GB2129028A

GB2129028A - Collapsible partitioning and/or shelving system

Info

Publication number: GB2129028A
Application number: GB08229061A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Joseph Robinson
Original assignee: Ian J Robinson Ltd
Current assignee: Ian J Robinson Ltd
Priority date: 1982-10-12
Filing date: 1982-10-12
Publication date: 1984-05-10
Also published as: GB2129028B

Abstract

A plurality of tubular uprights 1 are each of circular cross-section, and provided with two series of keyhole slots. Panels 5 are similarly provided with keyhole slots 7, along their edges. Fasteners 9, each having two enlarged heads 10 at opposite ends of a narrower shank portion, are used to fasten the panels 5 to the uprights 1, in a detachable manner. Further fasteners 12 are provided to secure two panels 5 together at a desired angle to one another. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Collapsible partitioning and/or shelving system This invention relates to collapsible partitioning and/or shelving systems, and is concerned particularly although not exclusively with such systems for use as temporary exhibition or display equipment.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to provide collapsible partitioning and/or shelving systems for use as temporary exhibition or display equipment, which are capable of ready assembly and subsequent disassembly without the need for tools, and which involve a low number of standard components.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a collapsible partitioning and/or shelving system, comprising a plurality of supports each formed with a plurality of keyhole slots, a plurality of partition and/or shelf panels each formed with at least one keyhole slot, and a plurality of fasteners each having two enlarged heads adjacent a narrower shank for engagement with the slots of one of the supports and one of the panels respectively, thereby to secure together said one support and said one panel.

The term "keyhole slot" is to be understood as referring to any slot which has a narrow portion in communication with an enlarged portion.

Preferably, at least some of said supports comprise uprights, and the keyhole slots on the supports are preferably spaced at regular intervals.

The supports may be of circular or square cross-section, and each support may be provided with two series of slots, at opposite sides of the support.

Each keyhole slot may comprise two narrow slot portions at diametrically opposite sides of a central enlarged circular portion. The narrower portions may extend longitudinally of the support.

The panels may be of wood, plastics or any other suitable material, and the keyhole slots may be provided thereon by means of metal plates which are secured to the edges of the panels, and each of which is formed with a respective keyhole slot. A part circular recess may be formed underneath each metal plate, in the edge of the respective panel.

The enlarged heads of at least some of the fasteners may be provided at opposite ends of a common narrower shank, which is straight. At least some of the fasteners may comprise a central body portion having two end faces which are disposed at a predetermined angle to one another, and from each of which there extends normally a respective said narrower shank with its enlarged head thereon. Said angle may be 300, 450, 600, or 900.

Where said panels include shelf panels, at least some of said fasteners may each comprise an elongate stay, at each end of which there is formed a respective one of said enlarged heads adjacent a narrower shank.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates an upright of a partitioning and shelving system, in side view; Figure 2 shows in perspective part of a partition panel of the system; Figure 3 illustrates in plan and side view a metal plate for use on the panel of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows, on an enlarged scale, and in side and plan view, a fastener of the system; Figure 5 illustrates the fastener in perspective view; Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a panel secured to an upright by means of a fastener; Figures 7 and 8 are views similar to Figure 6, but each show a respective arrangement of two panels secured to an upright by means of fasteners; and Figure 9 is a perspective sketch illustrating a shelf panel secured between two uprights.

The illustrated system is intended as temporary exhibition or display equipment. It will be appreciated that such equipment has to be erected and disassembled at regular intervals.

usually, it has to be capable of presenting a smart appearance, whilst being simple and quick to erect and disassemble.

The illustrated system comprises a plurality of uprights 1, which are as illustrated in Figure 1.

Each upright 1 is composed of a 25 mm chrome mild steel tube, of circular cross-section. The upright 1 is provided with two series of keyhole slots 2. Each keyhole slot 2 comprises a central circular portion 3, of enlarged diameter, from which there radiate two narrower portions 4, which are disposed diametrically opposite one another and extend longitudinally of the upright 1.

The keyhole slots 2 of each series are spaced at regular intervals, and the two series are provided at diametrically opposite sides of the upright 1.

