GB1600294A

GB1600294A - Panelling

Info

Publication number: GB1600294A
Application number: GB726877A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Versatile Fittings WHS Ltd
Current assignee: Versatile Fittings WHS Ltd
Priority date: 1977-02-21
Filing date: 1977-02-21
Publication date: 1981-10-14
Also published as: FR2381195A1; FR2381195B1

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN PANELLING (71) We, VERSATILE FITTINGS LI MITED, a British Company, of Bicester Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to panelling.

The invention provides panelling comprising at least one elongate support member having a succession of slots along its length in combination with two panels for attachment thereto, there being corresponding surfaces on each panel and the support member to locate the panels on the member, one panel extending from each side of the member, and a plurality of clip means each engageable with a pair of the slots and with each panel to hold the panels to the support member, each clip means having two projections in the form of hooks each engageable with one of a pair of the slots, each panel and the support member including corresponding first surface portions generally parallel to the plane of the panel and corresponding second surfaces generally perpendicular to the plane of the panel whereby the panel is located with respect to the support member.

Preferably the panelling includes a decorative strip which covers the support member and the edges of the panels engaged therewith, the decorative strip also being held to the support member by the clip means.

The support member may have a further surface perpendicular to the second surface and generally co-planer with the front surface of the panels and the slots may be disposed in two rows in this further surface.

Each clip means preferably comprises a portion generally perpendicular to the two projections and engageable with the further surface of the support member and the front surfaces of the panels.

A preferred embodiment of panelling according to the invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a section of panelling, according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a section through a support member and part of its adjacent panels, Figure 3 is a front elevation of part of a support member, Figure 4 shows in plan, side and front view a floor connection for a support member, Figure 5 shown in plan, front and side elevation a first form of clip, Figure 6 shows views similar to Figure 5 of a second form of clip, Figure 7 shows in front elevation and end view a trim strip, and Figure 8 shows in section a strip for linking two panels.

The panelling shown in the drawings comprise a plurality of spaced apart upright support members 10 to which panels 11, 12 are attached by clips 13. 14. Between each pair of uprights 10 there is an upper panel 11 of standard size and a lower panel 12 which is cut to fit. The panels 11, 12 are joined by a linking strip 15. The uprights are attached to the floor by floor connection 17.

Referring first to Figures 2 and 3, each upright 10 comprises a member of generally channel section having opposed side walls 18, 19 and a web comprising two wall portions 21, 22 joined by a protruding rib 23. The rib 23 is also of channel section, its two side walls 25, 26 being parallel to side walls 18, 19 and its web 28 forming a front wall of the upright generally perpendicular to all the side walls. Two rows of slots 29 are formed in the front wall 28 of each upright, the slots being arranged in pairs equally spaced along the upright.

Each upright is attached at its lower end to the floor or a batten or like sole plate by a floor connection bracket 17 (Figure 4). The bracket 17 has a base portion 31 which is secured to the floor or sole plate and has upstanding portions 33, 34, 35 which engage inside walls 21, 22 and outside wall 28 respectively. A generally rectangular channel-sectioned member 37 has its base rigidly attached to the base portion 31 and its arms 38, 39 engage inside walls 18, 19 respectively of the upright. Further upstanding portions 41, 42, 43 of the base portion 31 of the bracket enable the bracket to alternatively support a different upright member of the same basic section as upright 10 but different proportions.

Each upright is attached to a wall or other support therefor by means which may be any suitable attachment means and are preferably the devices described in our British Patent Specification No. 1363232.

Each panel 11, 12 for attachment to the uprights 10 is a generally rectangular wooden panel. A portion 46 of the back wall and an edge 47 of each panel engage with walls 21 and 25 respectively of an upright and the opposite edge 48 and adjacent back wall portion 49 of the panel engage with walls 22 and 26 respectively of the next adacent upright 10 so that the panel is located between the two uprights.

