GB2319792A

GB2319792A - Screens, e.g. room dividers

Info

Publication number: GB2319792A
Application number: GB9724948A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hamilton Smyth Patterson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-11-28
Filing date: 1997-11-27
Publication date: 1998-06-03
Also published as: GB9724948D0

Abstract

A screen structure comprises a frame having two components (10, 12). Each component comprises two longitudinals (14) which are normally upright in use, and transverse to which a number of slats (16) are connected by welding, rivets, screws or other suitable means, and a number of panels (20) are connected to the slats by screws or other suitable means. The longitudinals (14) on the two components (10, 12) are displaced relative to each other so that when the components are connected together the longitudinals lie adjacent each other in side-by-side relationship. Several structures may be placed together to form an assembly. The structure may be used as a room divider or partition, for example, in offices.

Description

SCREEN STRUCTURES This invention relates to screen structures, including room dividers and partitions, primarily but not exclusively for use in offices to create partially or fully defined areas for use, for example, in which to install work stations or to serve as passage(s).

According to the present invention, there is provided a screen structure having a frame comprising two similar components secured together, each component having at least two spaced apart elongate members and a series of spaced apart transverse members secured to the elongate members, and one or more panels of combined areal extent similar to that defined by the members supported on the transverse members.

A preferred embodiment of the invention may comprise any one or more of the following features. A capping member may be connected to the top of the frame. A side member may be connected to each elongate member to close off each outer side. Each capping member and side member may be connected by means of clips. The transverse members may be secured to the elongate members by welding, rivets, screws or any other suitable means. A bottom transverse member may be fitted at the lower end (in normal use) of the elongate members. The elongate members of one component may be offset in relation to the elongate members of the other component of the frame so that adjacent elongate members of the two components lie side by side in the frame. The appearance of the frame on each major face may be the same. The number of panels fitted to each component preferably determines the number of transverse members and abutting edges of two adjacent panels are advantageously aligned with a transverse member. Two or more screen structures may be assembled together to produce a screen structure assembly. A single capping member advantageously extends along the top, in normal use, of all the frames of such an assembly. Respective bottom members may be provided for respective frames. In such an assembly, side members are only provided at the outer lateral edges of the overall assembly.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view from above of a partial screen structure, Figure 2 is a perspective view from below of the screen structure assembled from the parts shown in figure 1, Figure 3 is a perspective view from above of the screen structure shown in figure 2, Figure 4 is a side view of the screen structure in the direction of arrow "A" of figure 3, Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a modified partial screen structure, and Figure 6 is a cross section of one of the transverse members of the structure of figure 5.

Referring to figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, the screen structure has a frame constructed from two similar components 10, 12. Each component 10, 1 2 has at least two spaced-apart elongate members forming longitudinals 14 of tubular cross-section which in use serve as uprights.

Transverse of the longitudinals 14, a series of transverse members in the form of vertically-spaced slats 16 are secured. Each slat 16 is of top hat cross-section with the top secured to the longitudinals 14 and the rims 18 spaced outwardly therefrom. Each component 10, 12 supports one or more panels 20 of combined areal extent similar to areal extent of the longitudinals 14 and slats 16. Component 10 of the frame has a bottom member 22 fitted to the bottom of the longitudinals 14. Two feet 30 for height-adjustable fitment to the bottom member 32 are provided, one near each end of the member 32. A capping member 24 is fitted to the top of the longitudinals 14. Two side members 26 are provided to close off each outer lateral side of the frame. Each side member 26 has a plate 32 with a spar 34 secured thereto, the spar 34 being of similar length to a longitudinal 14, and is secured by a bolt 36 being provided near to the top and bottom ends, each bolt 36 being sufficient in length to pass through aligned apertures in the side-by-side longitudinals 14 and be secured by a nut (not shown).

A top comer piece 28 is provided for positioning between the capping member 24 and the side member 26.

The longitudinals 14 of one component 12 of the frame are offset in their relationship to the respective slats 16 compared to the longitudinals 14 of the other component 10 of the frame whereby the longitudinals 14 of both components 10, 12, lie side-by-side in the frame.

Means to secure the two components 10, 12 together are provided in the form of bolts and nuts (not shown).