The partition panel 5 which is shown in Figure 2 is provided along its edges with metal panels 6, one of which is illustrated in Figure 3.

Each metal panel 6 is formed with a keyhole slot 7 which is of the same shape as the keyhole slots 2.

The partition panel 5 is formed along its edge with a curved rebate 8, as illustrated in chain-lines in Figure 2. This rebate may be formed very simply by means of a circular cutting tool. The metal plate 6 is then placed over the curved rebate 8, and screwed into position.

Each partition 6 is preferably constructed with a timber frame, which can be infilled with any suitable material.

The fastener 9 which is shown in Figures 4 and 5 comprises two enlarged heads 10, which are provided at opposite ends of a narrower shank portion 1 The heads 10 are of circular cross section, and are of such a size that they just fit within the enlarged circular portions 3 of the keyhole slots 2 and 7. The shank portion 11 of each fastener 9 is of such a size that it just fits within the narrower portions 4 of the keyhole slots 2 and 7.

The partition panel 5 is secured to the upright 1 in a simple manner by means of the fastener 9, as illustrated in Figure 6. Firstly, one of the enlarged heads 10 of the fastener 9 is engaged within the keyhole slot 7 along the edge of the panel 5, and the fastener 9 is then slid along the keyhole slot until its narrower portion 11 engages within the narrower portion of the keyhole slot 7. It will be appreciated that, if the dimensions are correctly chosen, the head 10 will tend to jam firmly behind the plate 6, due to the curved shape of the rebate 8. The panel 5 is then positioned adjacent the upright 1, such that the other head 10 of the fastener 9 may be engaged within the enlarged portion 3 of a respective one of the keyhole slots 2.The panel and fastener 9 are then simply allowed to drop down, whereupon the narrower shank portion 11 of the fastener 9 engages within the lower narrower portion 4 of the respective keyhole slot 2.

It will readily be appreciated that a display arrangement may build up to any desired shape and configuration, simply by connecting various panels 5 to the uprights 1 by means of the fasteners 9, at appropriate positions. Of course, the panels 5 will typically be provided with a plurality of metal plates 6, so spaced that the spacing of the keyhole slots 7 corresponds to that of the keyhole slots 2. Preferably, the panels 5 are made to a modular size (e.g. 1 metre square) to enable a regular display to be built up.

It will be appreciated that, instead of providing the uprights 1 with two series of keyhole slots diametrically opposite one another, one of the series of slots may be provided at right angles (or any other desired angle) to the other. In this way, a display of any desired shape may be built up.

However, as an alternative to this, it is found particularly advantageous to provide a set of further fasteners 12, which are similar to the fasteners 9, but which have heads 10 which are disposed at a desired angle to one another. Such an arrangement is illustrated in Figure 7, where the two enlarged heads 10 of the respective fastener 12 are disposed at an angle of 1350 to one another. To this end, the fastener 12 has a central body portion 13, formed with two end faces 14 which include an angle of 450. The enlarged heads 10 are mounted on respective narrower shanks which extend normally from the end faces 14.

Thus, as shown in Figure 7, two partition panels 5 may be disposed at an angle of 1350 to one another, by using a set of fasteners 9 along one side of the upright 1, and a set of the angled fasteners 12 along another side of the upright.

With such an arrangement, it is necessary to keep only one type of upright 1, and a plurality of different sets of fasteners 9 and 1 2.

Figure 8 illustrates an arrangement similar to that shown in Figure 7, but in which two panels 5 are disposed at a rightangle to one another, with the use of standard fasteners 9 and rightangle fasteners 15, in which the enlarged heads 10 are disposed at a rightangle to one another. It will be appreciated that any desired number of types of fasteners 9, 1 2 and 1 5 may be provided, such that the panels 5 can be arranged in any desired configuration.

In order to provide a shelf by means of the illustrated system, it will be appreciated that a plurality of uprights 1 may be interconnected by a plurality of similar supports, which are arranged horizontally rather than vertically, and which are connected to the uprights by means of the illustrated fasteners. A shelf panel may then be secured to the horizontal supports by means of the illustrated fasteners.

