GB2217745A

GB2217745A - A partitioning system with support pillar

Info

Publication number: GB2217745A
Application number: GB8809287A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Adie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-04-20
Filing date: 1988-04-20
Publication date: 1989-11-01
Also published as: GB8809287D0

Abstract

A partitioning system includes at least one vertical support pillar 1 comprising a pair of elongate support channel sections 5 opposed and spaced apart by slots 6 to encompass a rectangular space 7. The opposed channel sections 5 are secured at each end by a pair of bridge members 8. The system also includes a clamp for retaining a pillar 1 in position between a floor and ceiling or transom. The clamp comprises a pair of spaced-apart plates spring-loaded on a rod, the lower plate being configured to fit within an end of a pillar 1. Perimetral channels for locating the pillar 1 at the floor and ceiling or transom are adapted slidably to receive upper or lower support pillar ends. The pillar 1 is provided with a plurality of hook locators for engaging hooks located at the rear of a panel to be mounted to the pillar. <IMAGE>

Description

'PARTITIONING SYSTEM' This invention relates to a partitioning system suitable, for example, for office buildings.

It is known to provide a partitioning system in which upright support pillars are mounted between floor and ceiling or transomes and to support external finish panels on the pillars by hook arrangements.

It is an object to provide an improved system of this kind.

A support pillar for use in a system according to the invention comprises a pair of opposed elongate channel sections spaced apart in parallel manner to define therebetween a space of rectangular crosssection and between opposed channel flanges slots at opposite sides of the pillar extending throughout or substantially throughout the pillar length.

The channel sections are suitably secured together at opposite ends of the pillar by a bridge of acoustic insulation material.

In an embodiment a bridge of acous'tic insulation is provided at each end of the pillar between each pair of opposed flanges and the bridges are disposed within the rectangular space within the pillar.

The bridges may engage flanges formed or secured to the channel flanges. In an embodiment S-shape hook members formed from flat strip metal are hooked over respective channel flanges at upper and lower ends of the pillar and are spot welded or otherwise secured. Inwardly facing hook portions of the hook members are open towards adjacent ends of the pillar and are bridged by an acoustic insulation strap, for example, of firm rubber, having spaced apertures through which respective hook portions extend. Assemblies of a pair of hook members and an insulation strap may be made by overmoulding or slidablyfitting-the strap onto the hook member prior to assembly of the hook member to the channel flanges.

Means for retaining a pillar in position between a floor and ceiling or transome suitably comprise clamping devices mountable in the upper -- end of the pillar with an external plate portion for engaging a ceiling located channel.

The retaining means has the external plate portion spring loaded in relation to means mounted within the pillar whereby variations in fit may be resiliently accommodated. The means securing ends of the channel sections of the pillar are suitably arranged to support respective clamping devices against the spring loading forces, and the parts of the clamping devices within the pillars are suitably of platelike form with flange portions engaging respective slots at opposite sides of the pillar.

Means for locating the support pillars at the floor and ceiling or transome suitably comprise perimetral channels, suitably of steel covered on the outside of the channel with acoustic insulation material such as rubber, and adapted to receive ends of pillars between the channel flanges with the clamping devices at the top engaging the base of the ceiling channel.

Means for or retaining panels on the pillar comprise hook locators mountable between the two pillar channels and suitably comprising metal, e.g. steel channel sections having internal lips at the side flange ends, and lined within the channel by acoustic insulation suitably of rubber, and having a rectangular aperture, centrally of the base of the locator channel through which the acoustic insulation projects, a metal flange pushed out from the aperture engaging the projecting insulation which extends sidewardly of the flange, on opposite sides, to present side portions formed with slots parallel with the channel flanges for engaging flange portions of the pillar channels on opposite sides of the pillar slot.The channel flanges of the pillar are suitably pre-blanked with transverse slots at locations at which it is required to mount a hook locator, the projecting insulation being located within a transverse slot and bridging the upright slot space between the pillar channels, the pushed out flange of the hook locator bridging the upright slot on an upper side of the preblanked slot to take vertical loads, and the slots at opposite sides of the projecting insulation receiving flange portions of the pillar channels at ends of the preblanked slots. Side flanges of the hook locators are spaced apart by a lesser distance than opposed pillar channel bases so that in use they are located inwardly of outer sides of the pillar channel bases by a hook receiving distance such that a panel mounted by means of hooks has its inner face urged against acoustic insulation on outer faces of spaced pillars.

