GB2199862A

GB2199862A - A demountable panelling system

Info

Publication number: GB2199862A
Application number: GB08729572A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bryan Harry Thompson
Original assignee: Environmental Panelling Syst
Current assignee: Environmental Panelling Syst
Priority date: 1986-12-30
Filing date: 1987-12-18
Publication date: 1988-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 2007-12-18
Also published as: GB2199862B; GB8729575D0; GB8729572D0; CA1304906C; GB2199863A; GB2199863B; CA1309829C

Abstract

A demountable panelling system includes a main support framework made up of separable framework sections 10. The framework sections 10 have support rails 18 secured thereto that are horizontally disposed at different heights, the support rails being located to be engaged by engagement clips 32 secured to individual panels 20, 22 for removably securing the panels to the framework sections. The clips 32 (Fig 3 not shown) includes a planar panel securing section (34) and a clipping formation (32) adapted to clip onto a support rail 18. <IMAGE>

Description

A DEMOUNTABLE PANELLING SYSTEM THIS INVENTION relates to wall panelling. In particular, the invention relates to a demountable panelling system and to components for use in such a system.

According to the invention there is provided a demountable panelling system, which includes a main support framework that can be demountably erected in a required location within a compartment where panelling is required; support rails that are secured to the support framework, to be disposed substantially horizontally between upright-s of the framework, in its operative configuration; panels for covering the support framework; and engagement clips secured to the panels and disposed to engage the support rails for securing the panels to the support framework.

The main support framework may be pre-manufactured in framework sections, each framework section including at least two spaced apart uprights between which support rails are secured. The support rails may be secured to the framework sections during pre-manufacture thereof. More particularly, at least two support rails may be secured to each framework section in a parallel spaced apart configuration with respect to one another.

The panelling system of the invention may therefore provide for support frameworks to be pre-designed, which will permit the pre-manufacture of the framework sections with the support rails secured thereto before the framework sections are erected on site. The framework sections may be height adjustable to accommodate any variations in the spacing between roofs and floors between which panelling is required.

The panels may typically be gypsum board panels that may be pre-painted or otherwise covered or upholstered to provide the operative outer surfaces thereof with a required outward finish. The panels may also be pre-manufactured and the engagement clips may be pre-secured to the panels.

The engagement clips may be secured to the panels by mechanical means such as rivets, bolts and nuts, nails, screws, an adhesive, or a combination of such means.

The panels may further have peripheral mounting frames applied on one side thereof, the outer edge of which coincides with the outer edge of the panels and which, in the operative configuration of the panels, are disposed between the panels and the support framework.

The engagement clips may define a stepped side profile having panel securing sections, that are secured to the panels, and off-set clipping formations, spaced from the panels by a distance equal to approximately the thickness of the mounting frames and being adapted to clip onto the support rails secured to the support framework.

Preferably, the support rails and the engagement clips may define complementary formations whereby the clips can securely engage the support rails, when securing the panels to the main support framework. In practice, the panels are effectively suspended by the support rails, permitting self-alignment with the main support framework and with one another.

The engagement clips may further have locking means engaged therewith for locking the clips in their operative mode of engagement with the support rails. More particularly, the locking means may be locking screws that can screw into apertures defined within the clipping formations of the engagement clips, for engaging the support rails in a location so that the engagement clips cannot be disengaged from the support rails.

The engagement clips may be of any suitable material such as of a synthetic plastics material, a metal material such as aluminium, or the like.

The main support framework and the support rails may also be of a metal material such as of aluminium, or a like suitable material.

The invention extends also to an engagement clip for a demountable panelling system which includes a planar panel securing section, securable to a panel of the panelling system, and a clipping formation adapted to clip onto a horizontally disposed support rail secured to the framework of the panelling system, for securing a panel to the framework.

The clipping formation may be off-set from the plane of the securing section. Still further, the engagement clip may include locking means for locking the clip with respect to a support rail with which it is engageable, which locking means may be a locking screw that is displaceable to simultaneously engage the clip and a securing rail engaged by the clip, in use.

Clearly, the engagement clip as above defined may be specifically adapted for use with a demountable panelling system in accordance with the present invention.

The invention clearly extends also to an engagement clip as such which is specifically adapted for a demountable panelling system in accordance with the invention.

Still further, the invention extends to a method of erecting demountable panelling which includes, erecting a main support framework having horizontally disposed support rails between operatively vertical uprights, and securing panels to the framework by engaging engagement clips, secure with the panels, with the support rails.

