GB2318812A

GB2318812A - Partitioning system

Info

Publication number: GB2318812A
Application number: GB9721006A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence Bradley
Original assignee: KOMFORT SYSTEMS Ltd
Current assignee: KOMFORT SYSTEMS Ltd
Priority date: 1996-10-31
Filing date: 1997-10-06
Publication date: 1998-05-06
Anticipated expiration: 2017-10-06
Also published as: GB2318812B; GB9721006D0; GB9622702D0

Abstract

A partitioning system comprises a top strut 18 and a bottom strut 16 affixable to a ceiling 14 and floor 12 respectively, at least one strut being associated with a U -section support 22,24 into the channel of which the strut extends so as to permit mutual vertical displacement, and at least one panel 28 attached to the U -section members, the arrangement being such that the system allows for variation in the floor-to-ceiling distance. Channels 64 for cables 48, with detachable covers may be provided as shown; a door seal for the partitioning is also disclosed. (Fig. 5, not shown).

Description

PARTITIONING SYSTEM The present invention relates to a partitioning system.

Partitioning systems as such are well known and are commonly used to sub-divide a large area into (for example) offices of a more convenient size. It is common for partitions to be installed in accommodation that has been rented or leased, and therefore the installation will normally take place after construction of the building. Therefore, the installer of the partitioning system will have no control over the environment in which installation is to take place, and generally will not be free to make structural alterations.

The partition wall is usually of plasterboard or similar material, or glass. This is supported at its top and bottom edges by channel sections fixed to the ceiling and floor, and at its lateral edges by vertical struts.

A problem often encountered in this context is that the floor and ceiling are not always necessarily perfectly parallel. This means that whilst the partitioning panel is sized to fit the top and bottom channel sections at one end of the partition wall, it does not fit at the other. It would be possible to form partitioning sections with non-parallel top and bottom edges in order to compensate, but this would be extremely difficult and complex to instal. Normally what happens is that the installer simply fits the panels as best he can and ensures that the retention in the top and bottom channels is as good as can be expected in the circumstances. This will inevitably compromise the partition structure and render the installation process lengthy and difficult.

It is also common for electrical and electronic services such as power points, telephones, computer networks etc. to be installed simultaneously.

To date, common methods for the installation of such services include unsightly options such as laying trunking on surface walls and expensive options such as raised floor systems which permit cables to be laid between the true floor and the raised floor.

The present invention therefore provides, in its first aspect, a partitioning system comprising a top strut and a bottom strut affixable to a ceiling and a floor respectively in a substantially vertically aligned relationship, and at least one partition panel, at least one of the top and bottom struts being associated with a U-profile support member into the channel of which that strut at least partially extends thereby to permit mutual vertical displacement and to an outside face of which is attached the partition panel, the strut and associated support member being mutually locatable at a plurality of positions thereby to support the panel at any one of a plurality of selectable heights.

Preferably, both the top and bottom struts are associated with a Uprofile support member as above.

More preferably, there are two part partition panels, one either side of the top and bottom strut, i.e. one affixed to either outside face of the support member.

One or both of the strut and support member can be ribbed on the mutually engaging faces thereby to provide more positive engagement and support. The ribbings can be as simple as a single longitudinal protrusion on one face resting in one or more channels on the other, or vice versa, or can be a series of serrations on one or other faces.

In its second aspect, the present invention provides a partitioning system comprising a support member along the lower edge thereof, having a plurality of longitudinal recesses formed on an outer face thereof for receiving cables, together with at least one engagement member, the aforesaid being in combination with an elongate cover strip including at least one corresponding engagement member for interengagement therewith.

Preferably, there are three or more recesses to accommodate a corresponding number of cables. Three is a convenient number since this then caters for power, telecommunications, and computer network cables.

The engagement member of the support member is preferably a recess into which engages a tongue being the engagement member of the elongate cover strip. This enables the cover strip to be fitted without its engagement member fouling a cable placed in an adjacent recess.

