GB2204346A

GB2204346A - Double glazing panels

Info

Publication number: GB2204346A
Application number: GB08709238A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Richard Stephenson
Original assignee: WARD BUILDING SYSTEMS Ltd
Current assignee: WARD BUILDING SYSTEMS Ltd
Priority date: 1987-04-16
Filing date: 1987-04-16
Publication date: 1988-11-09
Also published as: GB8709238D0

Abstract

A twin glazing panel (11) for partitioning comprises a pair of glazed frame sub-units (110, 111) held together by a channel member 18 having hooks engaging slots in the ends of the frame uprights 90. An acoustic clamping member 114 is sandwiched between the frames. Panel 11 is joined to the channel edge 61 of an adjacent panel by a spring urged connecting member 30 cammed into engagement therewith. Panels are mounted between a top track and vertically adjustable bottom track 70. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: "Partitions comprising demountable panels', Description of Invention This invention relates to partitions comprising demountable panels.

Such partitions permit of versatility in the subdivision of rooms into smaller units, for example, offices or for industrial purposes by means of partitions which are capable of re-arrangement if it is desired to change the configuration of the smaller units.

It is becoming common to make the partitions from prefabricated elements supplied to site. For example, "solid" panels, door panels, window panels or the like are manufactured in a factory and are then transported to site where they are mounted in interconnected juxtaposition to form a partition. Such partitions must satisfy acoustic insulation requirements and, in at least some constructions, prevent a fire spreading from one side of the partition to the other. It is, therefore, necessary to connect the panels together and hitherto this has been done by using connector pieces between adjacent edges of the panels and subsequently covering these connector pieces with cover strips. Generally, a relatively large space has been provided between the edges of adjacent panels to enable access into the joint in order to perform the connection.

It is frequently desirable for such panels to comprise twin glazing panels in which two sheets of glazing are disposed in side-by-side spaced relationship and frequently have disposed between then an item of equipment such as a venetian blind. Because of the presence of two sheets of glazing such panels are relatively heavy and so are impracticable to manufacture in a factory and transport and assemble on site. In addition, if there is an article of equipment between the panels then in the event of that equipment failing it is difficult, if not impossible, to effect repair or replacement on site.

According to the present invention we provide in or for partitioning comprising demountable panels a twin glazing panel comprising a pair of subunits each sub-unit comprising a glazed frame and the sub-units being disposed so that the glazing is in face-to-face spaced relationship and means to maintain the sub-units is said relationship.

An insulating material may be disposed in engagement with and between the frames to isolate the frames from acoustic vibrations.

The means for maintining the sub-units in said relationship may comprise joining members extending along the vertical edges of the sub-units and adapted to be connected thereto.

The connection may comprise projections adapted to be received within sockets.

The ajoining members may comprise part of a connecting means to connect the twin glazing panel to an adjacent panel in the partition.

The twin glazing panel may be arranged to be supported on a floor track, the floor track having a recess adapted to receive a projection provided on the base of the twin glazing panel, a portion of the projection being provided by each sub-unit and the projection and recess being configured so as to cause the sub-units to be urged towards each other by a resultant force arising from the reaction of the weight of the sub-units acting on the floor track.

The projection may be generally V-shaped, one side of the opposite sides of the V being provided by part tongues provided on each sub-unit.

The top of each sub-unit may comprise a top member having a recess to receive the glazing sheet and a transversely extending flange the free edges of the flanges of adjacent units being adapted to abut, preferably with acoustic insultating material therebetween to maintain the top edges of the sub-units at a predetermined spacing.

The top members may comprise extensions on the opposite side of the flanges to the glazing panels so as to form a channel shaped recess with the flanges to receive a part of a ceiling track whereby the top of the twin glazing panel is connected to a ceiling.

The present invention permits of the convenient manufacture of the sub-units in a factory and transport to site, followed by convenient assembly on site simply by positioning the sub-units on the floor track and then connecting the vertical edges together using the hereinbefore described joining means. If it is desired to disassemble a twin glazing unit on site for example for servicing of a venetian blind then the reverse operation may be easily formed. Of course, the twin glazing unit of the present invention may be incorporated in a partition having the other features described herein and in particular the features identified in the statement of invention of our co pending applications indentified by our Reference Nos. A5 191 GB and A5198GB.