In an alternative hook locator a front channel form plate is secured to a rear plate by means of a screw, the plates being spaced by a generally H-section resilient acoustic insulation member presenting slots between the limbs of the H-section for receipt of channel flanges of a pillar support, ends of the limbs adjacent the front plate extending through the front plate and across the inner faces of front plate channelf-langes. Suitably the channel flanges of the front plate are inwardly lipped, and suitably ends of the limbs of the H-section adjacent the rear plate extend through apertures in the rear plate and engage in a snap-fit.

A hook for mounting to a panel is suitably formed from sheet metal and comprises an L-section having one flange for securing to a panel and the other flange formed with a slot parallel to the one flange and open at one end for engaging a flange of a hook locator and the inner covering of acoustic insulation.

Acoustic insulation e.g. rubber sealing strips is suitably applied to outer faces of the bases of the pillar channels for receiving panel inner faces and the arrangement is such that the acoustic insulation at the outer faces of the pillar channels and the inner faces of the hook locator flanges is resiliently compressed to bias sides of the hook slots adjacent the panels away from adjacent hook locator flanges.

Means for connecting vertically adjacent panel sections suitably comprises a metal strip formed at one edge with a right angle flange terminating inwardly of the strip ends for accommodation of the strip between adjacent pillar supports, and having on an opposite face acoustic insulation e.g. rubber for abutting adjacent panel surfaces. The strip is suitably formed with a pattern of fastener apertures registrable with corresponding apertures predrilled in the panels for receiving fasteners for securing the strip to the panels.

The strip may be used at an edge of a panel for receiving clip members of a panel or head strip.

Means for adjustably locating panels suitably comprise an internally threaded collar mounted in the lower panel edge receiving a threaded screw having a foot for abutting the floor beside the perimetral channel and projecting below the collar whereby the height of the collar and the edge of the panel may-be adjusted by turning the screw. The screw may be formed with a transverse bore for engagement by a bar to facilitate such adjustment. Adjustable means are suitably provided at each end of a panel lower edge.

Glazed panels for mounting to the support pillars suitably comprise a rectangular frame supporting the glazing on acoustic insulating seals and provided with mounting hooks concealed by inwardly extending flange sections arranged, when glazed panels are secured at opposite sides of a partition or wall, to bridge the space between outer sides of the support pillar channel bases. Suitably facing inner edges of opposed flange sections are bridged by an acoustic insulation seal.

The glazing frame may be formed from metal extrusions secured at corners by joining members and integrally formed with the flange sections. Alternatively the flange sections may be formed as L-section members having one limb slottable into a frame extrusion.

Suitably bridging fasteners are engageable with adjacent ends of frame extrusions to bridge adjacent flange sections on an outer face to conceal the junction therebetween and to faste the frame extrusions together.

