GB2322881A - Adjustable panelling - Google Patents

Abstract

Panelling for use as a noise barrier along a road or as a security barrier around a building site comprises posts (2,51) and panels (3,52) capable of being clamped to the posts at a number of different angles. The panels may be supported via plates (14,17) fixed to their edges and held against the posts by rotatable locks (7), or via plates (77,78) with tubular edges (72,73) gripped by clamping plates (60), locked in place by camming plates (75) with diagonal slots.

Description

"IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO A PANELLING ARRANGEMENT" THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a panelling arrangement, and more particularly relates to a panelling arrangement comprising one or more panels connected to a series of posts.

It has been proposed previously to provide a panelling arrangement for use as a barrier. Barriers of this type may have a number of uses. For example, a barrier may be provided at the side of a road to deflect noise, or may be provided at the perimeter of a building site for security. A barrier may also be located at selected positions within the building or structure to limit noise and dust pollution during building works.

A typical panelling arrangement comprises a plurality of panels mounted on a series of vertical posts. Typically, the posts have axially extending channels formed in two opposed sides. The panels are mounted in position with the edges of each panel being accommodated in the channels provided on two adjacent posts.

The alignment of two panels mounted on opposite sides of a single post is dependant upon the orientation of the channels in the post.

Typically, the channels are directly opposed to each other, and consequently using an arrangement of this type, whilst it is easy to create a panelling arrangement in which successive panels are precisely aligned with each other, (or at a specific predetermined angle if "special" posts are used), it is difficult to use this system in a flexible manner to make the panelling conform to the configuration of the perimeter of a building site or to conform to the edge of a road.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved panelling arrangement.

According to this invention there is provided A panelling arrangement, the panelling arrangement comprising at least one post and at least one panel to be carried by the post, the post and the panel each being provided with respective co-operating engagement means, the engagement means being adapted, when engaged, to permit the panel to be selectively orientated relative to the post by rotating the panel about a vertical axis adjacent an edge of the panel, there being locking means to lock said engagement means at any selected orientation of the panel relative to the post, preventing firther movement of the panel relative to the post.

Preferably the engagement means carried by the post or the engagement means carried by the panel comprise a portion of substantially acrcuate crosssection adapted to engage the other of said engagement means.

Conveniently said other engagement means comprises a portion of corresponding arcuate cross-section, the portions being of substantially identical radius of curvature and being one portion being concave, the other portion being convex.

Advantageously the post carries two of said engagement means adapted to engage with engagement means carried by two panels.

In one embodiment the engagement means carried by the post comprise the portion of arcuate cross-section of convex form and the engagement means carried by the panel comprise a portion of arcuate cross-section of concave form.

Preferably the engagement means on the post comprise an integrally portion of the post defining a convex position.

Conveniently a channel is defined in the post, the portion of arcuate cross-section of convex form being defined by a lip of the channel.

Preferably the channel extends longitudinally along the post forming a re-entrant portion in one side of the post, the re-entrant portion being symmetrical and the channel defining two lips, each lip comprising a said portion of arcuate cross-section of convex form.

Advantageously the engagement means present on the panel are carried by a flange which is secured to the panel.

Conveniently the flange comprises a substantially flat plate provided with means to secure the flange to the panel, the plate carrying a protruding portion which is configured to present a portion of arcuate cross-section of concave form.

Preferably the said portion of concave form terminates with an outwardly deflected terminal portion.

Advantageously the locking means comprise a rotatable element secured to the post, the locking means being movable to a locking position in which the locking means bias the portion of arcuate cross-section carried by the flange against the portion of arcuate cross-section of convex form defined on the post.

Preferably the locking means comprise a rotatable element carrying resilient portions, the rotatable element being movable from a position in which the resilient portions do not contact the engagement means to a position which the resilient portions do contact the engagement means and bias the engagement means carried by the panel into contact with the engagement means carried by the post.

Advantageously each resilient portion is provided with a curved leading edge which creates a convex cam surface adapted initially to contact the engagement means carried by the panel.

Conveniently the locking means is provided with drive means and a tool is provided having co-operating drive means, the drive means of the tool being engageable with the drive means of the rotatable member so that the tool may be utilised to rotate the rotatable member.