FIGURE I is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of a bottom part of a partition embodying the invention, and FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a top part of the one panel of the partition shown in Figure 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a top part of the other panel of the partition shown in Figure I, and FIGURES 4a-4e are diagramatic horizontal cross-sectional view showing various configuration of junction panel.

Referring to the drawings, a partition is indicated generally at 10 and comprises a plurality of dismountable panels arranged in edge to edge juxtaposition. In Figure 1 part of two such panels li, 12 is shown. The partition may comprise any desired number of identical panels and the partition may extend rectilinearly or through any desired angular configuration therebeing appropriate means provided at the corners. The partition may comprise panels of any desired type for example "solid" panels, glazed panels or door panels. In the illustrated example the panel II is a twin glazed panel whilst panel 12 is a "solid" panel.

The preferred construction of the panels 11 and 12 will be described hereinafter although other constructions may be provided if desired but irrespective of the detailed construction, the panels are provided with mullion members which extend vertically along the two opposite vertical edges of the panels. Thus, a first edge 13 and a second edge, not shown, of the one panel II is provided with a first mullion member 14 whilst a first edge, not shown and a second edge 15 of the other panel 12 is provided with a second mullion member 16. The precise constructional details of the mullion members may vary from panel to panel particularly where the panels are of different type, as will be more apparent from a detailed description of the panel constructions hereinafter, but the mullion members are functionally similar.

For convenience the structure at only the first edge 13 of the one panel will now be described, the second edge thereof being the same. The first mullion member 14 is provided with a plurality of pairs of slots 17 at equally spaced positions along the height of the mullion member. A first generally channel shaped member 18 is attached to the first mullion member 14 by means of two pairs of pressed-out hook parts 19 which are received within the slots 17 of two pairs of slots and by means of two self-tapping securing screws 20 which pass through apertures 21 in a base part 22 of the channel member 18 and are threadedly engaged in apertures 23 of the first mullion member 14.

If desired a different number of pairs of hook parts and securing screws may be provided.

The first generally channel shaped member 18 has out-turned lips 24 at the free ends of the limbs 25 thereof. Movably mounted between the limbs 25 is a channel shaped connecting member 30 having a base 31 and spaced limbs 32. The spacing of the limbs 32 is such that they are a sliding fit within the limbs 25 of the first generally channel shaped member 18.

The base 31 of the connecting member 30 is provided with three apertures 33 at spaced positions along its length, only one of which is shown in Figure I, whilst a corresponding number of square apertures 34 are formed in the base 22 of the first member 18. A clip 35 having a U-shaped portion 36 and a downwardly depending leg 37 is positioned sothat the U-shaped part 36 is engaged over the edge 38 of the aperture 34, therebeing a tag pressed out of the limb of the U-shaped part 36 which is connected to the downwardly depending leg 37 which engages in a slot 39 formed in the base 22 to retain the clip in position. The leg 37 overlies the base 31 of the connecting member 30 and engages therewith in the region indicated at 40 and thus resiliently biases the base 31 of the connecting member 30 against the base 22 of the first generally channel shaped member 18.A single coil tension spring 41 is engaged between a tag 42 formed on the base 31 of the connecting member 30 and a tag 43 provided on the base 25 of the first generally channel shaped member 18, therebeing an aperture 44 provided in the base 31 to accommodate the main body of the spring 41. The spring 41 thus resiliently biases the connecting member 30 downwardly.

If desired more than one spring or some other form of resilient biasing means may be provided.

Two cams, only one of which is shown at 50 in Figure 1, are provided by tags pressed out of the base 22 of the first generally channel shaped member 18 so as to extend upwardly and outwardly of the first edge 13 of the panel 11. A corresponding tag 51 is pressed out of the base 31 of the connecting member 30 and the tag which provides the cam 50 passes through the resultant aperture 52 formed thereby so that the under surface of the tag 50 provides a cam for engagement with the upper surface of the tag 51. If desired the tag 51 may be omitted and simply an appropriatly shaped aperture provided in the base 31 the lower edge of which would provide a cam follower for engagement with the cam provided by the tag 50.

