 3 comprises a fixing part 12 which may be arranged to be detachably fixed to a hole in the installation rail 1, lb.
  • the fixing part 12 is a protrusion formed in the frame rail 3, which fits in a hole in the installation rail 1, lb and firmly fixes the lower part of the wall element 2 to the installation rail. It is also possible to use installa- tion rails 1, lb of other shapes, suitable for the purpose.
  • the perforations in the installation rails 1, lb may be used, if needed, to secure electrical cables, other wires, pipes, and/or appliances.
  • Figure 1 shows that the system may comprise U-shaped installation rails 1 at the top end and middle of the wall, and an L-shaped installation rail lb at the lower end of the wall. Depending on the height of the wall to be formed, there may be one or more U-shaped installation rails 1 in the middle.
  • the fixing part 12 of the wall element 2 above is fixed, and to the mounting hole 7 at the lower edge 16 of the same installation rail 1, the clip part 9 of the wall element 2 below is fixed.
  • FIG. 3 shows the fixing means 6 fixed to the frame rail 3 and arranged to rotate in relation to the frame rail 3.
  • the fixing means 6 comprise a turning latch whose clip part 9 is locked in place in a counter form which in this case is the mounting hole 7.
  • the wall element 2 may be fixed to the installation rail 1 without screws and tools by setting the part above the notch 10 of the frame rail 3 to rest on the installation rail 1, with the help of the guide 11, and by simultaneously guiding the fixing part 12 at the lower part of the frame rail 3 to a hole in the installation rail 1, lb at the lower part of the wall element 2. After this, the wall element is sturdily fixed to the installation rail 1 at the top end of the wall element 2 by turning and pressing the clip part 9 of the fixing means 6 into the mounting hole 7 in the installation rail 1.
  • the fixing means 6 may additionally comprise a protrusion 8 bent from the frame rail 3 outward in relation to the frame rail 3. This protrusion may be arranged to release the clip part 9 from the mounting hole 7 in the installation rail 1. Before the release, the top end of the wall element 2 may be pressed inward to release the clip part 9 from the mounting hole 7, and then a wedge key may be used to lift on the protrusion 8 whereby the wall element 2 is released from the installation rail 1, lb, and the wall element 2 may be lifted off.
  • the fixing means 6 may comprise a flexible latch made of, for example, flexible sheet metal, plastic, or another suitable material.
  • the fixing means 6 do not rotate in relation to the frame rail 3, but if may also rotate, if so desired.
  • the fixing means 6 may comprise a rotating latch or a flexible latch, that is, a spring latch. The wall element 2 is released by pressing the wall element 2 towards the installation rail 1 and by lifting on the protrusion 8 with a tool, whereby the latch yields and the clip part 9 is released from the mounting hole 7, and the wall element 2 may be detached.
  • a system as the one described in the above may additionally comprise at least one support 13 for fixing a fixture 5, as shown in Figure 6.
  • the fixture may be a cabinet, shelf, TV or another appliance, for example.
  • the frame rail 3 may comprise a vertical rail 14 fixed to the frame rail 3.
  • the support 13 may be detachably arranged for fixing to the vertical rail 14, whereby the support may rest on the frame rail 3 and vertical rail 14 by means of the brackets 23 in the support 13.
  • the vertical rail 14 may comprise toothings 24 by means of which the support 13 is held in place. Toothings may be made at desired distances, such as 50 mm, whereby the support 13 may be moved in the vertical direction.
  • the vertical rail may be manufactured of the same materials as the frame rail 3.
  • the wall element 2 may further comprise a fixture 5 and/or appliance fixed to the panel 4, such as kitchen cabinets shown in Figure 7.
  • the fixture may comprise a cabinet, shelf, kitchen cabinets, stove, washing machine, TV, camera, or another fixture or appliance.
  • suitable mounts may be used, or the fixtures 5 or appliances may be fixed to directly to the panel 4 by suitable means for fixing, such as screws.
  • an intermediate spacel5 is created in which wires, cables, and appliances of different kinds may be installed, whereby they will be hidden behind the wall element 2.
  • the intermediate space 15 at least one of the following may be installed: an electrical wire, a completed wiring harness, a heating, plumbing, and air conditioning system, a technical appliance, as well as cabling and wiring for various appliances.