Advantageously the drive means comprise one or more projections carried by one element and one or more recesses, to accommodate the projections, carried by the other elements.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention the engagement means carried by the post comprise a portion of arcuate cross-section of concave form and the engagement mean carried by the panel comprise a portion of arcuate crosssection of concave form.

Advantageously the engagement mean carried by the post comprises an inwardly curved formation having an arcuate extent of approximately 90 degrees.

Conveniently the engagement means carried by the panel comprise a flange carrying tubular means.

Preferably the locking means comprise a clamping plate adapted to clamp the engagement mean carried by the panel against the engagement means carried by the post, retaining means being provided to retain the clamp in the clamping position.

Advantageously the retaining means comprise a plate having a linear edge adapted to engage the clamping plate and having an edge inclined to the linear edge, the said edge inclined to the linear edge engaging abutment means so that movement of the plate causes the clamping plate to be urged into a clamping position.

Preferably the retaining means comprises a vertical plate of substantially rectangular form having a diagonal slot therein, the diagonal slot receiving a horizontally extending guide pin, the guide pin being mounted in position adjacent a front face of the post.

In order that theinvention maybe more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, embodiments of the invention will now b described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a front view of a part of a panelling arrangement in accordance with the invention, FIGURE 2 is a cross-section of the panelling arrangement along the line AA in Figure 1, another configuration thereof being shown in phantom, FIGURE 3 is a perspective view from one direction of a portion of the panelling arrangement; FIGURE 4 is another perspective view from the opposite direction showing the other side of the portion shown in Figure 3; FIGURE 5 is a front view of a panelling arrangement, corresponding to Figure 1, in a different configuration; FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a panelling arrangement of the type illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 incorporating a plurality of panels.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a component used in conjunction with panelling arrangements of Figures 1 to 6; FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of part of an alternative form of panelling arrangement in accordance with the invention; and FIGURE 9 is an enlarged view of some components of the panelling arrangement of Figure 8.

Referring initially to Figure 1, the illustrated part of the panelling arrangement 1 comprises a vertical elongate post 2, two panels 3,4 each carrying a respective flange 5,6 and a rotatable lock 7 which is rotatably connected to the post.

Referring now to Figure 2, the post 2 is a substantially square crosssection hollow member of rolled steel or extruded aluminium. The post has a re-entrant portion on one side forming a longitudinally extending channel 8.

The re-entrant portion is symmetrical and has a flat base portion 9 flanked by two outwardly directed planar sections 10,11 which merge with two opposed inwardly directed, rounded lips 12,13 which in turn merge with two opposed side walls of the square cross-section member. Thus, the interior of the channel 8 has a wide inner region and a narrower neck portion defined by the lips 12,13 which connect the inner region of the channel with the exterior of the post. The rounded lips 12,13 have a substantially constant radius of curvature.

The rounded lips thus present an element which, in cross-section, has a substantial arcuate extent of substantially uniformed radius of curvature as can be seen from Figure 2.

The panels 3,4 may be solid or may be grills or sections of fencing. The panels may be made from wood, profiled steel or extruded aluminium. Each panel carries at least one flange 5 which projects beyond the end of the panel and which serves to connect the panel to the post.

A first flange 5 is formed from an initially flat strip of metal and comprises a flat plate 14 which is connected to a first panel 3. Part of the strip is bent or rolled back on itself to form a rounded portion 15. The inner radius of curvature of the rounded portion 15 is substantially identical to the outer radius of curvature of the rounded lips 12,13. The rounded portion 15 terminates in a short strip 16 substantially normal to the last part of the rounded portion 15. As can be seen from Figure 2 the extent of the portion of constant radius of curvature is in excess of 180 degrees.

The rounded portion 15 of the flange is thus adapted to abut and engage the lip 12 of arcuate cross-section defined by the post, there being a rotational sliding engagement between the rounded portion 15 and the arcuate lip 12, to permit the orientation of the panel carried by the flange to be adjusted relative to the post.

The other flange 6, which is connected to the other panel 4, is a mirror image of the first flange 5. The other flange 6 comprises a flat plate 17, a rounded portion 18 and a short strip 19.