Retaining inserts are suitably provided for mounting shelves, cupboards or other fitments, and comprising a plate-like foot portion for slidably positioning between support pillar outwardly facing acoustic insulation and opposed inwardly facing panel surfaces, and a raised bridge portion for positioning between spaced ends of laterally adjacent panels, the bridge portion being formed with a threaded aperture for receiving a screw engageable through the bridge portion to exert thrust against the support pillar to urge the foot portion outwardly against the panels and clamp the insert in position. A support fastener may then be mounted on the projecting head portion of the screw for supporting the fitment.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying partly diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an end of a support pillar according to the invention, the other end being correspondingly formed; Figures 2 to 4 are front plan and end views of a bridge for joining opposed channels of a support pillar; Figure 5 is a perspective view cf a retaining clamp for use with the support pillar of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a retaining clamp mounted in an upper end of a support pillar; Figures 7 and 8 are fragmentary perspective views of upper and lower perimetric channels receiving ends of a support pillar; Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a hook locator mounted on a support pillar; Figures 10-12 are front, plan and end views of a hook locator;; Figure 13 is an exploded view of a support pillar and typical panelling; Figure 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of a panel from the rear and provided with a hook member; Figure 15 is a rear view of a panel showing typical hook member locations; Figure 16 is a fragmentary exploded view of a pair of panels and a connecting strip; Figures 17-19 are front, plan and end views of a portion of the connecting strip of Figure 16; Figure 20 is a fragmentary exploded view of head strip and an upper panel assembly; Figure 21 is a fragmentary sectional view of a lower portion of a panel provided with a height adjustment device; Figure 22 is a perspective view of the adjustment device of Figure 21; Figures 23 and 24 are fragmentary perspective views of a glazed panel structure from front and rear;; Figure 25 is a fragmentary perspective view of a pair of glazed panels of an alternative form mounted to a support pillar; Figures 26-28 are fragmentary front, sectional, side and sectional planviewsoftheassemblyof Figure 25; Figures 29A and B are perspective views from the rear and front of a corner fastener for the assembly of Figures 25-28; Figure 30 is a perspective view of a retaining insert; Figure 31 is a sectional plan view of a retaining insert mounted to a panel and support pillar assembly; and Figures 32-35 illustrate an alternative hook locator.

The partitioning system according to the invention comprises a basic support structure composed of vertical support pillar 1, Figures 1 and 13, suitably of gal vanised steel, spring loaded retaining clamps 2, Figure 5, suitably of steel, perimetral channels 3, Figures 7 and 8, suitably of galvanised steel, hook locators 4, Figures 9-12, and acoustic insulation strips suitably of rubber.

As shown in Figure 1 a support pillar comprises a pair of elongate channel sections 5 opposed and spaced apart by slots 6 to encompass a rectangular space 7. Adjacent ends of the channel sections 5 are secured by bridge members 8 each comprising a transverse bridge 9 of acoustic insulation, suitably - a relatively firmrubber and a pair of S-shaped hook members 10 formed from sheet metal strips folded back at each end in opposite senses to form hook portions 11,12 extending parallel to the strip and spaced therefrom to accommodate the thickness of a channel flange of the support pillar 1. At lower ends the hook portions 12 are of reduced width and facing edges of the adjacent strip are cut away to to present an aperture 13 above the bridge 9 and above the aperture 13 a narrow slot the adjacent hooks.The major strip portions between the hook portions 11,12 of the two hook members 10 are arranged in generally coplanar fashion and the lower hook portions 12 are secured by the bridge 9 in respective slots therein. Suitably the hook portions are overmoulded or slidably fitted with the rubber bridge 9. The opposed channel sections of the support pillar 1 are secured at each end by a pair of bridge members 8, the major strip portions and the bridge 9 being disposed within the rectangular space within the support pillar 1 and the hook portions 11 overlapping respective channel flanges of the pillar 1 channels where they are secured suitably by spot welds 14.

A retaining clamp 2, as shown in Figure 5 comprises a pair of plates 15,16 spring loaded on rod 17 and biased apart. The upper plate 15, as seen in Figure 5 is of generally rectangular plate form having a central downwardly recessed portion 18 extending between one pair opposite sides, the other pair of sides being turned down. The plate 15 is secured to the rod 17 centrally of the recessed portion 18, and the rod 17 extends slidably through a bore formed centrally of the lower plate to a head portion below the plate 16. A helical spring 19 is disposed about rod 17 and captured between the plates 15,16. The lower plate is configured to fit within an end of a support pillar 1 and has at one pair of opposite sides central flange extensions 20 adapted to register with pillar slots 6 and to be supported by the rubber bridges 9.The other pair of sides are formed with downward flange portions 21, cut away at their ends to accommodate the bridges 9.

Perimetral channels 3 are suitably of steel channel adapted slidably to receive upper or low support pillar ends as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

The channels 3 are covered on their outer surfaces by a layer 25 of acoustic insulation formed externally on the basal side of the channel with a central recess 26 extend- ing lengthwise of the channel. The channels 3 are suitably secured in position by screws 27 through the channel base.