  • lighting elements may be connected to the intermediate space 15 to illuminate a panel 4 made of glass, for example.
  • the intermediate space 15 may further be used to transport gases or other substances that hospitals need.
  • Opening and re-closable panels 4 allow an inconspicuous installa- tion and post-installation of electrical devices and cables, whereby the location of a water outlet or electrical sockets is easy to change afterwards.
  • the installation may be carried out to the rails 1, lb, 3 and/or battens 19 before the wall elements are installed or when a wall element 2 is open.
  • the installation may also be completed at a factory. If it is desired to enlarge the intermediate space 15, the depth of the frame rails 3 and/or installation rails 1, lb may be increased, or alternatively additional frames and/or installation rails be added.
  • the fixing means 6 are adapted in the installation rail 1.
  • a slot 27 has been formed, to which the fixing means 6 are adapted. It is possible to adapt a plurality of slots 27 in the installation rail 1 at specific distances. Thus, fixing means 6 may be adapted at the desired locations.
  • the counter form of the fixing means 6 in Figure 9 and the clip part 9 of the fixing means 6 on the left in Figure 10 is a notch 25 in the frame rail 3.
  • the counter form of the clip part 9 of the fixing means 6 on the right in Figure 10 is a hole or opening 26 in the frame rail.
  • the fixing means 6 on the right and on the left may be mutually identical, but installed upside down in relation to each other.
  • the fixing means 6 of Figures 9 and 10 comprise a flexible latch, but they could also be formed so that they comprised a turning latch.
  • the wall element may be pushed in place in the horizontal direction so that the edge of the frame rail 3 is against a bevelled surface 9a of the clip part 9, and the fixing means 6 yield so that the clip part 9 moves aside until the spring force of the fixing means returns the clip part 9 to lock into the counter form.
  • the wall element may be detached in such a manner that the clip part 9 is removed from the locked form.
  • the removal of the clip part 9 from the locked form may be implemented by turning on the protrusion 8.
  • the protrusion 8 is pressed downward, and in the right fixing means 6, the protrusion 8 is lifted.
  • Figures 9 and 10 further disclose an embodiment in which the panel 4 and frame rails 3 in a wall element 2 constitute a uniform structure.
  • the wall ele- ment is formed of a uniform sheet preform whereby the frame rails 3 are bent to be formed of the edges of the preform.
  • the guiding means for installing the wall element in connection with the installation rail in the horizontal direction, such as the notch 10 and lower edge 16, may be formed such that in connection with the installation the wall el- ement 2 can move less than 5 mm, advantageously less than 3 mm, and particularly advantageously less than 1 mm in the vertical direction.
  • gaps may be seamed or seals may be installed in them to block the access of dust or moisture into the intermediate space 15.
  • the system as the one described in the above may be used in various environments in both new building and renovation work, such as in lobbies and corridor spaces of offices and public buildings, in working spaces, meeting rooms, auditoriums, spaces that have audiovisual equipment in them, acoustically im- portant spaces, and spaces where the need exists for an aesthetic and flexible storage solution from the viewpoint of placing, in living spaces and kitchens of private spaces.

Abstract

The invention comprises a method and system for forming a wall, comprising at least two installation rails (1, 1b) and at least one wall element (2). The wall element (2) comprises at least two frame rails (3) and a panel (4) and/or fixture (5). The wall element (2) is installed in the horizontal direction in connection with the installation rail (1, 1b), and is detachably locked to it.

Description

Method and arrangement for forming a wall
Background of the invention
The invention relates to system walls and, in particular, to a system for building a wall out of wall elements and installation rails.
Conventionally, wall surfaces are finished by painting, wallpapering, tiling, or panelling. If it is desired to change the appearance of the wall surfaces, the surface material is replaced or another surface treatment is applied over the old surface. Such a procedure is usually time consuming, in particular if it concerns a larger change and it is desired to change the location of electrical sockets or the TV in the room space. The restoration activities also generate construction dust that spreads all over the surroundings, in which case the surfaces to be kept must be well protected.