It can be seen from Figure 2 that the first flange 5 is engageable with a first lip 12 while the other flange 6 is engageable with the other lip 13 opposite the first lip 12. Particularly, the respective inner surfaces of the rounded portions 15,18 of the flanges are rotatably slidingly engaged with the respective outer surfaces of the lips 12,13 to allow a degree of relative rotation of the flanges 5,6 with respect to the lips 12.13.

Referring now to Figure 3 and 4, the rotatable lock 7 provides a means of locking the flanges 5,6 to the post 2. The lock 7 is formed from a plastics material and comprises a hollow cylindrical portion having an open end 20 and a closed end 21 thereby defining a cup 22. The closed end 21 is formed with a central securing hole 23. A substantially rectangular plate 24 having an aperture 25 merging with the open end 20 of the cup 22 is co-axially aligned with the central axis of the cup and extends normal to the central axis away from the cup 22. Each end 26,27 of the plate 24 supports a cantilevered side wall 28,29. The side walls 28,29 extend parallel to the central axis of the cup 22.

The plate 24 and the side walls 28,29 define a U-shaped portion, the two side walls 28,29 forming the "legs" of the U-shaped portion. The two side walls 28,29 flank the cup 22 and a are spaced apart from the cup 22 so that there is a gap between the respective inner surfaces 30,31 of the side walls 28,29 and the cup 22.

The outer surfaces 32,33 of each side wall 28,29 are each provided with a curved leading edge which creates a convex cam surface 34,35 merging into the body of the side wall. The cam surface 34,35 is substantially concentric with the cylindrical surface of the cup 22. A concave arcuate groove 36,37 extends along a part of the outer surface 32,33 from the leading edge and tangential to the cylindrical surface of the cup 22. The radius of curvature of the groove 36,37 is substantially identical to the radius of curvature of the outer surface of the rounded portions 15,18 of the flanges 3,4.

Two bores 38,39 of identical diameter are formed in the plate on diametrically opposite sides of the aperture 25 in the plate and open into the gap between the respective side walls 28,29 and the cup 22, for a purpose that will be described below. Alternatively, recesses may be provided instead of the bores.

It is to be appreciated that the cantilevered side walls 28,29 form resilient legs that may be flexed inwardly towards the cup 22.

Referring to Figure 2, a hole 40, of substantially the same diameter as the securing hole 23, is provided in the base portion 9 of the channel 8. A rivet 41, bolt or the like is used to secure the rotatable lock 7 to the post 2 through the securing hole 23 and the hole 40 in the post 2 such that the rotatable lock 7 is journalled to the post 2 and the closed end 21 of the cup 22 abuts the base portion 9.

With the rotatable lock 7 in situ in the longitudinally extending channel 8 of the post 2, the rotatable lock 7 has two basic configurations: a locked configuration and an open configuration which are shown respectively in Figures 1 and 5.

Referring to Figure 5, in the open configuration, the rotatable lock 7 is aligned such that the long sides of the rectangular plate 24 extend in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the post 2. In this manner, a slot is created between the long sides of the plate 24 and the respective lips 12,13 of the channel 8. The short strip 16,19 and rounded portion 15,18 of a flange 5,6 carried by a panel 3,4 are receivable in the slot so that the inner surface of the rounded portion 15,18 of a flange 5,6 is rotatably slidably engaged with the outer surface of a lip 12,13.

Referring now to Figure 7, a tool or key 42 is provided in order to operate the lock and to facilitate the turning of the rotatable lock 7 by increasing the leverage which can be applied to the lock 7. The key 42 comprises a solid handle 43, which may conveniently be of cuboidal shape but may be of any convenient shape to be gripped by hand, and two cylindrical pegs 44,45 which extend from and are perpendicular to the surface of one of the rectangular faces of the handle 43. The diameter of the pegs 44,45 is slightly less than the diameter of the bores 38,39 that run through the plate 24 of the rotatable lock 7. The pegs are spaced apart from one another by the same distance as the bores 38,39. Thus, the key 42 may be positioned adjacent the lock 7 and the pegs 44,45 inserted into the bores 38,39 to rotate the lock 7.