This method may clearly include the use of a demountable panelling system in accordance with the present invention.

The invention is now described, by way of an example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an exploded three-dimensional view of a section of panelling forming a part of a panelling system in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows a side-view of an engagement clip for use in the panelling system; and Figure 3 shows the engagement clip cf Figure 2 in its operative configuration.

Referring initially to Figure 1 of the drawings, a panelling system, in accordance with the invention, generally includes a pre-manufactured main support framework that can be erected on site and onto which panels can be secured in the manner hereinafter described.

The main support framework is made up of separate pre-manufactured framework sections 10, each framework section including two spaced apart uprights 12, with a top member 14 and base member. 16 holding the uprights in their desired spaced apart configuration. One or more support rails 18 are secured in pre-determined locations between the uprights 12, the particular configuration shown illustrating three such support rails 18.

A complete main support framework can therefore be constructed in a desired location within a compartment by erecting the separate framework sections 10 adjacent one another between the roof and floor of the compartment. The framework sections provide for height adjustment insofar as the top members 14 are vertically displacable with respect to the uprights 12 in the manner clearly illustrated. In this way, any variation in spacing between roof and floor can be accommodated. Framework sections 10 can be secured to one another by bolts and nuts, rivets, or the like.

Figure 1 illustrates one framework section only and it will be understood that a plurality of such sections can be erected adjacent one another to define a complete wall. The framework sections may also make provision for door openings, window openings, vents and the like, the-sections being made up at a remote location as required before being transported to the site where they are erected.

The particular framework section 10 as illustrated provides for two opposing panels, 20 and 22 respectively, to be attached to the framework section 10, each panel including a gypsum board sheet element 26. The sheet elements 26 may be attached to the framework section in their natural form, or may be painted or be upholstered, as is the panel 20 illustrated in the drawing.

In particular, the panel 20 has a foam layer 24 applied to the sheet element 26, with an outer covering element 28 covering the foam layer to provide the outward surface appearance as illustrated.

Each panel, 20 and 22, is further associated with a panel mounting frame 30 which is to be disposed between the panel and the framework section 10 in the operative configuration of the panel. This is clearly illustrated in the drawing.

The panels are attached to the framework section 10 by means of engagement clips 32 that can engage the support rails 18 by clipping onto these rails, it being typically anticipated that a panel, such as the panel 22, is engaged onto a framework section by means of six such engagement clips that are pre-secured to the panel. It will be understood that by the proper location of the engagement clips, the panels can be attached onto the framework section 10 through vertical displacement thereof with respect to the sections, whereby the engagement clips clip onto the support rails 18.

Figure 2 illustrates in side-view the particular configuration of the engagement clips 32, these clips defining a stepped side profile having a panel securing section 34, that is securable to a panel by means of rivets, screws, nails, an adhesive, or a combination thereof, and a clipping formation 36, that can co-operate with a complementary formation defined by the support rails 18 for the proper secure location of the panels to the framework sections.

The clip 32 is shown in more detail in its operative configuration in Figure 3, where it engages a support rail 18.

The panel is here marked by the reference numeral 40 and the spaced relationship with the support rail 18 is clearly provided by the panel mounting frame 30 to be disposed between the panel and the framework section 10.

A locking means is also provided for locking a panel in its operative configuration with respect to a framework section, the locking means comprising a locking screw 42 that screwingly engages a threaded formation 44 defined within the clipping formation 36, the screw 42 being displaceable into the configuration illustrated in Figure 3, in which disengagement between the clip 32 and support rail 18 will be inhibited.

The Applicant believes that the above mode of constructing panelling is extremely simple and will be very quick to carry out, which will render it very economical. The actual configuration of the clip formations 32 and support rails 18 allow a panel to be self-aligning in the horizontal plane and, in this way, adjacent panels will all be aligned with one another without requiring special adjustments. The clips 32 clearly have a spring action which allow engagement with the support rails and which also ensures a rattle-free fit of a panel onto a framework section 10. The complete panelling system also provides for skirting elements 50 and roof elements 52, which are not described in further detail herein as they do not form an essential part of the present invention.The panels themselves may clearly also provide for additional formations such as light switch apertures 54, and the like, all these formations being pre-formed prior to erection.

The panelling system of the invention clearly requires desired panelling to be completely pre-designed, which will permit pre-manufacture of the components and parts thereof, the mode of locating the actual panels permitting frameworks to be pre-erected, with the spaces defined within the frameworks being utilised for wiring, and the like. The actual location of the panels may become the last step in the construction of the panelling, which will not require any additional finishing and any damage to the panels due to finishing operations is thereby largely prevented.