To facilitate construction, system walls of various kinds have been developed, which may be installed over the old wall or by means of which new walls may be built. Publication US 20160168863 discloses a modular decorative wall that is constructed from metal frames and panels attached to them. The metal frames are fixed directly to the back wall. However, the solution according to the solution is fairly labour-intensive to build because each metal frame must first be assembled and then separately fixed to the wall. Publication US 20130305638 de- scribes a modular wall system in which a metal frame is assembled out of parts and panels are fixed to the frame. The system has a lot of different parts and assembling the system is complicated and time consuming. The solutions of both publications require a lot of assembly work on site, which slows down construction work. Brief description of the invention
It is thus an object of the invention to provide a method and a system implementing the method so as to enable the above-mentioned problems to be solved. The object of the invention is achieved by a method and system which are characterized by what is disclosed in the independent claims. Some of the pre- ferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.
The invention is based on forming a wall by means of a system which comprises at least two installation rails and at least one wall element. The wall element comprises at least two frame rails and a panel and/or fixture. The system additionally comprises guiding means for installing the wall element in the hori- zontal direction in connection with the installation rail, and locking means for de- tachably locking the wall element, installed in the horizontal direction, in connection with the installation rail. Since the installation of a wall element in connection with an installation rail takes place in the horizontal direction, only, there is no need for a gap over or below the wall element for the purpose of installation. Likewise, the wall elements may be installed and removed in a freely chosen order.
The locking means may be separate from guiding means. This way, both the locking means and guiding means may be formed simple and thus solid and reliable.
According to an embodiment, the locking means comprise a turning or flexible latch provided with a clip part, the latch being adapted in a first of the installation rail and frame rail whereby a second of the installation rail and frame rail has a counter form for the clip part whereby the wall element may be detach- ably fixed to the installation rail.
The wall according to the invention may be built on top of a finished wall surface whereby installation rails are fixed to the wall and wall elements, prefabricated at a factory, are fixed to the installation rails, in which case the assembly of the wall element itself does not take up time. The wall may also be a partition wall or a movable, screen type of wall, which is constructed by means of installation rails and wall elements, only. The advantage of the inventive method and system is that the wall element is fixed to the installation rails in a detachable manner, whereby the wall covering may be repeatably opened and reinstalled in place. The installation rails and frame rails of the wall element may be manufactured industrially with a uniform quality by laser-cutting, whereby a wall element may be fixed to installation rails quickly and dimensionally accurately. This allows a simple and high-quality installation of the surface materials, in addition, a sheet metal work centre is able to manufacture products with a larger production volume. Furthermore, the wall element is aesthetically stylish, because the free space left between the walls is as small as possible, such as 1 to 3 mm, only. The dimensioning of the panels and frame are easy to change according to the installation site.
As surface materials of a wall, numerous materials may be used, such as tiles, panels, or glass, whereby the appearance of the wall surfaces may be varied in many ways. Due to the wall surface consisting of a finished wall elements manufactured at a factory, which are fixed in place at the end phase of constructing, the different surface materials do not affect the work stages or schedules of a construction site. The manufacture of the wall elements takes place on an assembly line as series production, making it cost-effective and uniform quality. Material and construction costs may be optimised in the structure of the installation base. Installation that takes place at a late phase of construction protects the final wall system from wear and tear as well as fouling during construction. Installation of the wall elements is dust-free, and no tools are needed to fix them.
The wall elements are easy to detach from the installation rails by opening the clip parts of the fixing means, whereby the appearance of the internal surface are easy to change, or a damaged section repaired by replacing one or more wall elements. In the intermediate space between the installation rail and the wall surface, parts of a heating, plumbing, ventilation and electrical installation system may be installed, whereby the devices, cables, electrical wires and pipes will be hidden behind the wall. The machining required by electrical sockets and lighting fixtures may already be performed industrially at the manufacturing stage at the factory. If later on the need emerges to change the location of sewerage, switches, or sockets, the changes may be carried out in the intermediate space by removing the required wall elements, only. The intermediate space may also be enlarged by additional frames.
A panel may comprise different surfaces, appliances, or features, such as an audio system, loudspeaker, screen, TV, piece of art, green wall, switches, sockets, and cameras related to managing the space. Instead of a panel there may be a fixture to which the frame rails are fixed. Alternatively, the fixtures to be placed on the wall may, if so required, be pre-installed at a factory to the panel. In such a case, kitchen fittings, for example, may be fixed to the wall elements at the factory whereby the wall elements with their fittings may be quickly fixed to the installation rails at the construction site. Furthermore, the electrical work required by other fittings and/or appliances may be designed and finished at the factory by gathering up the wiring harnesses that the lighting and other electrification needs into completed wiring harnesses that at the construction site are in- stalled in place in the intermediate space behind the wall elements, and electric power is switched on by connecting the plugs in the wiring harnesses to the sockets in the original wall. The work to be done at the job site may be minimized, because electrical work need not be separately done at the site, which significantly speeds up the installation stage and saves both time and money.