As shown in Figures 9 and 13 each support pillar 1 is provided with a plurality of hook locators 4 for engaging hooks 30 located at the rear of panels 31,32 as seen in figures 14,15 to be mounted to the pillar 1. The pillar 1 is formed in opposed channel flanges with location slots at locations corresponding to the hooks 30 on the panels 31,32, at which slots a hook locator 4 is amounted. As shown in Figures 10-12 a hook locator comprises a metal channel form of short length, with edges of the side flanges turned in. Centrally of the channel web 35 is formed a rectangular aperture 34 from which the metal is pushed up to form an upper flange 35 extending normally and rearwardly from the web 33. An insert 36 of acoustic insulation material such as rubber and defining a strip lining a central portion of the channel form between the turned in flange portions formed with a body portion 37 projecting through the aperture and beyond the flange 35 which it abuts. The body portion is formed with a surrounding peripheral slot 38 spaced from the web 33 for receiving edges of the slots in the pillar supports and securing the locator in position transversely of the pillar 1 as seen in Figure 9. The end of the body 37 facing away from the web is suitably chamfered around its periphery to facilitate assembly to the pillar slots.

As shown in Figure 13 spaced panelling 40 are arranged to receive support pillars 1 between the panellings 40 each of which may comprise a pair of abutting panels 41 a head piece 42 and a skirting 43, the panels and skirting being secured internally by connecting pieces as shown in Figures 16-19 and the head piece 42 being secured by clips to a connection piece as shown in Figure 20.

As shown in Figure 14 a hook member 30 is formed from sheet metal in L-section with a downwardly open upright slot 44 in one limb and spaced fixing apertures in the other for receiving screws securing the hook member 30 to the rear of a panel at a location spaced inwardly from a side of the panel so that in use the panel overlaps a support pillar 1. The slot 44 is spaced from the other limb sufficiently to embrace the side flange of a hook locator and the rubber strip lining, which side flange is set inwardly of a channel web face of the pillar when the panel edge is abutting a layer of resilient acoustic insulation facing the pillar 1. The acoustic insulation facing the pillar and the rubber strip lining the hook locator flange are resiliently compressed to bias sides of the hook slots adjacent the panels away from adjacent hook locator flanges.

As shown in Figures 16-19, a connecting strip for joining vertically adjacent panels comprises a strip 50 of sheet metal formed at a lower edge with a stiffening flange 51 extending rearwardly and terminating short of ends of the strip acoustic insulation strips 52, suitably of rubber, are mounted to the forward face of the strip along opposite side edge portions for engaging a rear face of a panel edge portion. The strip is formed with apertures 53 for fastening screws 54 adapted to register with predrilled holes in the panel rear face.

As shown in Figure 20 a head strip 56 for mounting above a panel 57 is suitably provided with a plurality of downwardly facing spring clips 58 adapted to clip onto an upper edge 59 of a connecting strip 50 secured to the upper rear portion of the panel 57.

A plurality of panel adjusters for vertical adjustment of panels are suitably provided at the bottom of a panelling between adjacent support pillars 1. A panel adjuster, as shown in Figures 21 and 22 comprises a collar 60 mountable in the mouth of a vertical bore 61 formed in the lower edge of a panel, the collar having a threaded bore in which is mounted a threaded rod 62 formed with an apertured head 63 arranged to be disposed outside the panel edge with the rod 62 extending into the bore 61. In use the heads 63 of the rods seat on the floor outside the lower perimetral channel adjacent the lower corners of a panelling and by adjustby means of a bar inserted in the head aperture to rotate the threaded rods the panneling may be vertically adjusted by movement of the hooks on the hook Supports.

Panel heights are adjustable from all four base corners of the module, without the need to remove panels during adjustment. No repositioning of hook locators is required and no realignment of the vertical space between individual panels is necessary due to the constant distance maintained by the steel connecting strip. The adjustment of each panelling module allows the use of gradually stepped panel heights if desired where inclined floor levels are involved.

Glazed panels may be formed as shown in Figures 23 and 24 in which glazing 70 is supported in glazing channels 71 of an extrusion 72 e.g. of aluminium, having a resilient glazing seal strip 73 mounted in the channel 71. Frame members are suitably mitred at corners and secured by rivets to a corner bracket plate 74.