In use, in order to attach the flange 5, carried by the panel 3, to the post 2, the lock 7 is rotated using the key 42 to the open configuration shown in Figure 5. Then the short strip 16 and rounded portion 15 of the flange 5 are inserted in the slot between the lock 7 and the adjacent lip 12 so that the inner surface of the rounded portion 15 of the flange 5 is slidingly engaged with the outer surface of the lip 12. The panel is rotated about the vertical axis defined by the engagement of the flange 5 and the lip 12 until the panel is in the desired position.

The key 42 is then used to rotate the lock 7 such that the cam surface 34 abuts the outer surface of the rounded portion 15 of the flange 5 as shown by the direction arrows 46,47 in Figure 5. The panel is thus locked in position.

In order for complete rotation of the lock 7 through 90" to take place, some inward flexing of the side wall 28 is required as the wall impinges on the rounded portion 15 of the flange 5. Towards the end of the 90" rotation of the lock 7, the groove 36 is aligned with the rounded portion 15 of the flange 5 allowing the side wall 28 to snap back into substantially its original state. Consequently, when the 90" rotation is complete, the resilient nature of the side wall 28, which is still under compression caused by engagement with the flange 5 means that the side wall exerts an outward force on the rounded portion 15. This outward force traps the flange 5 between the lip 12 and the side wall 28 of the lock 7, thereby preventing relative rotation of the flange 5 with respect to the lip 12 or any relative longitudinal movement between the two. This locked configuration is shown in Figure 1.

Similarly, the other flange 6 connected to the other panel 4 is inserted into another slot formed on the other side of the channel 8 between the lock 7 and the other lip 13 and is locked at the same time as locking the first flange 5.

The flanges 5,6 are unlocked from the post 2 by simply counter-rotating the lock 7 through 90" to disengage the side walls 28,29 of the lock 7 from the flanges 5,6 as shown in the open configuration in Figure 5.

In the locked configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2, the flanges 5,6 are secured in position between the rounded lips 12,13 of the post 2 and the concave grooves 36,37 formed in the side walls 28,29 of the lock 7. While in this secured position, the flanges 5,6 and their associated panels 3,4 may not be moved nor rotated about or along their respective rounded lips 12,13 due to the compressive force being applied by the side walls of the lock 7.

It is to be appreciated that, with the flanges 5,6 in the channel 8, until the lock 7 is rotated to the locked configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2, the panels 3,4 may be arranged at a range of angles to the post and to each other. For example, the flange 5 may be rotated from a position where the short strip 16 abuts the outwardly directed planar section 10 which acts as a first end stop to a position where the short strip 16 abuts the side wall 28 of the lock 7 which acts as another end stop, the two end stops defining the angular range of rotation possible between the flange and the post 2, which range is preferably in the region of 45".

Alternatively, the other end stop is formed when the panel 3 abuts the post 2.

It is to be further appreciated that the provision of the respective rounded portions on the lips 12,13 on the post 2 and the corresponding rounded portions 15,18 on the flanges 5,6 allow said relative rotational movement.

Referring now to Figure 6, it can be seen that three locks 7 may be provided equi-spaced along a post 2 with three pairs of flanges 5,6 at corresponding positions on the panels 3,4. The three locks can be locked one after the other to secure the respective flanges to the post once the panel has been aligned into a desired angular position with respect to the post. It is to be appreciated that the number of locks 7 and corresponding flanges on the panels provided may vary from one to a desired number required to support a particular panel without departing from the present invention.

It is to be further appreciated that the panels 3,4 may be connected to other posts 2 by similar flanges at their other ends in order to form a fence system as shown in Figure 6. The above-described panelling arrangement design is extremely flexible and allows a wide variety of perimeter shapes or the like to be achieved.

It is envisaged that in a further embodiment (not shown) of the invention the lock 7 comprises a component having corrugated, non-resilient side walls intended to engage with corresponding corrugations on the rounded portions 15,16 of the flanges 5,6. In this embodiment, the lock 7 is forced into place between the flanges 5,6 in order to hold the panels 3,4 in the locked configuration and the lock is not directly attached to the post 2.

Referring now to Figures 8 and 9 an alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated. In the alternative embodiment of the invention part of a panelling arrangement 50 comprises a post 51, which supports two panels 52,53 which are located on opposed sides of the post.