The support member preferably defines an internal space which will then be hollow. This internal space is preferably filled by a wooden body, which may be solid, hard or soft wood or a wood derivative product such as medium density fibreboard. Such a wooden filler provides sound insulation in all circumstances and enhances the structural rigidity of the system in case of fire. For ease of extrusion of the support member, the internal space is more preferably defined by three sides of the support and by the floor on the fourth side.

In its third aspect, the present invention provides a door seal for use in the door frame of such a partitioning system. The door seal is particularly applicable to sealing doors with a rounded or chamfered vertical edge, but is applicable to other doors. Thus, the present invention provides a sealing strip comprising a first elongate engagement member adapted to extend into a corresponding recess, a pair of divergent sealing flaps extending rearwardly therefrom, and a sealing strip extending laterally from one of the sealing flaps.

In a preferred version, the sealing strips diverge at an angle of between 500 and 1 500, which allows the sealant strip as a whole to fit into a corner into which the door closes.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which; Figure 1 is a vertical section through a partition panel according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a vertical section similar to that of Figure 1 showing the bottom strut and cover strip in more detail; Figure 3 is a vertical section through a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a vertical section similar to that of figures 1-3 showing in detail an alternative support for the panel 28; and Figure 5 is a horizontal section through a door frame seal according to the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, a partition wall generally designated as 10 is fitted between a floor 12 and a ceiling 14. A bottom strut 1 6 of extruded aluminium rests on the floor 1 2 along the line of the partition 1 0. Similarly, a top strut 18 is attached to a ceiling 14 by attachment means such as screws (not shown). From the outside, the top and bottom struts are generally rectangular in profile. Internaily, the struts are substantially hollow for ease of extrusion and to avoid material wastage. Each strut has an internal steei stiffening member 20 for additional mechanical strength.

Each of the struts 16, 18 is fitted with a support member 22, 24 respectively. Each support member 22, 24 is generally shaped into a rectangular U-profile so as to fit over the generally rectangular exterior face of the relevant strut 1 6, 1 8. At the extremities of the U-profile, the edge of the support member 22 is formed into rounded reverse-directed lip such as that shown at 26. The support members 22, 24 can slide vertically on the exterior of the struts 16, 18, and this therefore provides a measure of variability in the vertical distance between the two support members 22, 24.

The partition itself is formed of a pair of plasterboard panels 28. Each has an edge strip 30 affixed to the edge of the panel, which is primarily a damage-resistant cover for the plasterboard edge but it also comprises a protruding lip 32 along one corner.

The plasterboard panel 28 is fitted in place by resting the lip 32 of the lower edge into a lip 26 of the lower support member 22. The panel 28 can then brought to the vertical and the corresponding lip 32 of the upper edge engaged in the vertically corresponding lip 26 of the upper support member 24.

The second plasterboard panel is then fitted in a like fashion onto the other side of the top and bottom struts 16, 18.

Because these support members 22, 24, in particular the upper support member 24, are able to slide vertically with respect to the corresponding struts 16, 18, small irregularities in the height of the ceiling 14 with respect to the floor 1 2 can be accommodated without compromising the integrity of the structure as a whole or causing any further difficulties in assembly.

The lower strut 16 is able to retain cables, as will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 which shows the main elements of the lower strut 1 6 in more detail. It can be seen that the lower half of the lower strut 16 comprises a pair of vertical support walls 34, 36 which rest on the floor 12 and support a horizontal plate 38. The plate 38 extends horizontally beyond the width of the support walls 34, 36 and from the edge of the plate 38 a pair of side walls 40, 42 extend upwardly. These side walls define the external faces onto which the support member 22 fits.