Flanges 75 extend rearwardly of the extrusions 72 and rearwardly and inwardly of the frame to provide means for bridging the space between opposite sides of the support member 1 as seen generally in Figure 25 which discloses an alternative form in which flange portions 75A are snap-fitted into recesses formed in frame extrusions 72A. At corners 76, snap-fit fasteners 77 as shown in Figures 29A and B are snapped into the extrusion slot to secure the frame member and facilitate fitting of the flange portions 75A. A fastener 77 comprises a generally square face plate 78 formed with a 450 mitre line 79 on its front face and having a corner portion 80 at an inner end of the mitre line 79 cut away.A half plate portion 81 is formed to the rear and over the lower half of the plate 78 with one end 82 aligned with an inner edge of the square cut out 80 at the mitre corner and the other end projecting beyond the plate 78 by a corresponding amount. The lower side of the half plate and the projecting end being formed with elongate portions of cylindrical form for snap-fit -engagement with the extrusion recesses.

A retaining insert for mounting shelving, cupboards or other fitments at a face of panelling is shown in Figure 30 and comprises a segmented plate-like foot portion 90 of generally rectangular form, and a raised bridge portion 91 formed centrally with a threaded aperture 92 and four leg portions 93 joining the bridge portion 91 to the respective segments of the foot portion.

In use, as shown in Figure 31, the raised bridge portion 91 is positioned between adjacent edges of panels 94,95 at a support pillar 1 and with the segmented foot portion between a pillar facing strip 96 of rubber which is recessed to accommodate the foot portion 90 and to allow it to be positioned by sliding up or down to a desired location. A headed screw 97 is threaded between the panel edges through the aperture 92 in the bridge portion and against the facing strip 96 to generate a reaction force against the pillar 1 and clamp the insert in position. A projecting head portion of the screw may then receive a fastener for supporting the fitment.

The solid panelling is suitably composed of 16 mm sheets of bi-laminated and boarded chipboard which can be broadly categorised into main panelling, skirting, and head strips. Two standard module widths are foreseen, namely 1 m and 1.2 m, although non standard modules may be provided e.g. for partition ends or throughout the wall.

Panels are drilled during manufacture in order to accept hooks and connecting strips at the site assembly stage. The panels contained in a module are connected to each other by means of galvanised steel angle strips which are screwed on during site assembly.

Head strips can be clipped on and off during and after assembly to allow positioning of the main panelling and to permit later inspection of possible wiring and service cables or pipes.

The split pillar prevents the transfer of vibrc ion from one side of the pillar to the other by breaking the continuity of sound flow across the pillar section.

At the end connecting points between the 2 halves, rubber insulating material is employed to absorb and disrupt the passage of sound. Similarly the rubber insulated hook locators are designed to avoid direct metal to metal contact and thereby minimise vibration transfer. It should be noted that the hook locators are intended to retain the external panels, not to support them.

Configuration of the steel connecting strips means that vertical passage obstruction experienced in other frame and sheet partitioning systems, is overcome. This is particularly useful when inserting fire resistant or sound insulating material in strip or panel form in the interspace between the external panels. Physical passage is also made easier in the horizontal sense through the permanent 10 mm gap between the two pillar halves. This gap can be enlarged at certain points through blanking during manufacture according to the needs of the service tubing and wiring.

Figures 32, 33 and 34 are front elevation, plan and side view of a modified hook locator 100, and Figure 35 shows a locator 100 mounted to a pillar support 1. The hook locator 100 comprises a front channel form plate 101 having inturned flange edges 102, and spaced therefrom a rear rectangular plate 103 corresponding in width to, but of lesser height than, the channel base 104 of the plate 101. As seen in Figure 33 an acoustic insulation member 105, suitably of rubber, is of generally H-section and is positioned between the channel base 104 and the rear plate 103. As seen in Figures 32 and 35 the member 105 is of lesser height than the members 101,103 and extends across a central band region 106 between opposite sides.Headed projections 107 at ends of the limbs of the H-section member 105 project from outer sides through apertures in the channel base 104 and the plate 103, suitably in a snap-fit, to secure the base 104 and plate 103 resiliently together.