An aperture 53 is provided in the base 31 to permit access to be gained to the screws 20 hereinbefore described. A foot 55 is fixed to the bottom of the connecting member 30 so that the foot 55 projects below the bottom 56 of the first generally channel shaped member 18 and hence below the bottom of the panel II so that a stepped configuration is provided between the bottom of the connecting member 30 and the remainder of the panel 11.

For convenience the structure at only the second edge 15 of the other panel 12 will now be described; the first edge thereof being the same. The second mullion member 16 is formed with pairs of slots 60 similar to the slots 17 of the first mullion member 14 and a second generally channel shaped member 61 is attached to the second mullion member 16 by means of hook portions 62 similar to the hook portions 19 and by a single self-tapping securing screw 63 which passes through an aperture 64 in a base part 65 of the second channel member 61 Iand is threadedly received in an aperture 66 provided in the second mullion member 16. Again a different number of pairs of hook portions and securing screw may be provided.

The second generally channel shaped member ól Ihas spaced limbs 67 having out-turned lips 68.

The second channel member ó l is provided with an acoustic foam material gasket 69 the spacing of the limbs 67 being such as to provide adequate space between the gasket surfaces to receive the connecting channel 30.

The panels 11, 12 are supported at their bottoms on a floor track 70 and are located at their upper edges 80 by a ceiling track 81 as best shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The floor track 70 comprises a base part 71 adapted to be secured to the floor in any convenient manner and a panel engaging part 72 which is adjustable vertically relative to the base part 7 1 by a screw jack means 73 so that any uneveness in the floor can be accommodated.

The panel engaging part 72 has a channel shaped elongate socket 74 the base 75 of which carries a high friction material such as a high density synthetic rubber strip 76 which is engaged by the apex 77 of a V-shaped tongue 78 provided on the under side of the panels. The free edges of the limbs 79 of the socket 74 engage the sides of the tongue. The frictional engagement between the tongue 78 and the strip 76 restrains movement of the panels in a direction parallel to their central plane and hence restrains the panels from separation in this direction.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3 the ceiling track 81 is of generally inverted channel shape having a base 82 connected to the ceiling in a desired manner and spaced side limbs 83 the space between which is occupied by rockwool or other acoustic and/or thermally insulating material. The side limbs 83 provided a tongue part 84 which is received within a elongate groove or socket 85 having spaced limbs 87, provided in a top member 86 of the panels. The relative lengths of the limbs 83 and 87 are such as to permit of the tongue and socket parts 84, 85 being engaged whilst the tongue 78 can be lifted over a limb 79 of the floor track 70 and when the panel is lowered to engage the tongue 78 with the strip 76.

In use, when it is desired to mount a panel, such as the panel II, in juxtaposition with another panel such as the panel 12 the panel 11 is first.

manipulated so that the tongue part 84 is engaged between the limbs 87 of the socket 85 and with the panel is positioned longitudinally closely adjacent the edges of the adjacent panels 12 and then the tongue 78 is lifted over a limb 79 of the track 70. The panel 11 is then lowered and the feet 55 then engage the free ends of the limbs 79 before the remainder of the panel engages the floor track 70.

Consequently, a resultant force exists between the locking members 30 at the first and second edges of the panel 11 and the remainder of the panel, acting in a vertically upward direction, and this causes each cam follower 51 to slid along the associated cam 50 and thus cause the locking members 30 to move upwardly and outwardly away from the associated first and second edges 13 of the one panel II and into engagement within the limbs 67 of the second channel 61 of the adjacent panels 12. Consequently, the panels 11 and 12 are connected together from movement transverse to the central plane P of the panels.It will be appreciated that because the connecting members 30 only move into engagement within the second channel members 61 over the last portion of downward movement of the panel II the panel II can be offered up into position simply by a transverse movement of the first panel II without requiring any longitudinal movement of the panel 11 in the direction towards the panels 12.

