GB2309234A

GB2309234A - Partitioning systems

Info

Publication number: GB2309234A
Application number: GB9700976A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lee Arnold Roth
Original assignee: MHR DESIGNS Ltd
Current assignee: MHR DESIGNS Ltd
Priority date: 1996-01-22
Filing date: 1997-01-17
Publication date: 1997-07-23
Anticipated expiration: 2017-01-17
Also published as: GB2309233B; GB2309237A; GB9601239D0; GB9701002D0; GB9700928D0; GB2309236B; GB2309234B; GB9700976D0; GB2309237B; GB2309236A; GB2309235A; GB9700992D0; GB9701003D0; GB2309233A; GB2309235B

Description

2309234

SPECIFICATION

PARTITIONING SYSTEMS Descripti Technical Field

The invention relates to partitioning systems, and particularly to such systems having a primary elongate member whose cross-section perpendicular to its length is based generally on an H configuration. In known systems such elongate members are used, together with secondary elongate members, to form the vertical and horizontal components of a structure of a building, the areas between these components being filled with panels of opaque or transparent material, thereby forming partitions. Such partitions are used as windows and/or walls to separate, for example, rooms and corridors within a building, or to separate the interior of a shop or other building from the outside. Accordingly, in this specification the terms 'partition' and 'partitioning system' are to be interpreted broadly as embracing all such aspects.

2 BackMund Art It is known to form partitions using primary members of generally H cross- section wherein panes of glass forming panels are set generally perpendicularly to the cross-bar of the H. In such partitions the panes of glass may be restrained from movement by secondary elongate members which engage formations on the primary elongate members.

Disclosure of the Invention.

According to the invention a partitioning element for a partitioning system comprises an elongate member (10) having a cross-section perpendicular to the length comprising two parallel legs (13) equally spaced from a parallel centre axis (B-B)and interconnected by and extending on the same side from a cross-bar (16), the ends of the legs being provided with similar clipping formations (2 1) suitable to engage in snap-fit manner with co-operating formations of an associated elongate member, each clipping formation being provided with a vertical surface (21b) parallel to the parallel legs (13) suitable to act as a horizontal stop, a horizontal surface (2 1 c) parallel to the cross-bar suitable to act as a vertical stop, a projection (2 1 d) suitable to receive a slotted gaske and a reaction surface (2 1 g) providing a reaction force directed generally towards the cross-bar ( 16).

Definition In this specification the figures of the drawings represent cross- sections of elongate members taken perpendicularly to their length. For convenience the term "section" is used for "crosssection perpendicular to the length". Also the term "horizontal" has been applied to direction across the paper from side to side, and the term "vertical" to the perpendicular direction up and down the paper from top to bottom It will be appreciated that when partitions are erected in real space the elongate members may be disposed in various directions as required, so that "horizontal" and "vertical" as used in this specification need have no relationship with these directions in real space.

3 Also in this specifications the descriptors "firse', "second", "third", etc., have been used in relation to elongate members and formations on such members. These terms are to be regarded merely as tags or labels to help identify and distinguish one part from another; they have no significance as regards order, and are independent of other tags in the form of ordinals.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 represents a section of a primary elongate member according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure]a represents a detail of Figure 1 at enlarged scale.

Figure 2, 3, 4 5 and 6 represent sections of secondary elongate members which may be associated with the primary member of Figure 1.

Figure 7 represents an assembly of the members of Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Figure 8 represents an assembly of the members of Figures 1, 4 and 5.

Figure 9 represents an assembly of the members of Figures 1, 2, 3 and 6.

Figure 10 represents an assembly of the members of Figures 1, 4, 5 and 6.

Figure 11 represents a section of a flexible gasket.

Figures 12 and 13 represent sections of two fin-ther secondary elongate members which may be used with the primary member of Figure 1.

Figure 14 represents an assembly of the members of Figures 1, 11 and 12.

Figure 15 represents an assembly of the members of Figures 1, 6, 11 and 12.

Figure 16 represents an assembly of the members of Figures 1, 11 and 12 and further components.

Figure 17 represents an assembly of the members of Figures 1, 1 land 13.

Figure 18 represents an assembly of the members of Figures 1, 6, 11 and 13.

Figure 19 represents an assembly of the members of Figures 1, 11 and 13 and flu-ther components.

Figure 20 represents an assembly of the members 1, 2, 3 and further components.

Figure 21 represents an assembly of the members 1, 4 and 5 and flirther components.

Figures 22 and 23 represent the arrangements of Figures 17 and 18 when provided with fire rating members 4 Modes for cag.dug out the Invention.