However, an alternative arrangement to this is illustrated in Figure 9, and in this arrangement, it is not necessary to provide horizontal supports.

Instead, a shelf panel 16, which is generally similar to the partition panel 5 and is provided with metal plates 6 at appropriate spacings, is secured between two uprights 1, by means of the illustrated fasteners. In order to maintain the shelf panel 16 Pt its desired angle, a pair of stays 17 are secured between the panel 1 6 and the upright 1.

Each of the stays 1 7 is provided at each of its two opposite ends with an enlarged head mounted on a narrower shank, corresponding to the head 10 and shank 11 portions of the fasteners 9. Thus, one end of each of the stays 1 7 simply engages in a keyhole slot in a respective one of the uprights 1, and the other end of the stay 17 engages in a keyhole slot along the respective edge of the shelf panel 1 6. The dimensions and configuration of the arrangement shown in Figure 9 are preferably such that the shelf panel 16 may be maintained in an horizontal position by means of the stay 17, at any desired level on the uprights 1. However, it will be appreciated that by engaging the lower ends of the stays 1 7 in different keyhole slots 2 in the uprights 1, the inclination of the shelf panel 1 6 may be varied as desired.Also, the sides of the panel 1 6 may be provided with a plurality of metal plates 6 such that the uprights 1 may be fastened to the panel 1 6 at various positions along the edges of the panels 1 6.

It will thus be appreciated that the illustrated system provides portable display or exhibition equipment which may be erected and disassembled very quickly, without the need for skilled labour and without the need for special tools, the system requiring only a relatively small number of standard components. All that is required is a plurality of uprights 1 (optionally of different standard lengths), a plurality of panels 5, and a plurality of fasteners 9, 12 and 15. Displays may then be built up quickly to any desired configuration. As indicated above, the uprights 1 may have a chrome finish, and the panels 5 may be finished off as desired, to provide a smart overail effect.

If desired, means may be provided for interconnecting standard lengths of uprights 1, to give uprights of different overall heights. It is not essential that the uprights are of circular cross section.

Claims

1. A collapsible partitioning and/or shelving system, comprising a plurality of supports each provided with a plurality of keyhole slots, a plurality of partitioning and/or shelf panels each provided with at least one keyhole slot, and a plurality of fasteners each having two enlarged heads adjacent a narrower shank for engagement with the slots of one of the supports and one of the panels respectively, thereby to secure together said one support and said one panel.

2. A system according to Claim 1 , wherein at least some of said supports comprise uprights.

3. A system according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the keyhole slots on the supports are spaced at regular intervals.

4. A system according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the supports are of circular cross-section.

5. A system according to Claim 1 2 or 3, wherein the supports are of square cross-section.

6. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein each support is provided with two series of slots, at opposite sides of the support.

7. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein each keyhole slot comprises two narrow slot portions at diametrically opposite sides of a central enlarged circular portion.

8. A system according to Claim 7, wherein the narrower portions extend longitudinally of the support.

9. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the panels are of wood or plastics.

10. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the keyhole slots are provided by means of metal plates which are secured to the edges of the panels, and each of which is formed with a respective keyhole slot.

1 A system according to Claim 10, wherein a part circular recess is formed underneath each metal plate, in the edge of the respective panel.

12. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the enlarged heads of at least some of the fasteners are provided at opposite ends of a common narrower shank, which is straight.

13. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein at least some of the fasteners comprise a central body portion having two end faces which are disposed at a predetermined angle to one another, and from each of which there extends normally a respective said narrower shank with its enlarged head thereon.

14. A system according to Claim 13, wherein said angle is 300, 340, 600, or 900.

1 5. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein said panels include shelf panels, and at least some of said fasteners comprise an enlongate stay, at each end of which there is formed a respective one of said enlarged heads adjacent a narrower shank.

1 6. A collapsible partitioning and/or shelving system, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

1 7. A collapsible partitioning and/or shelving system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6, together with at least one of Figures 7 to 9, of the accompanying drawings.