When it is desired to dismount the panel II a reverse sequence of operations is performed.

The corners 90, 91 of the panels II, 12 are, when the panels are connected together as hereinbefore described spaced apart by a small distance sufficient to permit a shelf or other mounting bracket 92 to pass therebetween. The bracket 92 comprises a first limb 93 having a pair of hook formations 96 which are received in adjacent slots 17. The limb 93 is connected by a curved part 94 to a second limb 95 which is of a desired configuration, not shown, to support a shelf or any other desired component.The brackets 92 are manipulated in position by initially aligning the limb 95 generally parallel to the central plane P of the panel I I and then passing the limb 93 through the gap between the corners 90, 91.As the curved part 94 passes through the gap the bracket is manipulated by rotating through 900 until it occupies the orientation shown in Figure I and then the strip is moved downwardly to engage the hook formations 96 in the slots 17.

Preferably guide surfaces are provided adjacent the slots 17 to guide the hook formations 96 therein.

The bracket 92 may, instead, be positioned to extend from the opposite side of the panels to that illustrated or could be engaged with the slots 60, with of course, the orientations of the limbs 93 and 95 arranged correspondingly.

It will be appreciated that the out-turned lips 24 of the first channel member 18 are disposed in engagement with the coated out-turned lips 68 of the adjacent second channel members 61 both to effect an acoustic and fire seal and also to position the corners 90, 91 at the desired spacing.

The small gap necessary to accommodate the relatively thin bracket 92 may, in regions where no bracket is provided, be trimmed with an appropriate trim strip is desired. Where no facility for bracket provision is required then the length of the limbs of the first and second channel members 18, 61 may be arranged so that the corners 90, 91 are in abutment.

In the present example the "solid" panel 12 comprises inner and outer skins 100, 101 made of I mm steel plate externally coated with plastics material. The skins 100, 101 receive therebetween the second mullion members 16 which are each a one-piece member of generally channel shape the limbs 102 of the channel being received within the skins 100, 101 and the skins 100, 101 having in-turned flanges 103 which overlie inclined parts 104 of the base 105 of the mullion members 16. Rivets or screws are provided between the overlaped parts of the skins and mullion members to secure them together. Appropriate thermal and/or acoustic insulating material 106, such as rockwool is provided between the skins 100 and 101.

The panel 11 shown in Figure I is a twin glazing unit. Such a twin glazing unit may, if desired, have a venetian blind disposed between the glazing panels.

Such twin glazing units because of the presence of two sheets of glass are relatively heavy and hence difficult to manipulate and, in addition, if made so as not to be readily dismantable it is difficult or impossible to service any venetian blind or the like disposed between the glass panes.

The twin glazing unit II comprises two sub-units 110, Ill. Each subunits 110, 111 comprises a sub-mullion members 112, 113 which combine together to form the first mullion member 14 described hereinbefore. The sub-mullion members 112, 113 are separated by an anti-vibration and acoustic damper material, for example, high density synthetic rubber as indicated at 114. The sub-mullion units may be made of any suitable material and have a recess 115, 116 which receive edge parts of respective glass panels 117, 118.

A similar sub mullion assembly provided at the opposite edge of the panel.

Bottom sub members 119 are also provided and combine together to provide the hereinbefore described V-shaped tongue 78 at the bottom of the panel.

At the top, the sub-units have sub top members 120, 121 provided respectively with recesses 122, 123 for the glass panels 117, 118 and have projecting flanges 124, 125 the free edges of which are forced into abutment with a thermal and/or acoustic insulating material therebetween id desired by the hereinafter described means for securing the sub-units together. The members 120, 121 provide the socket 85 which receives the tongue part 84 of the ceiling track 81. A suitable sealing strip 126 is provided.

The sub-units 110, 111 are held together by virtue of engagement of the hooks 19 in the slots 17 of the sub-units and the screws 20 engaged in the apertures 23. The part V-shaped tongues of the bottom sub member 119 also serve to urge the sub-units 110, 111 together. It will be appreciated, therefore, that it is relatively easy to assemble the twin glazing unit on site by standing the sub-units 110, Ill on the track and then securing them together with the generally channel shaped members 18, as described above.