As shown in Figure 1 a first elongate member 10 for a partitioning system, especially a glazed partitioning system, has a section based on a H configuration, the section having two spaced vertical bars 12 disposed perpendicularly to a cross-bar 16 based upon a median axis A-A' which bisects the bars 12. The bars 12 are equidistant from a vertical centre axis B-B'. As shown the outer portions of the cross-bar 16 are co-linear with the axis A-A' and its junctions with the bars 12 provide upper and lower legs 13, 14, as shown all of equal length. At equal distances from the centre axis B-B' the cross-bar 16 is provided with vertical bars 18 providing upper inner vertical legs 19 and lower inner vertical legs 20, as shown the four legs 19, 20 being of equal length. The legs 19, 20 terminate in similar second clipping formations 22, 23, which engage in a snap-fit manner with co-operating formations on a further elongate member in a partitioning system as described hereinafter. The bars 18 have a length no greater than half that of the bars 12 to provide for inter alia appropriate relative resiliences. Each pair of formations 22, 23, is symmetrically disposed with respect to the median axis A-A'.

The vertical legs 13, 14, are provided at their ends with similar clipping formations 2 1, which are sufficiently resilient to engage in a snap-fit manner with co-operating formations on further secondary elongate members in said partitioning system as explained hereinafter. As best seen in Figure I a each formation 21 is provided with the following features, starting from the outer extremity: an upper surface 2 1 a perpendicular to the bar 12, a vertical face 2 1 b which may act as a stop, a horizontal shoulder 2 1 c which may act as a stop, a projection 2 1 d which is bounded by the shoulder 2 1 c a sloping face 2 1 h and a lower horizontal face 2 1 e, a sloping surface 2 1 f facing generally away from the cross-bar 16, and a reaction surface 2 1 g providing a reaction force directed generally towards the cross-bar 16. As shown the surface 2 1 g is a planar surface which is neither horizontal nor vertical but is at an angle between these, and it may have any angle so that it is facing generally towards the cross-bar 16 and so that it provides a reaction force with a component towards the axis A-A' and a component towards the axis B-B'. Alternatively the surface could be curved provided it provided such a reaction force.

These features are involved when the member 1 is associated with various other elongate members as will be explained.

As shown in phantom lines the cross-bar 16 may extend linearly between the legs 12, and in this case the member 10 is symmetrical about both the axis B-W and the axis A-A'. However, in an alternative arrangement shown in full lines a centre portion 24 of the cross-bar 16 between the inner legs 18 is displaced downwardly from the axis A-A' to near the formations 23. In this case the member is symmetrical about both axes excep for the portion 24 which has no matching portion on the upper side. Furthermore, the legs 13 may be longer or shorter than the legs 14, resulting in symmetry about the axis B-W only. In this case no part of the cross bar 16 may coincide with the median axis A-A' which bisects the bars 12. However, an essential factor is that each formation 21 or 22 or 23 is matched by a similar formation symmetrically disposed with respect to the median axis A-A'.

Figure 2 shows a section of a second elongate member 30 for use with the first elongate member 10 of Figure 1. The member 30 comprises a linear portion 32 supporting on one side a centrally disposed formation 34 in the form of a T-rail having a stern 3 6 and a top 3 8, and on the other side resilient limbs 40 equally spaced from a central vertical axis C-C'. The limbs 40 terminate in third clipping formations 42. The formations 42 are so arranged as to engage and co-operate in a snap-fit manner with the second clipping formations 22 or 23 on the first elongate member 10, thus providing for symmetrical arrangements on either side of the axis A-A'.

Figure 3 represents opposite end views of a section of a third elongate member 46 for association with the members 10 and 30 of Figures 1 and 2. In use two members are used in the disposition shown. Each member 46 comprises a horizontal linear portion 48 carrying at one end a crosspiece 50 generally perpendicular to the portion 48, but having ends 52, 54, canting away from the portion 48. At the other end the member 46 has vertical portion 56 leading to an inwardly-directed shoulder 58 from which extends a vertical portion 59 which terminates in a fourth clipping formation 60 suitable for engaging and co-operating in a snapfit manner with a formation 21 on primary member 10 as best seen in Figure 7. In that Figure a pair of members 46, a member 30 and a glass pane 62 are assembled together as shown to effect single-glazing on either side of a primary member 10.