It will be understood that alternative clipping arrangements may also be provided and the invention extends also to such arrangements which permit panels to be clipped onto framework sections, to be effectively suspended thereby.

Claims

1. A demountable panelling system, which includes: a main support framework that can be demountably erected in a required location within a compartment where panelling is required; support rails that are secured to the support framework, to be disposed substantially horizontally between uprights of the framework, in its operative configuration; panels for covering the support framework; and engagement clips secured to the panels and disposed to engage the support rails for securing the panels to the support framework.

2. A panelling system as claimed in Claim 1, in which the main support framework is pre-manufactured in framework sections, each framework section including at least two spaced apart uprights between which support rails are secured.

3. A panelling system as claimed in Claim 2, in which the support rails are secured to the framework sections during pre-manufacture thereof.

4. A panelling system as claimed in Claim 3, in which at least two support rails are secured to each framework section in a parallel spaced apart configuration with respect to one another.

5. A panelling system as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, in which the support framework is pre-designed, which permits the pre-manufacture of the framework sections before their erection on site.

6. A panelling system as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 5, in which the framework sections are height adjustable.

7. A panelling system as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 6, in which the panels are gypsum board panels.

8. A panelling system as claimed in Claim 7, in which the panels are pre-painted before being secured to the support framework.

9. A panelling system as claimed in Claim 7, in which the panels are pre-upholstered before being secured to the support framework.

10. A panelling system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the panels are pre-manufactured with the engagement clips secured thereto.

11. A panelling system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the engagement clips are secured to the panels by mechanical means such as rivets.

12. A panelling system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the panels have peripheral mounting frames applied on one side thereof, the outer edge of which coincides with the outer edge of the panels and which, in the operative configuration of the panels, are disposed between the panels and the support framework.

13. A panelling system as claimed in Claim 12, in which the engagement clips define a stepped side profile having panel securing sections, that are secured to the panels, and off-set clipping formations, spaced from the panels by a distance equal to approximately the thickness of the mounting frames and being adapted to clip onto the support rails secured to the support framework.

14. A panelling system as claimed in any one of the preceeding claims, in which the support rails and the engagement clips define complementary formations whereby the clips can securely engage the support rails, when securing the panels to the main support framework.

15. A panelling system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the panels are effectively suspended by the support rails, permitting self-alignment with the main support framework and with one another.

16. A panelling system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the engagement clips have locking means engaged therewith for locking the clips in their operative mode of engagement with the support rails.

17. A panelling system as claimed in Claim 16, insofar as this claim is dependent on Claim 13, in which the locking means are locking screws that can screw into apertures defined within the clipping formations of the engagement clips, for engaging the support rails in a location so that the engagement clips cannot be disengaged from the support rails.

18. A panelling system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the engagement clips are of a synthetic plastics material.

19. A panelling system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 17, in which the engagement clips are of aluminium.

20. A panelling system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the main support framework and the support rails are of aluminium.

21. An engagement clip for a demountable panelling system which includes a planar panel securing section, securable to a panel of the panelling system, and a clipping formation adapted to clip onto a horizontally disposed support rail secured to the framework of the panelling system, for securing a panel to the framework.

22. A clip as claimed in Claim 21, in which the clipping formation is offset from the plane of the securing section.

23. A clip as claimed in Claim 21 or Claim 22, which is of a synthetic plastics material.

24. A clip as claimed in Claim 21 or Claim 22, which is of aluminium.

25. A clip as claimed in any one of Claims 21 to 24, which includes locking means for locking the clip with respect to a support rail with which it is engageable.

26. A clip as claimed in Claim 25, in which the locking means is a locking screw that is displaceable to simultaneously engage the clip and a securing rail engaged by the clip, in use.

27. A clip as claimed in any one of Claims 21 to 26, which is specifically adapted for use with a demountable panelling system, as claimed in anyone of Claims 1 to 20.

28. An engagement clip for a demountable panelling system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 20.

29. A method of erecting demountable panelling which includes, erecting a main support framework having horizontally disposed support rails between operatively vertical uprights, and securing panels to the framework by engaging engagement clips, secure with the panels, with the support rails.

30. A method as claimed in Claim 29, which includes the use of a demountable panelling system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 20.

31. A demountable panelling system substantially as described in the specification with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

32. An engagement clip substantially as described in the specification with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

33. A method of erecting demountable panelling substantially as described in the specification with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.