Conversely the panels can be easily disassembled on site by reversing the procedure.

It is preferred that the mullion members, first and second generally channel shape members and locking member are made by pressing in steel but may be made of other material and/or other ways for example by rolling or moulding or extrusion in synthetic plastics material.

It will be appreciated that the sub-units 110, 111 are isolated from acoustic vibration from each other due to the presence of the anti-vibration damper strip 114.

Referring now- to Figure 4, when it is desired that the partition changes direction a special junction panel is provided of the appropriate configuration. For example, where the partition is to turn through a corner of 900 then a panel 12a of the configuration shown in Figure 4a is provided.

The panel is of the same construction as the panel 12 described hereinbefore except that instead of the inner and outer skins comprising planar parallel sheets they each comprise L-shaped sheets. The edges 13a, 15a are each provided with a first generally channel shaped member and connecting member, or second generally channel shaped member corresponding to the members 18 and 30 or 61 described with reference to Figure 1. The limbs of such a corner shaped panel may be of equal length as shown in Figure 4a or of different lengths as shown for example in Figure 4b. It will be appreciated that the relative length of the limbs may be as desired.

Where the partition is to join a further partition, for example at ct junction then a T-shaped panel may be provided as shown at Figure 4c the edges of the panels being provided with channel shaped members or channel members and connecting members as necessary to interfit with adjacent panels. Figure 4d shows the shape of panel which would be used where four partitions are to meet orthogonally whilst Figure 4e shows how three partitions may intersect, two at right angles and one at 1200. Any other desired configuration may be provided and would, of course, be provided with appropriate generally channel shape or generally channel shaped and connecting members. By providing such panels of specific configuration it is arranged that the connection between all panels of a partition is identifical and thus a constant standard of connection is achieved throughout the partition with no exception at corners or other junctions. There is therefore no interruption of the integrity of the partitioning in the vicinity of a corner or other junction.

Claims

CLAIMS:

I. A twin glazing panel in or for partitoning comprising demountable panels, the panel comprising a pair of sub-units each sub-unit comprising a glazed frame and the sub-units being disposed so that the glazing is in faceto-face spaced relationship, means being provided to maintain the sub-units in said relationship.
2. A panel according to Claim I wherein an insulating material is disposed in engagement with and between the frames to isolate the frames from acoustic vibrations.
3. A panel according to Claim I or Claim 2 wherein the means for maintaining the sub-units in said relationship comprises joining members which extend along the vertical edges of the sub-units and are adapted to be connected thereto.
4. A panel according to Claim 3 wherein the connection comprises projections adapted to be received within sockets.
5. A panel according to Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the joining members comprise part of a connecting means to connect the twin glazing panel to an adjacent panel of the partitioning.
6. A panel according to any one of Claims I to 5 wherein the twin glazing panel is arranged to be supported on a floor track, the floor track having a recess adapted to receive a projection provided on the base of the twin glazing panel, a portion of the projection being provided by each sub-unit and the projection and recess being configured so as to cause the sub-units to be urged towards each other by a resultant force arising from the reaction of the weight of the sub-units acting on the floor track.
7. A panel according to Claim 6 wherein the projection is generally Vshaped, one side of the opposite sides of the V being provided by part tongues provided on each sub-unit.
8. A panel according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the top of each sub-unit comprises a top member having a recess to receive the glazing sheet and a transversely extending flange the free edges of the flanges of adjacent units being adapted to abut.
9. A panel according to Claim 8 wherein an acoustic insulating material is provided between the abutting flanges to maintain the top edges of the subunits at a predetermined spacing.
10. A panel according to Claim 8 or Claim 9 wherein the top members comprise extensions on the opposite sides of the flanges to the glazing panels so as to form a channel shaped recess with the flanges to receive a part of a ceiling track whereby the top of the twin glazing panel is connectable to a ceiling.
A I. A twin glazing panel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and aas shown in the accompanying drawings.
12. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.