FR2488309A1 - PERFECTIONED PLINTHS FOR CONCEALED CLOSURE AND WIRING SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION RELATES TO A PARTITION AND WIRING SYSTEM CONCEALED BY PLINTHS. THE PLINTHS MAY EXTEND THE BASE OF A MOBILE BULKHEAD 14, IN ORDER TO OBSTRUCT BELOW THE LOWER AREA 15 OF THE SAID BULKHEAD 14 A SPACE 27 IN WHICH ARE THE ELECTRIC 30 AND TELEPHONE 32 CABLES. EACH PLINTH HAS A TRUNCON. MAIN 36 THE ENDS OF WHICH ARE OF AN ELASTIC MATERIAL. THE EXTREME ELASTIC REGIONS OF ADJACENT PLINTHS ARE JUXTAPOSED AND ALLOW THE CABLES 30, 32 TO EXIT FROM SPACE 27 BETWEEN ADJACENT ENDS, ONLY THE AREAS OF THE REGIONS IMMEDIATELY PROXIMITY OF THE SAID CABLES 30, 32 BEING DEFORMED. APPLICATION TO MODULAR DESIGN SPACE PLANNING ASSEMBLIES.

Description

The present invention relates to U.S. Patent No. 4,043,626, filed by the
Applicant and describing camouflaged power distribution systems behind the walls of a space arrangement assembly in which a plurality of modular desks or workstations are installed. These power distribution systems camouflaged behind the walls house the telephone electrical power cables behind the wall partitions of the space organization unit. As a result, each office or workstation is forcibly supplied with power. electrical and communication energy. The camouflaged power distribution systems behind the partitions are advantageous because they retain the spatial arrangement of its removable character. In addition, the electrical and telephone cables behind the wall partitions are invisible.

 Corme described in the aforementioned patent, the wall partitions are supported by branches which delimit a useful space behind said partitions in which the cables are rented. Roofing elements are used to close this usable space and they have the appearance of a continuous wall partition extending upward from the ground.

 Since modular design offices are assembled at their place of use and the final adjustments, such as the height of the wall partitions, are usually done at this time, it is possible to provide the system with a certain amount of space. number of components whose final configuration is obtained at the time of assembly. Such components increase the flexibility of the modular design system in its assembly. One of the components to achieve this goal is the side cover element or plinth.

 It is also desirable to equip the camouflaged power distribution system behind the appropriate passageway bulkheads through which cables from the pay gap pass. From the point of view of safety and aesthetics, it is advantageous to maintain continuity between adjacent skirting boards while keeping the cables in a relatively fixed position where they extend out of the usable space .

 The present invention therefore mainly relates to an improved skirting board that can be used with a camouflaged power distribution system behind the partitions.

 The invention also aims to provide an improved plinth of this type having at least one end region of a deformable material.

 Finally, another object of the present invention is to provide an improved plinth designed to be movable.

 According to the essential features of the invention, the plinth consists of a body or main section whose end regions are made of an elastic material such as polyurethane foam.

Generally, this main section is made of a suitable plastic whose appearance and color can be married to those of the walls or wall partitions of the space arrangement assembly. Suitably, the end regions are connected, for example by means of an adhesive, to the inner face of the main section and protrude beyond the ends of said section. These extreme regions have a sectional configuration which generally conforms to the shape of the section of the main section of the plinth, to give the latter a unitary appearance.

 The skirting boards according to the invention are used in a space arrangement assembly comprising abutting wall partitions and supported by associated and integral branches, which can be adjusted to vary the height of each partition. On the 7th floor are arranged base plates supporting the branches of these partitions. The baseboards are assembled with these base plates and are held in vertical positions to close the usable space located below the lower edges of the wall partitions and formed by the integral branches of the latter.

 The skirting boards are arranged end-to-end on the base plates, so that the end regions of adjacent skirting boards are abutted. The junction zone between these extreme-adjoining regions makes it possible to obtain an interval or a passage opening through which electrical and telephone cables pass. These are arranged inside useful space located under the wall partitions, allowing to establish an electrical communication along the perimeter of each modular office.

 The deformable extreme regions of baseboards are deformed only near the point where the cables exit between adjacent baseboards, so as to give said baseboards the appearance of a single continuous skirting along the whole of the partition. In addition, since the cables are pressed between adjacent extreme regions, they are firmly held in their respective positions. Since said end regions are of resilient material, some surfaces may be cut to give rise to an opening of larger size that can accommodate larger objects, such as a power outlet.

Since, usually, the exact height of the partition is determined only when the office is assembled at its place of use, the final cutting of the extreme regions can take place at this time, so as to give greater freedom for the installer in his choice of the final position of wall outlets. Therefore, the side-cover element or plinth according to the present invention allows the user to mount a space-arranging assembly with greater flexibility.