Two types of clip 13, 14 (Figures 5 and 6 respectively) are provided to secure the panels 11, 12 in the just-described position between uprights 10. The clip 13 comprises a front plate 51 having a central portion 52 and two side portions 53 joined to the central portion 52 by angled intermediate portions 54. Rigidly attached to the rear face of the central portion 52, that is on the same side as the wall portions 53, is a generally rectangular channel-sectioned bracket 56. The arms 57 of the bracket project generally perpendicularly from the central portion 52 of the front plate 51 and are cut-away on their lower edge adjacent the front panel 51 so that each arm 57 forms a hook.To hold a pair of panels against an upright, the panels are first positioned as shown in Figure 2 and the clip is then inserted into a pair of slots 29, the hooks 57 passing through the slots and the clip then being pushed downwardly so that the hooks 57 engage the upright. The panels are then retained by the edge portions 53 which press against the front walls 60 of the panels. It will be realised that several clips are required to secure the panels.

Furthermore, a modified form of clip 14 (Figure 6) is used at the lower edge of panels 11. The clip 14 includes all the parts of clip 13 but has, in addition, a lug 61 extending from the lower edge of each edge wall portion 53 and perpendicular to that portion. In use, the clips 14 are engaged with the uprights 10 in the same way as clips 13 and the lugs 61 then fit under the lower edges of adjacent panels 11 to support the panels.

The panels 11 are further supported by linking strips 15 (Figure 8). Each linking strip 15 comprises a front face 63 which is finished to be aesthetically attractive, a flange 64 perpendicular to the front face and connected to the front face at its centre, and a depending flange 65 attached perpendicular to the edge of flange 64 remote from the front face 63. The lower part of the front face 63 and the flanges 64, 65 together define a channel which, in use fits over the upper edge of a lower panel 12. The lower edge of the corresponding upper panel 11 then rests on the upper side of flange 64 so that it is supported by the lower panel.

The aesthetic appearance of the panelling is completed by a trim strip 70 which fits over the front wall 28 of an upright and the edges of the panels secured thereto. The trim strip 70 has turned over edge portions 71 and includes a number of pairs of slots 72 spaced at intervals. The trim strip 70 is retained to the upright 10 by the hooks 57 of the clips 13, 14 which are pushed through the slots 72 before being engaged in the slots 29.

It will be appreciated that various ancillary fittings such as shelves, display bars, racks, lighting fittings etc., may also be supported by the uprights 10. Such fittings are supported by brackets which hook into any one of the slots 29. When such ancillary fittings are fixed on the uprights, the trim strip 70 is not used since the upright is very largely concealed by the ancillary fittings.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Panelling comprising at least one elongate support member having a succession of slots along its length in combination with two panels for attachment thereto, there being corresponding surfaces on each panel and the support member to locate the panels on the member, one panel extending from each side of the member, and a plurality of clip means each engageable with a pair of the slots and with each panel to hold the panels to the support member, each clip means having two projections in the form of hooks each engageable with one of a pair of the slots, each panel and the support member including corresponding first surface portions generally parallel to the plane of the panel and corresponding second surface generally perpendicular to the plane of the panel whereby the panel is located with respect to the support member.

2. Panelling as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a decorative strip which covers the support member and the edges of the panels engaged therewith, the decorative

