GB2157735A

GB2157735A - Partitions

Info

Publication number: GB2157735A
Application number: GB08409433A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Charles Moore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-04-11
Filing date: 1984-04-11
Publication date: 1985-10-30
Also published as: GB2157735B

Abstract

A partition post (10) was fixed there to gripping means (14) and a deflector element (21), on one side of the post (10), and an actuator bolt (13) rotatable from the other side of the post (10) in order to cause the deflector element (21) to move so as to deflect gripping portions (17) of the gripping means (14) into the panels (31) of a partition (30). The panel (30) comprises parallel outer layers (31) spaced from each other by a cellular structure (32) connected therebetween, the gripping means (14) being received by a recess (33) in an edge (30a) of the panel (30) between the outer layers (31). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to partitions This invention relates to partitions of the kind which are erected in offices, shops, factories and other such places, comprising generally upright posts which support panels, and is primarily, but not exclusively, concerned with partitions having panels of the kind, hereinafter referred to a being of the kind specified, comprising substantially parallel outer layers (such as plasterboard) spaced from each other by a cellular structure thereby tween and known in the trade as "Dufaylite" (Registered Trade Mark).

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a partition post comprising gripping means and a deflector element, the gripping means and the deflector element lying substantially on one side of the post, and the post having an actuator element operable from the other side of the post to cause movement of the deflector element to delfect the gripping means.

The gripping means may comprise a limb, which is advantageously resilient, having a gripping portion and the deflector element may slidably abut the limb to cause deflection of the limb.

The deflector element may be wedge-shaped. Alternatively, or additionally, the limb, at least where abutted by the deflector element, may be inclined to the direction of movement of the deflector element.

Preferably, two such limbs are provided, the deflector element being capable of slidably abutting both of the limbs, so that said improvement of the deflector element increases the separation of the gripping portions.

The gripping portion, or at least one of the gripping portions, may have an edge which is directed laterally outwardly, the edge advantageously being serrated.

Said movement may be reversible, so that when the post is in use in a partition, the deflector element may be moved to a position in which it no longer deflects the gripping means, thereby facilitating removal of the post from the partition.

Preferably, the actuator element comprises a bolt having a threaded portion which engages a complementarily threaded portion of the deflector element, so that rotation of the bolt is capable of causing said movement of the deflector element.

Use of such a bolt conveniently permits such movement to be reversible, and the bolt is easily operable, for example by manually applying a suitably shaped tool to a head portion of the bolt.

Conveniently, the post has a main body comprising an elongate element of hollow partially open cross-section.

The gripping means may comprise a plurality of gripping units, each unit being of insubstantial length compared with the post.

Alternatively, the gripping means may comprise a single gripping unit, said unit being comparable in length with the post.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a partition assembly comprising a partition panel of the kind specified, together with a partition post, the post having gripping means and a deflector element substantially on one side thereof, said gripping means being received by a recess in an edge of the panel between the outer layers, and the deflector element being movable under the action of an actuator element operable from the other side of the post so as to urge the gripping means into gripping engagement with at least one of said layers.

The gripping means may comprise two limbs, which are advantageously resilient, having respective gripping portions which are deflected away from each other, and against respective outer layers, under a wedging action of the deflector element between the limbs.

The deflector element may be reversibly movable under action of the actuator element, so that the deflector element may be moved to a position in which it no longer urges the gripping means, thereby facilitating demounting of the post from the panel.

Preferably, the actuator element comprises a rotatable bolt having a threaded portion which engages a complementarily threaded portion of the deflector element. Rotation of the bolt is capable of causing movement of the deflector element. Rotation of the bolt is capable of causing movement of the deflector element. Use of such a bolt conveniently permits such movement of the deflector element to be reversible, and the bolt is easily operable, for example by manually applying a suitable shaped tool to a head portion of the bolt.

Each gripping portion may comprise a respective laterally outwardly directed serrated edge, thereby facilitating gripping of said outer layers by the gripping portions.