The post 51 is a substantially square cross-section hollow member of rolled steel or extruded aluminium. The regions between the front face 54 of the post and each of the side walls 55,56 of the post are each provided with an inwardly curved formation comprising recessed portions 57,58 of arcuate crosssection. The arcuate recessed portions are of uniform radius of curvature and each have an arcuate extent of approximately 90 degrees.

Two identical locking assemblies 59,60 are provided mounted on the front face 54 of the post. As can be seen from Figure 8 and Figure 9 the locking assembly 60 comprises two support blocks 61,62 which project forwardly of the front wall 54 of the post 51 and which are spaced apart slightly. A guide pin 63 extends horizontally between the support blocks 61,62. The support blocks 61,62 are actually formed as a bifurcation at the forward end of a horizontally extending support element 64 which is received in an aperture formed in the front wall 54 extends horizontally across the interior of the post 51, and which passes through the rear wall 65 of the post 51. The support element 64 has an enlarged head 66, engaging the outer surface of the rear wall 65 of the post 51 to secure the support element 64 in position.

A transversely extending substantially vertical clamping plate 70 is provided. The clamping plate is provided with a central aperture 71, dimensioned to receiving the blocks 61,62. The plate is of generally rectangular form. The plate has a planar central region in which the aperture 71 is defined and has, at both side edges thereof, arcuately sectioned regions 72,73 which have a radius of curvature which is similar to that of the arcuate regions 57,58 provided on the post 51.

A locking member 75 is provided in the form of a vertical plate of rectangular configuration which has a diagonally extending slot 76. The locking member 75 has a thickness selected so that the locking assembly member can be located between the two blocks 61,62.

As can be seen from Figure 8, when the locking assembly 60 is assembled, the guide pin 63 passes through the slot 76 in the plate 75 with the plate 75 being located vertically in the space between the two blocks 61,62.

The panel 52 carries, at the edge adjacent to post 51, a flange 77, and the panel 53 carries an identical flange 78. Only the flange 77 will be described.

The flange 77 comprises a substantially planar plate 79, having horizontally extending oval apertures formed therein. The flange is secured to the panel 52 by means of bolts 81 which pass through the oval apertures 80, thus enabling the precise position of the flange relative to the panel to be adjusted. The free edge of the flange 77, which projects beyond the edge of the panel 52, is rolled, or otherwise configured to provide a portion of substantially tubular configuration 82.

The portion 82 therefore presents a substantial portion of its exterior which is of arcuate form when viewed in cross-section. The radius of curvature of the arcuate portion is substantially the same as the radius of curvature of the arcuate portions 57,58 of the post and the arcuately sectioned regions 72,73 of the clamping plate 70.

As can be seen, in Figure 8, the tubular portions 82 of the flanges 77,78 may be brought to engagement with the arcuate recessed portions 57,58 provided on the post 51, and the panels maybe rotated to a desired orientation, relative to the post, about the vertical axis defined by the tubular portions 82 of the flanges and the recessed portions 57,58, there being a rotational sliding movement between the tubular portions 82 carried by the flanges 77 and the arcuate recessed portions 57 and 58. When the panels 52,53 are of the desired orientation, the locking plate 75 may be moved to urge the clamping plates 70 into clamping engagement with the tubular portions 82, thus locking the panels in place and preventing further movement of the panels.

The locking plate 75 is in an initial position, as shown in Figure 8, in which the clamping plate 70 is free to move axially along the blocks 61,62. The locking plate 75 has a linear edge adjacent the clamping plate 70. If the locking plate 75, however, is moved downwardly, because of the diagonal nature of the slot 76 formed in each locking plate 75, the abutment means constituted by the pin 63 engage an edge part of the plate 15 (i.e. the edge of the slot 76) which is inclined to the linear edge of the plate 75 adjacent the clamping plate 70. Thus the clamping plate 70 will be urged firmly into a clamping position in engagement with the tubular portions 82 of the flanges 77,78, clamping the tubular portions of the flanges firmly in position.

Claims (25)

CLAIMS:

1. A panelling arrangement, the panelling arrangement comprising at least one post and at least one panel to be carried by the post, the post and the panel each being provided with respective co-operating engagement means, the engagement means being adapted, when engaged, to permit the panel to be selectively orientated relative to the post by rotating the panel about a vertical axis adjacent an edge of the panel, there being locking means to lock said engagement means at any selected orientation of the panel relative to the post, preventing further movement of the panel relative to the post.