The invention will be described in more detail with regard to the fates appended as non-limiting examples and on which
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an office or workstation of modular design, installed in a room and having a wiring system camouflaged behind the wall and equipped with skirting boards according to the invention disposed end-to-end along the base of the wall partitions
FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view illustrating a pair of skirting boards according to the invention arranged end-to-end.
Figure 3 is a cross section of the baseboards of Figure 2; and
Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the baseboard according to the invention.

 Referring to the drawings, the side-cover elements or skirting boards according to the invention, generally having the reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1, are part of a space arrangement assembly comprising offices or workstations 12 of FIG. modular design, assembled in a room of greater size.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a desk 12 or workstation comprises several panels or wall partitions 14 (individually designated by the numerals 14e to 14f), which have lower edges 15 (FIG. 3). The partitions 14 are arranged end to end so as to obtain the desired configuration of the workstation, and they may comprise curvilinear partitions, such as that designated by S4a. These partitions 14 can be mounted in a straight line, or occupy respective angular positions, such as partitions 14c and 14d.

 As shown in FIG. 3, each partition 14 is supported by integral rods 15 (only one of which is shown), each having a thread 18 screwed at one end to a bracket 19 and screwed at its other end to a pad 20 In an appropriate manner, the console 19 is fixed to the partition 14 in the alignment of an opening 23. A rotation of the thread 18 makes it possible to modify the distance separating the pad 20 and the partition 14, thus adjusting the height of this partition 14 relative to the ground. Base plates 22 are placed on the floor 24 and support the pads 20 of the rods 16. Each base plate 22 has a flat support region 25 and transversely offset tabs 26 on which the baseboards 10 are mounted. positioning of each partition 14, so that its lower edge 15 is located at a distance above the ground 24, a useful space 27 is obtained below this partition 14, between its lower edge 15 and the associated base plate 22. Electrical 30 and telephone 32 cables are housed in the usable space 27, and they run along the perimeter of the modular office 12, thus feeding each desk or workstation 12 of modular design into electrical force and communication energy.

 Each baseboard 10 according to the invention consists of a body or main section 36 having an inner face 38 and an outer face 40. An upper region 42 extends generally transversely from the main section 36 so that, when said baseboard occupies a vertical position, this section 36 is generally vertical, while said upper region 42 comes into contact with the partition 14 by closing the space 27. complementary members, located on the lower edge of the main section 36 and on the leg 26 of the base plates 22, cooperate to maintain the skirting board 10 in its effective vertical position.These complementary members consist of a pair of bent branches 42 and 44 made of a flexible material and overlapping the tab 26. The configuration of these branches 43 and 44 usually corresponds to that of each bent tab 26 tab 43 extending upward, transversely and outwardly to from the flat support region 22. then go down to take the form of an inverted V. The tabs 43 and 44 enclose the tab 26 to maintain, removably, each baseboard 10 in its vertical position.

 Each baseboard 10 has end regions 50 made of an elastic or deformable material, such as polyurethane foam, and attached to the main section 36 suitably, for example by means of an adhesive. These end regions 50 have a section whose configuration is identical to that of the main section 36 of the plinth 10. The skirting boards 10 are arranged end to end along the base of the partitions 14 in order to close the usable space. Extreme regions 50 of adjacent baseboards 10 are juxtaposed and, in the example shown, they are butted. The gap or discontinuity between adjacent contiguous regions 50 allows the passage between these regions of electrical and telephone cables which extend from the usable space to supply the appropriate equipment of each modular office. as can be seen in FIG. 2, only a telephone cable 32 splits from the usable space 27 and compresses or deforms only the zones of the end regions 50 which are in close proximity to said cable 32, such that a generally continuous appearance is maintained between adjacent skirting boards.

 In other words, the deformable extreme reeds 50 are pressed against the telephone cable 32 to secure it in a fixed position where it is between adjacent skirting boards 10. However, these adjacent skirting boards 10 give the impression to form only one block.

 It is also possible to cut the elastic end regions 50 using a suitable cutting tool, to provide an enlarged opening opening communicating with the usable space 27. In this way, it is possible to mount in this opening an electrical socket 52 (whose connection to an electric cabal is not shown), so that its lateral face is aligned with the outer face 40 of the plinth 10, as is illustrated in FIGS. 3.

This socket 52 is mounted on the partition 14 by means of an offset bracket 54 and a screw 56. Since this socket 52 is generally secured to said partition 14, its height depends on the final adjustment of the height of said partition. 14 to which it is attached. Therefore, the openlare passage of the plug 52 is cut only when the final height of the partition 14 is determined. As a result, the user has the possibility of making the final adjustments concerning the height of the partitions 14 as well as the location and the positioning of the socket 52.

 FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a plinth 10A according to the invention having a general configuration of inverted C, whose upper and lower cores 70 and 70 are beveled at the ends of a main body or section 36A, in the direction of the front face 40A of the latter. Similarly, C-shaped plastic end regions 50A are suitably attached to the inner face 38A of the skirting 10A. The skirting 10 cu 10A can take different forms, for example that of the curvilinear baseboard lOB of Figure 1. In addition, it can also be provided end skirting 73 and angle 74, each having elastic end regions.