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. Each upright is attached at its lower end to the floor or a batten or like sole plate by a floor connection bracket 17 (Figure 4). The bracket 17 has a base portion 31 which is secured to the floor or sole plate and has upstanding portions 33, 34, 35 which engage inside walls 21, 22 and outside wall 28 respectively. A generally rectangular channel-sectioned member 37 has its base rigidly attached to the base portion 31 and its arms 38, 39 engage inside walls 18, 19 respectively of the upright. Further upstanding portions 41, 42, 43 of the base portion 31 of the bracket enable the bracket to alternatively support a different upright member of the same basic section as upright 10 but different proportions. Each upright is attached to a wall or other support therefor by means which may be any suitable attachment means and are preferably the devices described in our British Patent Specification No. 1363232. Each panel 11, 12 for attachment to the uprights 10 is a generally rectangular wooden panel. A portion 46 of the back wall and an edge 47 of each panel engage with walls 21 and 25 respectively of an upright and the opposite edge 48 and adjacent back wall portion 49 of the panel engage with walls 22 and 26 respectively of the next adacent upright 10 so that the panel is located between the two uprights. Two types of clip 13, 14 (Figures 5 and 6 respectively) are provided to secure the panels 11, 12 in the just-described position between uprights 10. The clip 13 comprises a front plate 51 having a central portion 52 and two side portions 53 joined to the central portion 52 by angled intermediate portions 54. Rigidly attached to the rear face of the central portion 52, that is on the same side as the wall portions 53, is a generally rectangular channel-sectioned bracket 56. The arms 57 of the bracket project generally perpendicularly from the central portion 52 of the front plate 51 and are cut-away on their lower edge adjacent the front panel 51 so that each arm 57 forms a hook.To hold a pair of panels against an upright, the panels are first positioned as shown in Figure 2 and the clip is then inserted into a pair of slots 29, the hooks 57 passing through the slots and the clip then being pushed downwardly so that the hooks 57 engage the upright. The panels are then retained by the edge portions 53 which press against the front walls 60 of the panels. It will be realised that several clips are required to secure the panels. Furthermore, a modified form of clip 14 (Figure 6) is used at the lower edge of panels 11. The clip 14 includes all the parts of clip 13 but has, in addition, a lug 61 extending from the lower edge of each edge wall portion 53 and perpendicular to that portion. In use, the clips 14 are engaged with the uprights 10 in the same way as clips 13 and the lugs 61 then fit under the lower edges of adjacent panels 11 to support the panels. The panels 11 are further supported by linking strips 15 (Figure 8). Each linking strip 15 comprises a front face 63 which is finished to be aesthetically attractive, a flange 64 perpendicular to the front face and connected to the front face at its centre, and a depending flange 65 attached perpendicular to the edge of flange 64 remote from the front face 63. The lower part of the front face 63 and the flanges 64, 65 together define a channel which, in use fits over the upper edge of a lower panel 12. The lower edge of the corresponding upper panel 11 then rests on the upper side of flange 64 so that it is supported by the lower panel. The aesthetic appearance of the panelling is completed by a trim strip 70 which fits over the front wall 28 of an upright and the edges of the panels secured thereto. The trim strip 70 has turned over edge portions 71 and includes a number of pairs of slots 72 spaced at intervals. The trim strip 70 is retained to the upright 10 by the hooks 57 of the clips 13, 14 which are pushed through the slots 72 before being engaged in the slots 29. It will be appreciated that various ancillary fittings such as shelves, display bars, racks, lighting fittings etc., may also be supported by the uprights 10. Such fittings are supported by brackets which hook into any one of the slots 29. When such ancillary fittings are fixed on the uprights, the trim strip 70 is not used since the upright is very largely concealed by the ancillary fittings. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Panelling comprising at least one elongate support member having a succession of slots along its length in combination with two panels for attachment thereto, there being corresponding surfaces on each panel and the support member to locate the panels on the member, one panel extending from each side of the member, and a plurality of clip means each engageable with a pair of the slots and with each panel to hold the panels to the support member, each clip means having two projections in the form of hooks each engageable with one of a pair of the slots, each panel and the support member including corresponding first surface portions generally parallel to the plane of the panel and corresponding second surface generally perpendicular to the plane of the panel whereby the panel is located with respect to the support member.

strip also being held to the support member by the clip means.

3. Panelling as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 in which the support member includes a further surface perpendicular to and joining the second surfaces and generally co-planar with the front surface of the panels.

4. Panelling as claimed in claim 3 in which the slots are disposed in two rows in said further surface.

5. Panelling as claimed in either claims 3 or 4 in which each clip means comprises a portion generally perpendicular to the two projections and engageable with the further surface of the support members and the front surfaces of the panels.

6. Panelling as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6 in which the support member is a generally channel section member comprising a pair of opposed side walls joined together bv a web consisting of said first surface portions and a central protruding rib defined by said second and further surfaces.

7. Panelling as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which means are provided for connecting the support member to a fixed structure in a vertical orientation and a floor connection bracket is provided for anchoring the lower end of the support member.

8. Panelling as claimed in claim 7 when dependent on claim 6 in which the floor connection bracket includes upstanding projections engageable with the opposed side walls, the first surface portions and the further surface to anchor the support member.

9. Panelling as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising a plurality of parallel support members and two panels associated with each support member.

10. Panelling substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.