6 In Figure 7 it will be noted that: (a) the member 3 0 clips on to the member 10 by engagement of the formations 42 with the formations 22 or 23, (b) the head 38 of the T-rail 34 on the member 30 supports the glass pane 62, (c) the ends 52 of the cross-pieces 50 on the members 46 engage with the base of the T-rail 34, (d) the ends 54 of the cross-pieces 50 resiliently engage with the glass pane 62, (e) the shoulders 5 8 on the members 46 abut the shoulders 2 1 c of the member 10 and the outer horizontal ends of the members 46 abut the faces 2 1 b of the members 10, so that the faces 2 1 b and 2 1 c form stops determining accurately the positioning of the members 46 in both the horizontal and vertical directions, and (f) the formations 60 resiliently engage the surfaces 2 1 g of the formations 21 which surfaces provide reaction forces to draw the members 46 inwardly until movement is limited by the stops 2 1 b and 2 1 c.

Figure 4 represents a section of a fourth elongate member 70 suitable for association with the primary member 10 in a double-glazed partitioning system as best seen in Figure 8. The member 70, which is symmetrical about a central vertical axis, not shown, comprises a horizontal base portion 72 whose ends terminate in vertical sterns 74 leading to outwardly directed horizontal shoulders 76. Extending from the shoulders 76 are vertical portions 78 carrying at their ends outwardly extending, spaced, projections 84, 86, and continuing with canted portions 80 which terminate in fifth clipping formations 82 arranged to engage in a snap- fit manner with formations 22 or 23 on the primary member 10.

Figure 5 represents opposite end views of a section of a fiffi elongate member 90 for association with the first and fourth elongate members 10 and 70 of Figures 1 and 4. It diffrs from the member 46 of Figure 3 only in that its horizontal portion 91 is shorter than the corresponding portion 48 of Figure 3. Otherwise it is provided with similar crosspieces 50 and formations 60 as in Figure 3 and will not, therefore, be further described.

A pair of fifth elongate members 90 with the disposition shown, together with a fourth elongate member 70 can be used to effect double-glazing on either side of a first elongate member 10 as shown in Figure 8. It will be noted that: (a) the fourth elongate member 70 clips on to the primary member 10 by the formations 82 engaging the formations 22 or 23, (b) the shoulders 76 support glass panes 62, (c) the ends 52 of cross-pieces 50 on the members 90 engage between projections 84, 86 on the member 70, (d) the ends 54 of cross-pieces 50 engage with 7 f the glass, and (e) the length of the portion 91 of the member 90 is so chosen that the formations 60 engage the formations 21 in a snap-fit manner, and the surfaces 2 1 g act on the members 90 to hold these against the stops 2 1 b and 21 c. It will be appreciated that for double- glazing in which the glass panes are to be closer together, a modified member 90 could be provided in which the base portion 72 is shorter and the portions 80 are vertical or even canted outwardly.

Figure 6 represents a section of a sixth elongate member 100 comprising a door frame member which may be associated with the primary member 10. The member 100 comprises a sinuous portion 10 1 between extreme ends 108, part of the sinuous portion being formed by linear parts. The portion 10 1 is shaped to receive a door, the ends of the portion 10 1 being provided with resilient formations 102 having outer portions 103 disposed as to be engaged with the surfaces 2 1 g of the formations 21 on the first member 10 in a snap-fit manner. The member 100 also provides a recess 104 for a door hinge and/or seal, and a further recess 105 for receiving an acoustic seal. It also provides shoulders 106 for abutting shoulders 2 1 c of member 10 and the extreme ends 108 abut faces 21b on the member 10. Figures9and10 show the association of members 10 and 100 when fitted together. It will be appreciated that the surfaces 2 1 g hold the door frame member 100 in position and the faces 2 1 b and 2 1 c provide for accurate location of the door frame member 100 with respect to the member 10 in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

Figure 11 shows a standard elongate releasable flexible seal or gasket 110 formed from rubber or other flexible material and having the section shown. The section includes a recess 112 suitable to receive the projection 2 1 d on the member 10, and portions 113, 114 to provide wedge action to retain a glass pane Figure 12 shows a section of a seventh elongate member 120 which is symmetrical about a vertical axis G-G'. The member 120 comprises a horizontal linear portion 122 from one side of which extend vertical legs 124 equidistant from the axis G-G'. The legs terminate in resilient formations 126 so disposed as to engage in a snap-fit manner with the formations 22 or 23 on the primary member 10. Also disposed on the portion 122 and nearer to its ends 12 8 are further vertical legs 130 which are on the same side as the legs 124 but are shorter in 8 length. Each leg 130 is provided to define with the linear portion 122 and an adjacent pane of glass a three-sided recess which in use may accommodate a steel, fire-rating member.

Figure 13 discloses a section of an eighth elongate member 140 which is usable with a first member 10 and a gasket 110 to effect offset singleglazing. The member 140 is similar to the member 120, having a horizontal linear portion 142, legs 144 terminating in formations 146, and on one side a short vertical leg 150 near the end 148. However, on the other side the linear portion 142 is extended to an end 152 and there is no short vertical leg.