The headed portions 107 of the front limb are further extended to line central regions of the hook support flanges 108 of the channel member 101.

The plate 103 and channel base 101 are provided centrally with aligned bores 110,111 for receipt of a screw 112 Figure 35 for-clamping the hook support member in position, the bore 110 being threaded to engage the screw 112.

To assemble a member 101 to pillar support 1, the plate 103 is oriented vertically in relation to and inserted through a pillar slot 6, and then turned through 900 to a horizontal position as shown in Figure 35 when the screw 112 may be driven to clamp the hook support member in position.

Additional location and slots are not needed in the pillar channels and the position of a hook support member 100 vertically of a pillar may be selected at will.

Claims

1. A partitioning system including a support pillar comprising a pair of opposed elongate channel sections spaced apart in parallel manner to define therebetween a space of rectangular cross-section and between opposed channel flanges slots at opposite sides of the pillar extending throughout or substantially throughout the pillar length.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channel sections are secured together at opposite ends of the pillar by a bridge of acoustic insulation material.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein a bridge of acoustic insulation is provided at each end of the pillar between each pair of opposed flanges and the bridges are disposed within the rectangular space within the pillar.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein bridges engage flanges formed or secured to the channel flanges.

5. A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein S-shape hook members formed from flat strip metal are hooked over respective channel flanges at upper and lower ends of the pillar and are spot welded or otherwise secured.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein inwardly facing hook portions of the hook members are provided open towards adjacent ends of the pillar and are bridged by an acoustic insulation strap, for example of a firm rubber, having spaced apertures through which respective hook portions extend.

7. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein assemblies of a pair of hook members and an insulation strap may be made by overmoulding or slidably fitting the strap onto the hook member prior to assembly of the hook member to the channel flanges.

8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, including means for retaining a pillar in position between a floor and ceiling or transom.

9. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pillar retaining means comprise clamping devices mountable in the upper end of the pillar with an external plate portion -for engaging a ceiling located channel.

10. A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the external plate portion of the retaining means is spring loaded in relation to means mounted within the pillar whereby variations in fit may be resiliently accommodated.

11. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein means securing ends of the channel of the pillar are arranged to support respective clamping devices against the spring loading forces, and the parts of the clamping devices within the pillars are rod plate-like form with flange portions engaging respective slots at opposite sides of the pillar.

12. A system as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11, including means for locating the support pillars at the floor and ceiling or transom.

13. A system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the locating means comprise perimetral channels, suitably of steel, covered on the outside of the channel with acoustic insulation material such as rubber, and adapted to receive ends of pillars between the channel flanges with the clamping devices at the top engaging the base of the ceiling channel.

14. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, including means for retaining panels on the pillar.

15. A system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the panel retaining means comprise hook locators mountable between the two pillar channels.

16. A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein each hook locator comprises metal channel sections having internal lips at the side flange ends, and lined within the channel by acoustic insulation suitably of rubber, and having a rectangular aperture, centrally of the base of the locator channel through which the acoustic insulation projects, a metal flange pushed out from the aperture engaging the projecting insulation which extends sidewardly of the flange, on opposite sides, to present side portions formed with slots parallel with the channel flanges for engaging flange portions of the pillar channels on opposite sides of the pillar slot.

17. A system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the channel fLanges of the pillar are pre-blanked with transverse slots or locations at which it is required to mount a hook locator, the projecting insulation being located within a transverse slot and bridging the upright slot space between the pillar channels, the pushed out flange of the hook locator bridging the upright slot on an upper side of the preblanked slot to take vertical loads, and the slots at opposite sides of the projecting insulation receiving flange portions of the pillar channels at ends of the preblanked slots.

18. A system as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein side flanges of the hook locators are spaced apart by a lesser distance than opposed pillar channel bases so that in use they are located inwardly of outer sides of the pillar channel bases by a hook receiving distance such that a panel mounted by means of hooks has its inner face urged against acoustic insulation on outer faces of spaced pillars.