The gripping means may comprise a plurality of gripping units each of insubstantial length compared with the post.

Alternatively, the gripping means may comprise a single gripping unit comparable in length with the post.

With any such gripping means, the recess may be provided by a passage through the panel and the gripping means may engage the outer layers near the far end of the passage so as to urge the outer layers outwardly into abutment with respective side members of a channel mounted on a wall, thereby facilitating retention of said panel in the channel.

The post may be in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

Several embodiements of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the acompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows, in solid lines, an end elevation of a partition post embodying the invention, and shows, in broken lines, an end elevation of a portion of a partition panel which with the post forms a partition assembly embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a front elevation of a gripping means of the post of Figure 1, as seen from the direction indicated by arrow A in Figure 1, with all other parts of the post omitted; Figure 3 is a front elevation of a deflector element of the post of Figure 1, as seen from the direction indicated by arrow A in Figure 1, with all other parts of the post omitted; Figure 4 is an end elevation of an alternative deflector element for the post;; Figure 5 is an end elevation of a further alternative deflector element for the post; Figure 6 is a front elevation, to a reduced scale, of an alternative gripping means for the post; Figure 7 is a partly cross-sectional view, to an intermediate scale, of a further partition assembly embodying the invention; and Figure 8 is a partly cross-sectional view, to said intermediate scale, of an additional partition assembly embodying the invention.

Referring first to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, a partition post 10 has a main body comprising an elongate element 11 of hollow cross-section having an opening 12 for receiving a connecting plate (hereinafter to be described) and for providing access by a user to a head portion 13' of an actuator bolt 13. Gripping means comprising a gripping unit 14 having a base 14a, from which resilient limbs 15 extend, is secured to a back portion 11a of the elongate element 11 by rivets 16 (only one of which is visible in Figure 1). The limbs 15 are provided with gripping portions 17 comprising respective laterally outwardly directed serrated edges with teeth 18. The bolt 13 extends through the back portion 11a and the base 14a and has a threaded portion 13a which engages a complementarily threaded nut 19 attached to a sheet metal deflector plate 20.The nut 19 and the plate 20 constitute a deflector element 21 of the post 10.

When the bolt 13 is rotated in a clockwise manner (as viewed through the opening 12), the deflector element 21 is moved towards the elongate element 11 in the direction indicated by arrow A.

The deflector element 21 and the gripping unit 14 have channel-like shapes which prevent them from rotating relative to each other as a result of rotation of the bolt 13. The plate 20 comprises mutually inclined portions 20a which give the deflector element 21 a wedge-like profile. The portions 20a slidably abut respective limb portions 15a which are inclined to the direction of movement of the deflector element 21. Thus, when the bolt 13 is rotated as descibed above, the deflector element 21 abuttingly slides between the portions 15a, thereby deflecting the limbs 15 so as to increase the separation of the gripping portions 17.

In the use of the post 10, the post 10 is positioned with the back portion 11a against an edge 30a of a "Dufaylite" partition panel 30 so that the gripping unit 14 and the deflector plate 21 are received within a recess 33 in the edge 30a. The panel 30 comprises a pair of parallel outer layers 31 spaced from each other by a cellular structure 32 connected therebetween. When the bolt 13 is then rotated clockwise, for example using a tool applied manually to the head portion 13' via the opening 12, the limbs 15 are urged in the respective directions indicated by arrows B and B' so that the teeth 18 grip inwardly facing surfaces of the outer layers 31, and thereby retain the gripping unit 14 in the recess 33. In this manner, the post 10 is mounted on the panel 30.End portions 20bprovided on the deflecting element 21 prevent the deflecting element 21 from passing completely between the limbs 15.

When it is desired to demount the post 10 from the panel 30, the bolt 13 is rotated anti-clockwise to permit the limbs 15 to return under their own resilience to their undeflected positions, wherein the portions 17 lessen their grip on the layers 31, thereby facilitating pulling of the post 10 away from the panel 30 without causing significant damage either to the post 10 or to the panel 30.