The elongate members 120 and 140 may be used in glazing systems in association with the first elongate member 10. As shown best in Figure 14, 15 and 16 a member 120 may be fitted on formations 22, 23, of a member 10 and glass panes 62 supported between its ends 128 and gaskets 110 whose recesses 112 fit over the projections 2 1 d on the member 10. This arrangement provides double glazing. Figure 14 shows double glazing on both sides of a first elongate member 10. Figure 15 shows double glazing on one side of a member 10 and a door section 100 on the other side. Figure 16 shows an arrangement with double glazing on one side of a member 10, whilst on the other side plaster boards 160 associated with a track member 162 are fitted.

Offset single-glazing is provided using a member 140 in association with a member 10. In this case the end 152 of the extended side of the portion 141 rests on the shoulder 2 1 c of the member 1 as best seen in Figure 17. Figure 17 shows off-set single glazing on both sides of a member 10. Figures 18 shows off-set single glazing on one side of a member 10 and a door section 100 on the other. Figure 19 differs in that plaster boards 160 and a track member 162 replace the door member 100.

The arrangements of Figures 20 and 21 may be seen to be the same as Figures 9 and 10 except that plaster boards 160 and track members 162 replace the door section 100.

Clearly modifications of the components described herein may be provided without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, a blanking or infill member may be provided by extending both sides of the member 140 instead ofjust one. In this case the ends 152 would rest on the shoulders 2 1 c of both formations 21 at opposite ends of the member 10. It will be 9 appreciated that for this member, as for the member 140, the faces 2 1 b and 2 1 c on the member 10 provide stops for accurate positioning in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

Apart from the gaskets 110, which are of rubber or other flexible material suitable to form a seal, the members described above may be made as extrusions of aluminium, aluminium alloy or plastics material as required.

Metal, for example, steel, members for may be provided as appropriate in all the Figures 7 through to 10, and 14 through to 2 1, so as to provide fire rating qualities for the various arrangements. For example, Figure 22 shows the arrangement of Figure 17 when provided with steel fire rating members 362 and 364. These are steel members of L-shaped cross- section disposed with one limb of the L adjacent the glass pane and the other limb adjacent the cross-bar of the member 10. Figure 23 shows the arrangement of Figure 18 when provided with steel rating members, and in this case, in addition to the members 362, 364, a further steel rating member 368 of top-hat-shaped cross-section is disposed behind the door frame member 100. In each case it will be noted that steel plate is provided parallel to the glass, and hence to the length of the partition, across substantially the whole of the interior space of the system.

It will be appreciated that the partitioning systems disclosed herein are demountable in so far as all infill members such as glass and plasterboard and all fire rating steel members can be installed, removed or replaced by the unclipping of secondary members without disturbing the primary members 10.

The Applicant's reference for this Application is MBR 9702 (Serial No).

Attention is directed to the Applicant's other Applications of even date with the references NEHR9701 (Serial No) and NM 9703 (Serial No).

Claims

1. A partitioning element for a partitioning systern comprising an elongate member having a cross section perpendicular to the length comprising two parallel legs (13) equally spaced from a parallel centre axis and interconnected by and extending on the same side from a crossbar (16), the ends of the legs being provided with similar clipping formations (2 1) suitable to engage in snap-fit manner with co-operating formations of an associated elongate member, each clipping formation being provided with a vertical surface (2 1 b) parallel to the parallel legs (13) suitable to act as a horizontal stop, a horizontal surface (2 1 c) parallel to the cross-bar (16) suitable to act as a vertical stop, a projection (2 ld) suitable to receive a slotted gasket, and a reaction surface (2 1 g) providing a reaction force directed generally towards the cross-bar (16).

2. A partitioning element for a partitioning system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein each clipping formation (2 1) is provided with the following features, starting from an outer extremity: (a) an upper surface (2 1 a) perpendicular to the leg (13), (b) a vertical face (2 1 b) which may act as a horizontal stop, (c) a horizontal shoulder (2 1 c) which may act as a vertical stop, (d) a projection (2 1 d) bounded by the shoulder (2 1 c) an intermediate surface (2 1 h) and a lower horizontal face (2 1 e) and suitable to receive to receive a slotted gasket, (e) a sloping surface (2 If) facing generally away from the cross-bar (16), and (f) a nonhorizontal, non-vertical planar sloping surface (21 g) facing generally towards the cross-bar (16).

3. A partitioning element as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the reaction surface is a curved surface.