In addition, between the wall elements, supports may be installed by means of which fixtures of different kinds may be fixed to the wall system, such as shelves and cabinets, whereby their fixing does not result in blemishes on the wall elements. The supports are installed detachably on vertical rails fixed to the frame rails, so it is easy to add and remove them as needed even afterwards, which considerably adds to the versatility of the wall system. Brief description of the figures
The invention will now be described in more detail in connection with preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a view of a system for forming a wall, seen from the rear side;
Figure 2a shows a wall element, seen obliquely from the front; Figure 2b shows a wall element, seen obliquely from the rear side; Figure 3 show the fixing of a top end of a wall element to an installation rail;
Figure 4 show the fixing of top ends of wall elements to an installation rail, seen obliquely from above;
Figure 5 show the fixing of a lower end of a wall element to an installation rail;
Figure 6 shows a frame rail and support fixed to an installation rail; Figure 7 shows a system in which fixtures have been fixed to panels;
Figure 8 shows a system in which the panels comprise a TV, switches, and a socket;
Figure 9 show the fixing of top and lower ends of wall elements to an installation rail, and
Figure 10 show the fixing of top ends of wall elements to an installation rail, seen obliquely from above.
Detailed description of the invention
Figure 1 shows a finished system wall in its assembled form, seen from the rear side. The system comprises installation rails 1, lb and wall elements 2. Figures 2a and 2b show the wall element 2 both from the front and the back. A wall element 2 may comprise at least two frame rails 3 and at least one panel 4 and/or possibly fixture 5 fixed to them. The panel 4 may comprise different surface materials in a diverse manner. The panel 4 may be manufactured from at least one of the following, or a combination of them: laminate, veneered furniture sheet, metal, fibre cement, plastic, wood, glass, cloth, tile, acoustic material, com- posite and ceramics. For bathrooms, moisture-resistant panels may be used, such a tiled panels 4 and stainless steel as the frame. In addition to the above, the panel 4 may comprise at least one of the following: an audio system, loudspeaker, screen, TV, piece of art, green wall, switch, socket, light fixture, and camera relat- ed to managing the space. The panel 4 may be replaced by a light fixture, for example, which as to its form matches the panel, but is functionally a light fixture. Figure 8 shows a system in which the panels 4 comprise a TV 20, switches 21, and a socket 22. Wall elements 2 may be fixed to both the front side and back side of the installation rail 1, lb, whereby the system may form a fixed or movable parti- tion wall, for example. Such a solution requires two-sided installation rails 1, lb for fixing the wall elements 2 on both sides, and vertical rails 3 as high as the wall. Re-openable wall elements 2 may be manufactured at a factory and brought in their completed form to a site, where they are effortlessly fixed in place without tools.
The wall element 2 may additionally comprise at least one stiffening batten 19 by means of which the wall element 2 may be firmly assembled and stiffened. The stiffening batten 19 may comprise protrusions that are installed in openings in the vertical frame rails 3, after which the protrusions are bent to lock the horizontal batten 19 in place. The stiffening batten 19 is advantageously chute-shaped and has ready-made perforations at suitable distances, whereby it may be used as the fixing point and support of electrical wires, cables of different kind, pipes, and appliances. As many stiffening battens 19 may be installed on the wall element 2 as needed. The wall element 2 further comprises at least one fixing means 6 fixed to the frame rail 3. This fixing means may be adapted on the outer edge of the frame rail 3.
The wall elements 2 are fully assembled at a factory, and they may be detachably fixed to the horizontal installation rails 1, lb by means of the fixing means 6. The installation rails 1, lb, frame rails 3, stiffening battens 19 and fixing means 6 may be made of composite, metal, zinc electroplated steel, sheet metal, stainless or acid-proof steel, aluminium, or another suitable material or combination of materials.