The angle Y indicated in Figure 1 is within the approximate range 45' to 75', for example about 60'.

The angle Z indicated in Figure 1 is within the approximate range 15 to 45', for example about 30' The angle X indicated in Figure 2 is within the approximate range 702 to 110 , for example about 90;.

"Dufaylite" panels, such as the panel 30, have pre-decorated outwardly facing surfaces. A particular advantage deriving from the invention is that such surfaces are not marked by mounting or demounting of the post 10 on or from the panel 30.

It will be appreciated that if one of the limbs 15 is omitted, the post 10 could still be mounted on the panel 30. One of the end portions 20b will then abut one of the outer layers 31, and the remaining limb 15 may then grip the other of the outer layers 31 by wedging of the remaining limb between said other of the outer layers and the deflector element 21.

One or both of the limbs 15 need not be resilient, but removal of the post 10 from the panel 30 is facilitated when the limbs 15 are resilient so as to be capable of returning, under their own resilience, to states wherein the layers 31 are substantially not gripped by the portions 17.

Figures 4 and 5 provide end views of alternative channel-like deflecting elements 41 and 51 respectively suitable for use in the post 10. A plate portion 40 of the element 41 is formed by bending thereof from sheet metal, and a plate portion 50 of the element 51 is formed by stamping thereof from sheet metal.

The gripping unit 14 is of insubstantial length compared with the post 10, and a plurality of units such as the unit 14 are secured, spaced from each other, along the elongate element 11. If desired, such a plurality of gripping units may be replaced by a single alternative gripping unit 60 shown in Figure 6. The unit 60 is substantially a longer version of the unit 14, and has a length which is comparable with that of the elongate element 11 of the post 10. A plurality of deflector elements such as those hereinbefore described may be used in con junction with the unit 60, or a single, longer deflector element (not shown) may be used if desired.

In a partition assembly 70 shown in Figure 7, a post 10' similar to the post 10 except for the provision of a slightly modified elongate element 11', is mounted on the panel 30 and a further post 110', substantially identical to the post 10', is mounted on a further panel 130, the posts 10' and 110' being in close-spaced parallel relationship to each other. The post 110' and the panel 130 are oppositely oriented with respect to the post 10' and the panel 30.

Connection means comprising a rigid metal connecting plate 75 acts between the posts 10' and 110' in order to connect together the panels 30 and 130. The plate 75 has edge portions 71 and 171 which in the assembly 70 are received by respective openings 12 and 112 of the posts 10' and 110', the portions 71 and 171 subsequently being retained behind respective pairs of flanges 76, 76 and 176, 176 following insertion of the plate 75 into the openings 12 and 112 and subsequent rotation of the plate 75 into the configuration shown in Figure 7. The plate 75 and the flanges 76,76 and 176,176 are then concealed from view by incorporating cover elements 73 into the assembly 70, the cover elements 73 being retained in position by engagement thereof with projections 72 and 172 on the flanges 76,76 and 176,176 respectively.

An additional assembly 80 embodying the invention is shown in Figure 8. A post 210 is similar tothe post 10 but its bolt 213 is of considerably greater length than the bolt 13. Thus, when the elongate element 11 is in abutment with the edge 30a, the bolt 213 is able to pass through a passage 85 in the panel 30 to the far end of the passage 85 adjacent to a far edge 30b of the panel 30. The deflector element 51 is as hereinbefore described.

A gripping unit 214 of the post 210 is identical to the unit 14, but does not lie adjacent to the elongate element 11 and is oppositely oriented so that different inclined portions thereof are slidably abutted by the deflector element 51.