19. A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein each hook locator comprises a front channel form plate secured to a rear plate by means of a screw, the plates being spaced by a generally H-section resilient acoustic insulation member presenting slots between the limbs of the H-section for receipt of channel flanges of a pillar support, ends of the limbs adjacent the front plate extending through the front plate and across the inner faces of front plate channel flanges.

20. A system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the channel flanges of the front plate are inwardly lipped, and ends of the limbs of the H-section adjacent the rear plate extend through apertures in the rear plate and engage in a snap-fit.

21. A system as claimed inanyoneofclaims15to20,including a hook for mounting to a panel formed from sheet metal and comprising an L-section having one flange for securing to a panel and the other flange formed with a slot parallel to the one flange and open at one end for engaging a flange of a hook locator and the inner covering of acoustic insulation.

22. A system as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 21, wherein acoustic insulation,e.g. rubber sealing strips, is applied to outer faces of the bases of the pillar channels for receiving panel inner faces and the arrangement is such that the acoustic insulation at the outer faces of the pillar channels and inner faces of hook locator flanges is resiliently compressed to bias sides of the hook slots adjacent the panels away from adjacent hook locator flanges.

23. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, including means for connecting vertically adjacent panel sections.

24. A system as claimed in claim 23, wherein said connecting means comprises a metal strip formed at one edge with a right angle flange terminating inwardly of the strip ends for accommodation of the strip between -adjacent pillar supports, and having on an opposite face acoustic insulation for abutting adjacent panel surfaces.

25. A system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the strip is formed with a pattern of fastener apertures registrable with corresponding apertures predrilled in the panels for receiving fasteners for securing the strip to the panels.

26. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the strip may be used at an edge of a panel for receiving clip members of a panel or head strip.

27. A system as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 26, including means for adjustably locating panels.

28. A system as claimed in claim 27, wherein said panel locating means comprise an internally threaded collar mounted in the lower panel edge receiving a threaded screw having a foot for abutting the floor beside the perimetral channel and projecting below the collar whereby the height of the collar and the edge of the panel may be adjusted by turning the screw.

29. A system as claimed in claim 28, wherein the screw may be formed with a transverse bore for engagement by a bar to facilitate such adjustment.

30. A system as claimed in claim 27, 28 or 29, wherein adjustable means are provided at each end of a panel lower edge.

31. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, including glazed panels for mounting to the support pillars comprising a rectangular frame supporting the glazing on acoustic insulating seals and provided with mounting hooks concealed by inwardly extending flange sections arranged, when glazed panels are secured at opposite sides of a partition or wall, to bridge the space between outer sides of the support pillar channel bases.

32. A system as claimed in claim 31, wherein facing inner edges of opposed flange sections are bridged by an acoustic insulation seal.

33. A system as claimed in claim 31 or 32, wherein the glazing frame is formed from metal extrusions secured at corners by joining members and integrally formed with the flange sections.

34. A system as claimed in claim 31 or 32, wherein the flange sections are formed as L-section members having one limb slottable into a frame extrusion.

35. A system as claimed in claim 34, wherein bridging fasteners are engageable with adjacent ends of frame extrusions to bridge adjacent flange sections on an outer face to conceal the junction therebetween and to fasten the frame extrusions together.

36. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein retaining inserts are provided for mounting shelves, cupboards or other fitments.

37. A system as claimed in claim 36, wherein said retaining inserts comprise a plate-like foot portion for slidably positioning between support pillar outwardly facing acoustic insulation and opposed inwardly facing panel surfaces, and a raised bridge portion for positioning between spaced ends of laterally adjacent panels, the bridge portion being formed with a threaded aperture for receiving a screw engageable through the bridge portion to exert thrust against the support pillar to urge the foot portion outwardly against the panels and clamp the insert in position.

38. A system as claimed in claim 37, wherein a support fastener may be mounted on the projecting head portion of the screw for supporting the fitment.

39. A partitioning system substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 9, 13 to 22, 30, 31, and 10 to 12 or 32 to 35, and 23 to 24 or 26 to 29B of the accompanying drawings.