There may be one or more fixing means 6 per a vertical frame rail 3, and they may be located at the top and/or bottom part of the frame rail 3. The fixing means 6 may further comprise a clip part 9. Figure 3 shows how the clip part 9 may be adapted to be detachably fixed to a mounting hole 7 in the installation rail 1. At the top part of the frame rail 3 there may be a horizontal notch 10 by means of which the frame rail 3 may be arranged to support itself on a horizontal lower edge 16 of the installation rail 1. The installation rail 1 is advantageously U-shaped and has a horizontal lower and upper edge 16, 17 and, between them, a centre part 18 with openings and perforations of various kinds. There are mount- ing holes 7 at the lower edge 16 for fixing the clip parts 9 of the fixing means 6. By means of the perforations in the installation rail 1, the installation rail 1 may be fixed to a wall, floor, or another structure, and if needed, more holes may be made in it. As shown in Figure 4, an installation rail 1, lb may additionally comprise one or more guides 11 arranged to guide the frame rail 3 at the installation stage to the correct location on the installation rail 1, lb and to prevent the horizontal movement of the frame rail 3 in the lateral direction.
In Figure 5, the fixing of the lower part of the lowest wall element 2 makes use of an L-shaped installation rail lb which has holes both in the vertical and horizontal sections to fix the installation rail to a wall and to fix the lower part of the frame rail 3 to the installation rail lb. The lower end of the frame rail 3 comprises a fixing part 12 which may be arranged to be detachably fixed to a hole in the installation rail 1, lb. The fixing part 12 is a protrusion formed in the frame rail 3, which fits in a hole in the installation rail 1, lb and firmly fixes the lower part of the wall element 2 to the installation rail. It is also possible to use installa- tion rails 1, lb of other shapes, suitable for the purpose. The perforations in the installation rails 1, lb may be used, if needed, to secure electrical cables, other wires, pipes, and/or appliances.
Figure 1 shows that the system may comprise U-shaped installation rails 1 at the top end and middle of the wall, and an L-shaped installation rail lb at the lower end of the wall. Depending on the height of the wall to be formed, there may be one or more U-shaped installation rails 1 in the middle. In the hole at the top edge 17 of the installation rail 1 in the middle, the fixing part 12 of the wall element 2 above is fixed, and to the mounting hole 7 at the lower edge 16 of the same installation rail 1, the clip part 9 of the wall element 2 below is fixed.
Figure 3 shows the fixing means 6 fixed to the frame rail 3 and arranged to rotate in relation to the frame rail 3. Thus, the fixing means 6 comprise a turning latch whose clip part 9 is locked in place in a counter form which in this case is the mounting hole 7. The wall element 2 may be fixed to the installation rail 1 without screws and tools by setting the part above the notch 10 of the frame rail 3 to rest on the installation rail 1, with the help of the guide 11, and by simultaneously guiding the fixing part 12 at the lower part of the frame rail 3 to a hole in the installation rail 1, lb at the lower part of the wall element 2. After this, the wall element is sturdily fixed to the installation rail 1 at the top end of the wall element 2 by turning and pressing the clip part 9 of the fixing means 6 into the mounting hole 7 in the installation rail 1. The fixing means 6 may additionally comprise a protrusion 8 bent from the frame rail 3 outward in relation to the frame rail 3. This protrusion may be arranged to release the clip part 9 from the mounting hole 7 in the installation rail 1. Before the release, the top end of the wall element 2 may be pressed inward to release the clip part 9 from the mounting hole 7, and then a wedge key may be used to lift on the protrusion 8 whereby the wall element 2 is released from the installation rail 1, lb, and the wall element 2 may be lifted off.
In an embodiment, the fixing means 6 may comprise a flexible latch made of, for example, flexible sheet metal, plastic, or another suitable material. When the wall element 2 is being locked into the installation rail 1, the flexible latch yields and the clip part 9 is locked into the mounting hole 7. In this solution, the fixing means 6 do not rotate in relation to the frame rail 3, but if may also rotate, if so desired. Thus, the fixing means 6 may comprise a rotating latch or a flexible latch, that is, a spring latch. The wall element 2 is released by pressing the wall element 2 towards the installation rail 1 and by lifting on the protrusion 8 with a tool, whereby the latch yields and the clip part 9 is released from the mounting hole 7, and the wall element 2 may be detached.