The appearance of the frame on each major face is the same. The number of panels 20 required to be fitted to each component 10, 12 determines the number of intermediate slats 16 to be secured to the longitudinals 14. One intermediate slat 16 is provided to be aligned with abutting transverse edges of two adjacent panels 20. Each panel 20 is secured to the frame from the reverse by screws passing through holes in the rim. The panels 20 may be of different depths, for example, one may be a multiple of the depth of each of the others as shown in the drawings.

In the example shown, each panel 20 or "brick" is provided with tapered or recessed edges.

Each slat 16 is secured by keyholes being provided therein at locations aligned with the longitudinals 14 with the slat 16 being welded to the longitudinals around the edges of said keyholes.

Referring to figure 5 and 6, a modified screen structure is shown. In these figures parts equivalent to the parts of the embodiments of figures 1 to 4 bear the same reference numerals. In this modified structure the frame comprises two components as before, but only one 10 of these is shown for clarity. Each component 10 comprises two elongate members forming longitudinals 14 of tubular cross-section which in use normally serve as uprights. Transverse of the longitudinals 14, a series of transverse members in the form of vertically-spaced slats 16 are secured. Each slat 16 has a cross-section of the form shown in figure 6. As compared with the simple top-hat cross-section of the slats 16 of the embodiment of figures 1 to 4, this modified top-hat cross-section shown in figure 6 provides additional rigidity and enables bottom member 22 and rectangular tube member 24 directly beneath capping member 24 to be dispensed with.

The slats 16 are fixed to the longitudinals 14 by means of rivets 40 and screws 42. A capping member 24 is secured to the uppermost slat 16 by means of clips (not shown) spaced along the length of the member. Side members (also not shown) similar to the side members 26 of the embodiment of figures 1 to 4 are connected by means of clips spaced along the length of the members to respective longitudinals 14. Spars 34 of the embodiment of figures 1 to 4 are dispensed with. As in this latter embodiment, the two components 10, 12 are secured together by bolts and nuts (not shown) and panels 20, which may vary in depth as shown, are secured to the frame on opposite sides respectively from the reverse by means of screws passing through holes in the rim. The lowermost panel 20 comprises a kicker board. As compared with the welded arrangement of the first embodiment, the rivetted and screwed arrangement of this second embodiment facilitates manufacture, transportation and assembly. In other respects this second embodiment is the same as the first.

A screen structure is used with one or more of its kind in an assembly with each screen structure having its own bottom member 22 (in the case of the embodiment of figures 1 to 4) and with the. top of the assembly having a combined capping member 24 for each top length thereof and each outer lateral edge of the assembly having a side member 26. The height of the screen structures in an assembly may differ, preferably in a multiple of the number of panels 20 in the other screen structures. Screen structures are free standing but may additionally be secured to a wall.

Variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention described above.

Claims

1. A screen structure having a frame comprising two similar components secured together, each component having at least two spaced apart elongate members and a series of spaced apart transverse members secured to the elongate members, and one or more panels of combined areal extent similar to that defined by the members supported on the transverse members.

2. A screen structure as claimed in claim 1, in which a capping member is connected to the top (in normal use) of the frame.

3. A screen structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which a side member is connected to each elongate member to close off each outer side.

4. A screen structure as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which each capping member and side member is connected by means of clips.

5. A screen structure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the transverse members are secured to the elongate members by welding.

6. A screen structure as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, in which the transverse members are secured to the elongate members by rivets and screws.

7. A screen structure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a bottom transverse member is fitted at the lower end (in normal use) of the elongate members.

8. A screen structure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the elongate members of one component are offset in relation to the elongate members of the other component of the frame so that adjacent elongate members of the two components lie side-by-side in the frame.

9. A screen structure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the appearance of the frame on each major face is the same.

10. A screen structure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the number of panels fitted to each component determines the number of transverse members.

11. A screen structure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which abutting edges of two adjacent panels are aligned with a transverse member.

12. A screen structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 to 4 or figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A screen structure assembly comprising two or more screen structures as claimed in any preceding claim.

14. A screen structure assembly as claimed in claim 13, in which a single capping member extends along the top (in normal use) of all the frames.

15. A screen structure assembly as claimed in claim 13 or 14, in which respective bottom members are provided for respective frames.

16. A screen structure assembly as claimed in claim 13, 14 or 15, in which side members are only connected to The outer elongate members of the assembly.