2. An arrangement according to Claim 1, wherein the engagement means carried by the post or the engagement means carried by the panel comprise a portion of substantially arcuate cross-section adapted to engage the other of said engagement means.

3. An arrangement according to Claim 2 wherein said other engagement means comprises a portion of corresponding arcuate cross-section, the portions being of substantially identical radius of curvature and one portion being concave, the other portion being convex.

4. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the post carries two of said engagement means adapted to engage with engagement means carried by two panels.

5. An arrangement according to Claim 3 or 4 wherein the engagement means carried by the post comprise the portion of arcuate cross-section of convex form and the engagement means carried by the panel comprise a portion of arcuate cross-section of concave form.

6. An arrangement according to Claim 5 wherein the engagement means on the post comprise an integrally portion of the post defining a convex portion.

7. An arrangement according to Claim 6 wherein a channel is defined in the post, the portion of arcuate cross-section of convex form being defined by a lip of the channel.

8. An arrangement according to Claim 7 wherein the channel extends longitudinally along the post forming a re-entrant portion in one side of the post, the re-entrant portion being symmetrical and the channel defining two lips, each lip comprising a said portion of arcuate cross-section of convex form.

9. An arrangement according to any one of Claims 5 to 8 wherein the engagement means present on the panel are carried by a flange which is secured to the panel.

10. An arrangement according to Claim 9 wherein the flange comprises a substantially flat plate provided with means to secure the flange to the panel, the plate carrying a protruding portion which is configured to present a portion of arcuate cross-section of concave form.

11. An arrangement according to Claim 10 wherein the said portion of concave form terminates with an outwardly deflected terminal portion.

12. An arrangement according to any one of Claims 5 to 11 wherein the locking means comprise a rotatable element secured to the post, the locking means being movable to a locking position in which the locking means bias the portion of arcuate cross-section carried by the flange against the portion of arcuate crosssection of convex form defined on the post.

13. An arrangement according to Claim 12 wherein the locking means comprise a rotatable element carrying resilient portions, the rotatable element being movable from a position in which the resilient portions do not contact the engagement means to a position which the resilient portions do contact the engagement means and bias the engagement means carried by the panel into contact with the engagement means carried by the post.

14. An arrangement according to Claim 13 wherein each resilient portion is provided with a curved leading edge which creates a convex cam surface adapted initially to contact the engagement means carried by the panel.

15. An arrangement according to Claims 13 or 14 wherein the locking means is provided with drive means and a tool is provided having co-operating drive means, the drive means of the tool being engageable with the drive means of the rotatable member so that the tool may be utilised to rotate the rotatable member.

16. An arrangement according to Claim 15 wherein the drive means comprise one or more projections carried by one element and one or more recesses, to accommodate the projections, carried by the other elements.

17. An arrangement according to Claim 3 or 4 wherein the engagement means carried by the post comprise a portion of arcuate cross-section of concave form and the engagement mean carried by the panel comprise a portion of arcuate cross-section of concave form.

18. An arrangement according to Claim 17 wherein the engagement mean carried by the post comprises an inwardly curved formation having an arcuate extent of approximately 90 degrees.

19. An arrangement according to Claim 17 or 18 wherein the engagement means carried by the panel comprise a flange carrying tubular means.

20. An arrangement according to any one of Claims 17 to 19 wherein the locking means comprise a clamping plate adapted to clamp the engagement mean carried by the panel against the engagement means carried by the post, retaining means being provided to retain the clamp in the clamping position.

21. An arrangement according to Claim 20 wherein the retaining means comprise a plate having a linear edge adapted to engage the clamping plate and having an edge inclined to the linear edge, the said edge inclined to the linear edge engaging abutment means so that movement of the plate causes the clamping plate to be urged into a clamping position.

22. An arrangement according to Claim 21 wherein the retaining means comprises a vertical plate of substantially rectangular form having a diagonal slot therein, the diagonal slot receiving a horizontally extending guide pin, the guide pin being mounted in position adjacent a front face of the post.

23. A panelling arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

24. A panelling arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.

25. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.