A system as the one described in the above may additionally comprise at least one support 13 for fixing a fixture 5, as shown in Figure 6. The fixture may be a cabinet, shelf, TV or another appliance, for example. In the system, the frame rail 3 may comprise a vertical rail 14 fixed to the frame rail 3. The support 13 may be detachably arranged for fixing to the vertical rail 14, whereby the support may rest on the frame rail 3 and vertical rail 14 by means of the brackets 23 in the support 13. The vertical rail 14 may comprise toothings 24 by means of which the support 13 is held in place. Toothings may be made at desired distances, such as 50 mm, whereby the support 13 may be moved in the vertical direction. The vertical rail may be manufactured of the same materials as the frame rail 3. By the use of supports 13, there is no need to make separate holes in the wall for fixing shelves or appliances, and furthermore it is simple to add supports 13, and their location may be changed, if need be.
The wall element 2 may further comprise a fixture 5 and/or appliance fixed to the panel 4, such as kitchen cabinets shown in Figure 7. The fixture may comprise a cabinet, shelf, kitchen cabinets, stove, washing machine, TV, camera, or another fixture or appliance. For fixing, suitable mounts may be used, or the fixtures 5 or appliances may be fixed to directly to the panel 4 by suitable means for fixing, such as screws.
As shown in Figure 3, between the wall elements 2 and the installation rail 1, la an intermediate spacel5 is created in which wires, cables, and appliances of different kinds may be installed, whereby they will be hidden behind the wall element 2. In the intermediate space 15, at least one of the following may be installed: an electrical wire, a completed wiring harness, a heating, plumbing, and air conditioning system, a technical appliance, as well as cabling and wiring for various appliances. In addition, lighting elements may be connected to the intermediate space 15 to illuminate a panel 4 made of glass, for example. The intermediate space 15 may further be used to transport gases or other substances that hospitals need. Opening and re-closable panels 4 allow an inconspicuous installa- tion and post-installation of electrical devices and cables, whereby the location of a water outlet or electrical sockets is easy to change afterwards. The installation may be carried out to the rails 1, lb, 3 and/or battens 19 before the wall elements are installed or when a wall element 2 is open. The installation may also be completed at a factory. If it is desired to enlarge the intermediate space 15, the depth of the frame rails 3 and/or installation rails 1, lb may be increased, or alternatively additional frames and/or installation rails be added.
In the embodiment of Figures 9 and 10, the fixing means 6 are adapted in the installation rail 1. In the installation rail 1, a slot 27 has been formed, to which the fixing means 6 are adapted. It is possible to adapt a plurality of slots 27 in the installation rail 1 at specific distances. Thus, fixing means 6 may be adapted at the desired locations.
The counter form of the fixing means 6 in Figure 9 and the clip part 9 of the fixing means 6 on the left in Figure 10 is a notch 25 in the frame rail 3. The counter form of the clip part 9 of the fixing means 6 on the right in Figure 10 is a hole or opening 26 in the frame rail. The fixing means 6 on the right and on the left may be mutually identical, but installed upside down in relation to each other.
The fixing means 6 of Figures 9 and 10 comprise a flexible latch, but they could also be formed so that they comprised a turning latch. In case the fixing means 6 comprise a flexible latch, the wall element may be pushed in place in the horizontal direction so that the edge of the frame rail 3 is against a bevelled surface 9a of the clip part 9, and the fixing means 6 yield so that the clip part 9 moves aside until the spring force of the fixing means returns the clip part 9 to lock into the counter form.
The wall element may be detached in such a manner that the clip part 9 is removed from the locked form. The removal of the clip part 9 from the locked form, that is, its release, may be implemented by turning on the protrusion 8. In the left fixing means 6 in Figure 10, the protrusion 8 is pressed downward, and in the right fixing means 6, the protrusion 8 is lifted.
Figures 9 and 10 further disclose an embodiment in which the panel 4 and frame rails 3 in a wall element 2 constitute a uniform structure. The wall ele- ment is formed of a uniform sheet preform whereby the frame rails 3 are bent to be formed of the edges of the preform.
The guiding means for installing the wall element in connection with the installation rail in the horizontal direction, such as the notch 10 and lower edge 16, may be formed such that in connection with the installation the wall el- ement 2 can move less than 5 mm, advantageously less than 3 mm, and particularly advantageously less than 1 mm in the vertical direction.