In order to mount the post 210 against the panel 30, the bolt 213 is passed through the passage 85 until the gripping unit 214 is near said far end, the elongate element 11 then lying against the edge 30a. The screw 213 is then rotated clockwise thereby causing movement of the deflector element 51 which in turn urges serrated gripping portions 217 of the unit 214 outwardly to grip inwardly facing surfaces of the layers 31.

If the far edge 30b of the panel is now placed in a channel 81 mounted on a wall 90, and the bolt 213 is rotated further, beyond the position shown in Figure 8, the gripping portions 217 urge the layers 31 outwardly into frictional abutment with respective side members 82 of the channel 81, thereby mounting the panel 30 against the wall 90.

Gaps between the layers 31 and respective side members 82 are exaggerated in Figure 8 for clarity.

The opening 12 may receive a connecting plate such as the plate 75 of Figure 7 in order to connect the post 210, substantially in the manner depicted in Figure 7, to a further post in accordance with the invention.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilized for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A partition post comprising gripping means and a deflector element, the gripping means and the deflector element lying substantially on one side of the post, and the post having an acutator element operable from the other side of the post to cause movement of the deflector element to deflect the gripping means.

2. A post according to Claim 1 wherein the gripping means comprises a limb, which is advantageously resilient, having a gripping portion and the deflector element slidably abuts the limb to cause deflection of the limb.

3. A post according to Claim 2 wherein the deflector element is wedge-shaped.

4. A post according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the limb, at least where abutted by the deflector element, is inclined to the direction of movement of the deflector element.

5. A post according to any one of Claims 2 to 4 wherein two such limbs are provided, the deflector element being capable of slidably abutting both of the limbs, so that said movement of the deflector element increases the separation of the gripping portions.

6. A post according to any one of Claims 2 to 5 wherein the gripping portion, or at least one of the gripping portions, has an edge which is directed laterally outwardly, the edge advantageously being serrated.

7. A post according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said movement is reversible.

8. A post according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the acutator element comprises a bolt having a threaded portion which engages a complimentarily threaded portion of the delfector element, so that rotation of the bolt is capable of causing said movement of the deflector element.

9. A post according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the gripping means comprises a plurality of gripping units, each unit being of insubstantial length compared with the post.

10. A post according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 wherein the gripping means comprise a single gripping unit, said unit being comparable in length with the post.

11. A partition assembly comprising a partition panel of the kind specified, together with a partition post, the post having gripping means and a deflector element on one side thereof, said gripping means being received by a recess in an edge of the panel between the outer layers, and the deflector element being movable under the action of an actuator element operable from the other side of the post so as to urge the gripping means into gripping engagement with at least one of said layers.

12. An assembly according to Claim 11 wherein the gripping means comprises two limbs, which are advantageously resilient, having respective gripping portions which are deflected away from each other, and against respective outer layers, under a wedging action of the deflector element between the limbs.

13. An assembly according to Claim 11 or Claim 12 wherein the deflector element is reversibly movable under action of the actuator element.

14. An assembly according to any one of Claims 11 to 13 wherein the actuator element comprises a bolt having a threaded portion which engages a complementarily threaded portion of the deflector element.

15. An assembly according to any one of Claims 12 to 14 wherein each gripping portion comprises a respective laterally outwardly directed serrated edge, thereby facilitating gripping of said outer layers by the gripping portions.

16. An assembly according to any one of Claims 11 to 15 wherein the gripping means comprises a plurality of gripping units, each of insubstantial length compared with the post.

17. An assembly according to any one of Claims 11 to 15 wherein the gripping means comprises a single gripping unit comparable in length with the post.

18. An assembly according to any one of Claims 11 to 17 wherein the recess is provided by a passage through the panel and the gripping means engages the outer layers near the far end of the passage so as to urge the outer layers outwardly into abutment with respective side members of a channel mounted on a wall, thereby facilitating retention of the panel in said channel.

19. An assembly according to any one of Claims 11 to 18 wherein the post is in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 10.

20. A partition post substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.

21. A partition assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1, 7 or 8 of the accompanying drawings.

22. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.