 As seen in Figure 1, the modular design desk 12 includes storage compartments 80, filing shelves 82 and worktops 84 with specific equipment such as a work lamp 86 used for work in which the worker needs a very intensive light to do his job without getting tired of seeing. A calculator 90 is connected, by its connecting cord 93, to a receptacle 52 located between two adjacent baseboards 10. Similarly, the telephone cable 32 of a telephone 92 is connected to the energy distribution system concealed under the partitions 14 extending between two skirting boards 10 contiguous as shown in Figure 2.

 A room lighting support 96 is arranged in the room where the modular offices 12 are located, and it is also equipped with skirting boards 10 which close off the existing usable space below panels 98. Lighting Bracket 96 and its functional features are compatible with the rest of the modular assembly.

 It is apparent from the above description that an improved skirting board according to the invention can be used with a wiring or power distribution system camouflaged behind a wall wall. Thanks to the presence of the elastic end regions 50, telephone and electrical cables can start from the useful spaces located below the partitions 14 by subjecting the said extreme regions to as little deformation as possible, thus contributing to giving an aspect of visual continuity to In addition, these end regions 50 can be cut at the time of their assembly, in order to allow appropriate accommodation of the electrical socket 52, arranged so that its front face is generally aligned with said skirting boards 10.

 It goes without saying that many modifications can be made to the partitioning system and skirting described and shown, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (8)

CLAIMS S  Plinth which can be arranged along the base of a partition and characterized in that the baseboard (10) has a body or section (36) having opposite end regions (50) so that several skirting boards (100 may be splined along said base or lower edge (15) of said partition (14) and that said end regions (50) of adjacent baseboards (10) are juxtaposed, in that at least one of said juxtaposed end regions (50) is made of an elastic material allowing the passage of an object, and in that said elastic material can be biased so that only its regions located in the immediate vicinity of said object deform elastically, in order to maintain substantially a continuity between said extreme regions juxtaposed (50).  2. Plinth according to claim 1, characterized in that its elastic end region (50) has a configuration identical to that of its body or section (36).  Plinth according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the end regions (50) of each plinth (10) is of an elastic material, each of said end regions (50) having a configuration identical to that of the main body or section ( 36).  4. Plinth according to claim 3, characterized in that its main section (36) has a generally planar portion having inner (38) and outer (40) faces, said plinth (10 'being arranged such that said flat portion is vertical, its inner face (38) facing towards the partition (14), an upper region (42) being in contact with said partition (14 ?, and in that the end regions (50) are attached to said section (36), at the inner face (38) of the latter, projecting beyond said section (36).  5. Plinth according to claim 4, characterized in that the elastic end regions (50) are a deformable polyurethane foam when applied to a pressure.  6. Partitioning system comprising a removable partition (14) having ends (50) and a lower edge (15), suitable means supporting a plurality of partitions (14) end to end on a support face (25) above which said lower edge (15) of each partition (14) is arranged to define a usable space (27) below the lower edges (15) of said partitions (14), said support means consisting of a plurality of base plates (22) butt joints on said support face (25), skirting boards (10) abutting along said lower edge (15) of said partitions (14) for sealing said usable space (27), each of said skirting boards (10) comprising a main section (36) having an inner face (38) facing said partition (14) and an outer face (40) facing in the opposite direction, and end regions (50) of an elastic material attached to said inner face (38) of said section (36) of each plinth (10), so as to project beyond the ends of said section (36), said baseboards (10) being placed so that the end regions (50) of adjacent skirting boards (10) are juxtaposed the end region (50) of a skirting board (10) abuts the end region (50) of the adjoining plinth (10) to substantially provide continuity between adjacent skirting boards (10), such end regions (50); ) having a configuration section identical to that of said section (36) to which they are attached, in order to have the appearance of extension of said section (36), said end regions (50) being made of an elastic material allowing the passage of an object between two of these extreme regions (50) to and from said usable space (27) while substantially maintaining continuity between said abutting end regions (50) since the latter are deformed only in the vicinity of said object , complementary members of said base plates (22) and said baseboards (105 for mounting said baseboards! 10) on said plates (22) so as to close said usable space (27).  7. System according to claim 6, characterized in that the complementary members consist of tabs (26) extending transversely and outwardly from the base plates (22) and spaced branches (43, 44). which, integral with the baseboards (10), overlap said tabs (26) to maintain said baseboards (10) in generally vertical positions.  8. System according to claim 6, characterized in that a plug (52) is mounted on one of the partitions (14), an opening being made in at least one of the end regions (50), and in that said socket (52) is disposed in said opening so as to be essentially aligned with the outer face (40) of said baseboards (10).