As small as possible gaps remain between the wall elements 2, such as 1 to 3 mm, whereby the wall will look aesthetically better. If need be, the gaps may be seamed or seals may be installed in them to block the access of dust or moisture into the intermediate space 15.
The system as the one described in the above may be used in various environments in both new building and renovation work, such as in lobbies and corridor spaces of offices and public buildings, in working spaces, meeting rooms, auditoriums, spaces that have audiovisual equipment in them, acoustically im- portant spaces, and spaces where the need exists for an aesthetic and flexible storage solution from the viewpoint of placing, in living spaces and kitchens of private spaces.
A person skilled in the art will find it obvious that, as technology advances, the basic idea of the invention may be implemented in many different ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not restricted to the above- described examples but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

Claims
1. A system for forming a wall, comprising at least two installation rails (1, lb) and at least one wall element (2) which wall element (2) comprises:
at least two frame rails (3) and a panel (4) and/or fixture (5); guiding means for installing the wall element (2) in the horizontal direction in connection with the installation rail (1, lb), and
locking means for detachably locking the wall element (2), installed in the horizontal direction, in connection with the installation rail (1, lb).
2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking means are sepa- rate from the guiding means.
3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking means comprise a turning or flexible latch provided with a clip part (9), the latch being adapted in a first of the installation rail (1, lb) and frame rail (3) whereby a second of the installation rail (1, lb) and frame rail (3) has a counter form for the clip part (9) whereby the wall element (2) may be detachably fixed to the installation rail (1, lb).
4. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the latch comprises a protrusion (8) which is arranged to release the clip part (9) from the counter form.
5. A system as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the latch is flexible.
6. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall element (2) additionally comprises at least one stiffening batten (19).
7. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower end of the frame rail (3) comprises a fixing part (12) which is arranged to be detachably fixed to a hole in the installation rail (1, lb).
8. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which additionally comprises at least one support (13) for fixing a fixture (5), in which system the frame rail (3) comprises a vertical rail (14) fixed to the frame rail (3), and in which system at least one support (13) is arranged to be detachably fixed to the vertical rail (14).
9. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one of the following: an electrical wire, a completed wiring harness, a heating, plumbing, and air conditioning system, a technical appliance, as well as cabling and wiring for various appliances is arranged in an intermediate space (15) formed by the wall element (2) and the installation rail (1, la).
10. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the panel (4) comprises at least one of the following: an audio system, loudspeak- er, screen, TV (20), piece of art, green wall, a light fixture, switch (21), socket (22), and camera related to managing the space.
11. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wall element (2) comprises a fixture (5) and/or appliance fixed to the panel (4).
12. A method for forming a wall with the aid of a system which system comprises at least two installation rails (1, lb) and at least one wall element (2), which wall element (2) comprises:
at least two frame rails (3) and a panel (4) and/or fixture (5), and in which method
the wall element (2) is installed in the horizontal direction in connection with the installation rail (1, lb), and
the wall element (2) is detachably locked in connection with the installation rail (1, lb).
13. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the locking takes place by the use of a flexible latch provided with a clip part (9), whereby when the wall element (2) is being installed the latch yields and presses the clip part (9) at the locking location into the counter form.
EP18768435.2A 2017-03-16 2018-03-16 Method and arrangement for forming a wall Pending EP3596281A4 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FI20175235 2017-03-16
PCT/FI2018/050194 WO2018167372A1 (en) 2017-03-16 2018-03-16 Method and arrangement for forming a wall

Publications (2)

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EP3596281A1 true EP3596281A1 (en) 2020-01-22
EP3596281A4 EP3596281A4 (en) 2020-12-02

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Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5747302Y2 (en) * 1978-12-29 1982-10-18
WO1986003539A1 (en) * 1984-12-12 1986-06-19 MTD-PRODUKTER I SMA^oLAND AB Method of preparing a hospital room or the like
AU589995B2 (en) * 1985-09-13 1989-10-26 Permasteelisa Pacific Holdings Ltd Partitioning
US5062246A (en) * 1988-11-16 1991-11-05 Sykes Christopher C Partition structures and frame elements therefor
SG2014014401A (en) * 2014-02-13 2015-09-29 Bda Engineering Pte Ltd A furniture system
CA2950839C (en) * 2016-01-30 2023-09-12 Cooper Technologies Company Equipment rack and components thereof

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