An engagement member 44 extends generally horizontally from each of the support walls 34, 36. This engagement member 44 comprises a pair of flanges incorporating a slight bulge. Above the engagement member 44 is a small dividing wall 46 which again extends horizontally. Neither the engagement member 44 nor the dividing wall 46 extend outward beyond the extent of the horizontal plate 38. The region outside the support wall 34 or 36 and beneath the horizontal plate 38 is therefore sub-divided into three horizontally running channels, into which can be inserted cables such as that shown in Figure 1 as 48.

A cover strip 50 is provided, which comprises a generally flat facing member 52 from the rear of which extends a generally horizontal tongue 54 including an outward bulge 56 which clips into place in the bulge of the engagement means 44. This then serves to retain the cover strip 50 in place. The cover strip 50 is dimensioned so that when in place it is substantially aligned with the side walls 40 or 42, thus providing a neat external appearance. This alignment is assisted by a lip 58 which extends downwardly from the lower face of the planar member 38 and by a horizontally extending lower wall 60 which extends from the bottom of the support wall 34 or 36, which each serve as back stop for the cover plate 50.

Finally, on the rear face of cover plate 50 are small tangs which snap into place behind the lip 58 and the corner of the lower wall 60.

Figure 1 further shows an optional retainer clip 64 which sits in recess defined by engagement portion 44 and replicates the bulge therein. The tongue 54 then extends into the retainer clip 64 and is held in place more firmly by virtue of its spring steel construction.

Figure 3 shows an alternative form of panel, but which operates according to the same principle. In this form, the upper and lower struts 16, 1 8 are substantially identical, but the plasterboard panel 28 is replaced with a glazing panel 64. The edge strips 66 are necessarily different from those shown in Figure 1, but work according to a similar principle. Figure 3 also shows an upper support member 68 comprising a recess which extends into a hollow part of the upper strut 18. This recess can be used to accommodate a venetian blind mechanism, often called for in double glazed partitions. When not so occupied, the recess can be covered with a cover strip 70 such as that used to conceal the cables 48. In the embodiment of Figure 7, the cover strip 70 is retained only by the tangs 62.

In the embodiment of Figure 3, the glass panes 64 are supplied to the installer fitted with the edge strips 66. The installer can then fit the upper and lower struts 18, 1 6 and then place the support members 68, 69 in place. The upper strut 68 is retained in place by a small ridge 71 on each inner face which engages in a corresponding recess on each outer face of the upper strut 18. This is sufficient to hold the support member 68 in place until installation is complete. The first pane 64 is then fitted by engaging an edge of the edge strip 66 in the lip 26 of the upper support member 68 and rotating the pane 64 until vertical, whereupon the edge of the lower edge strip 66 engages in a catch 73 on the lip 26 of the lower support member 69. In the vertical position, a ridge 75 on each outer face of the support member 68 falls into a corresponding recess in the upper edge strip 66. The remaining pane 64 is then installed in like manner, during which time the ridge 75 ensures that the first pane 64 is not accidentally released by upward movement of the upper support member 68.

In both the embodiments of Figures 1 and 3, the lower strut 16 comprises a hollow space beneath the flat panel 38 and bounded on either side by the support struts 34, 36. In preferred versions, as shown in Figure 3, a wooden block is placed in that space. This provides additional soundproofing, and offers further mechanical support. This mechanical support may be particularly useful during a fire in which the aluminium extruded parts may soften. Hence, this wooden block 72 can contribute towards the fire-resistance of the wall.

A similar wooden element could also be fitted in the equivalent space in the upper strut 18.

Figure 4 shows an alternative form of support for the panel 28.

Instead of the lip 26 shown in figure 1, the lower support member is formed with a bifurcated edge. The panel 28 is then rested on the top flange 80 thereof. To retain the panel in position, an angle bracket 82 is then pressed into place with one edge inserted horizontally into the bifurcation, ie gripped between the top flange 80 and bottom flange 84, and the other edge extending vertically upwardly alongside the outer face of the panel 28. The inner faces of the upper and lower flanges 80, 84, or the outer faces of the horizontal edge of the angle bracket 82, or both, can be formed with protrusions to assist the gripping action. This retention arrangement leads to greater ease of installation of the system.

Figure 5 shows a horizontal cross-section through a door frame according to another aspect of the invention. Much of the door frame is irrelevant to the invention, and is shown for illustration only. What is important is that a vertical frame strut 100 is formed around a door 110, the edge of which is shown. The front edge of the door 110 is chamfered to a smooth curve at 112 and the door frame 100 has a corresponding corner 11 4 into which the door 110 fits.

At the apex of that corner 114 is a recess 116. A door seal 11 8 is held in the corner 114 by a retention strip 120 which engages in the recess 11 6 via a pair of reverse-directed barbs 122 formed on the outer surfaces of the strip 120. In an alternative construction, the reverse-directed barbs could be formed on the interior faces of the recess 116. As a further alternative, barbs could be provided on both pairs of faces.

The seal 118 also comprises a pair of divergent sealing flaps 124, 126 which join at an intersection from which extends the engagement strip 120.

The sealing flaps once installed lie against surfaces of the door frame 100 at the end. From the sealing flap 124 extends at roughly right-angles a sealing strip 128. Thus, when the door 110 is pressed toward the corner 114, the sealing strip 128 will contact the door 110. Hence it and the sealing flap 124 will create a seal between the door 110 and the frame 100.

The seal 11 8 is preferably made of a resiliently deformable flexible material such as an appropriate plastics. Such materials are well known in the art.

A brush seal 130 is also provided for additional sealing, for example whilst the door 110 is not fully closed.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the field that the above description is by way of example only, and that many variations to the examples could be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A partitioning system comprising a top strut and a bottom strut affixable to a ceiling and a floor respectively in a substantially vertically aligned relationship, and at least one partition panel, at least one of the top and bottom struts being associated with a U-profile support member into the channel of which that strut at least partially extends thereby to permit mutual vertical displacement and to an outside face of which is attached the partition panel, the strut and associated support member being mutually locatable at a plurality of positions thereby to support the panel at any one of a plurality of selectable heights.

2. A partitioning system according to claim 1 wherein both the top and bottom struts are associated with a U-profile support member.

3. A partitioning system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein there are two partition panels, one either side of the top and bottom strut.

4. A partitioning panel according to any preceeding claim wherein one or both of the strut and support member are ribbed on the mutually engaging faces.

5. A partitioning panel according to claim 5 wherein the ribbings comprise at least one longitudinal protrusion on one face resting in one or more channels on the other, or vice versa.

6. A partitioning panel according to claim 5 wherein the ribbings comprise a series of serrations on one or other faces.

7. A partitioning system comprising a support member along the lower edge thereof, having a plurality of longitudinal recesses formed on an outer face thereof for receiving cables, together with at least one engagement member, the aforesaid being in combination with an elongate cover strip including at least one corresponding engagement member for interengagement therewith.

8. A partitioning panel according to claim 7 wherein there are three or more recesses to accommodate a corresponding number of cables.

9. A partitioning panel according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the engagement member of the support member is a recess into which engages a tongue being the engagement member of the elongate cover strip.

10. A partitioning panel according to any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein the support member defines an internal space.

11. A partitioning panle according to claim 10 wherein the internal space is filled by a wooden body.

12. A partitioning panel according to claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the internal space is defined on three sides by the support and by the floor on the fourth side.

1 3. A sealing strip for a door or window frame comprising a first elongate engagement member adapted to extend into a corresponding recess, a pair of divergent sealing flaps extending rearwardly therefrom, and a sealing strip extending laterally from one of the sealing flaps.

14. A sealing strip according to claim 1 3 wherein the sealing strips diverge at an angle of between 50 and 150 .

1 5. A partitioning panel or sub-component thereof substantially as any one herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.