GB2440532A

GB2440532A - Internal partition wall

Info

Publication number: GB2440532A
Application number: GB0615509A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Alfred Bullivant
Original assignee: Roxbury Ltd
Current assignee: Roxbury Ltd
Priority date: 2006-08-04
Filing date: 2006-08-04
Publication date: 2008-02-06
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-04
Also published as: EP1889981B1; GB2440532B; EP1889981A2; EP1889981A3; GB0615509D0; ES2391302T3

Abstract

The invention relates to an internal partition wall system comprising panels 12, wherein the boundary between neighbouring panels 12 is of a meandering shape, for improved insulation. The boundary may include a plurality of straight edges that are complementary in form wherein each panel has a first male edge 26 and a second female edge 28. Each panel is preferably secured in position between the floor and ceiling 16 by fixings 18 that locate over the upper edge of the panels 12 and have tags for securing the fixing 18 to the ceiling 16. At the lower edge, a fixing plate (20 figure 5) may engage the panel 12 by means of teeth (70 figure 5). Later embodiments relate to an article for use in securing an internal partition wall panel, an internal partition wall system and a method of forming an internal partition wall.

Description

I

Internal Partition Wall The present invention relates to internal partition walls.

Internal partition walls are non-load-bearing divisions provided inside a building. They serve to divide up the space between load-bearing structures into separate rooms.

The present invention provides an internal partition wall panel having an edge shaped to meet an edge of another like panel to define a boundary between the panels, the boundary being meandering in the direction from one panel face to the other panel face.

The meandering boundary may include a plurality of straight legs. The meandering boundary may include at least three straight legs, or at least five straight legs.

The edges may be complementary in form. The panel may have a first, male edge which is complementary in form with a second, female edge.

Each panel may have a first, male edge and a second, female edge.

The complementary form of the edges may cause the adjacent panels to adapt a preferred relative alignment when brought together.

The shaped edge may be a vertical edge in the installed panel.

Preferably, the top and bottom edges of the panel are planar.

The panel may be formed of a settable material, such as a cementitious material. The settable material may be a cement mix or a plaster mix or a mixture of these materials. The settable material may contain beads of thermal insulating material, such as a polymer material. The insulating material may be polystyrene.

Embodiments of the invention also provide an article for use in securing an internal partition wall panel into position, comprising: a first portion for locating to a panel, a second portion for securing to a neighbouring structure; and a connecting portion connecting the first and second portions, to fix the panel, in use, relative to the neighbouring structure.

* The first portion may locate a panel by engaging the panel edge. The first portion may embrace the panel edge. Alternatively, the first portion may be formed to penetrate the panel edge.

The second portion may provide holes for elongate fixings.

The connecting portion may be a plate. The first and/or second portions may be formed by deforming the material of the plate from the plane of the plate. The material may be deformed using a stamping, punching or folding operation.

Another aspect of the invention provides an internal partition wall system, comprising panels as defined above, and securing articles as defined above, the panels meeting edge-to-edge, in use, to be secured in position by the securing articles.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of forming an internal partition wall, including providing a plurality of panels as defined above, positioning the panels in edge-to-edge relationship at the line of the wall, providing a plurality of securing articles as defined above, and securing the panels in position by means of the securing articles.

In another aspect, the invention provides an internal partition wall, comprising panels meeting edge-to-edge, at least one of the panels being formed of a settable material.

The panel may be formed of a cementitious material. The settable material may be a cement mix or a plaster mix or a mixture of these materials.

The settable material may contain beads of thermal insulating material, such as a polymer material. The insulating material may be polystyrene.

The invention also provides a method of forming an internal partition wall, including providing a plurality of panels, positioning the panels in edge-to-edge relationship at the line of the wall, at least one of the panels being formed of a settable material.

Examples of the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view, part cut-away, of an internal partition wall formed in accordance with the present invention; -Fig. 2 is an enlarged part of Fig. 1, at the top of the wall panels; Fig. 3 is a view equivalent to Fig. 2, showing an alternative edge profile, and Fig. 3a is a diagrammatic representation of a modified version of the profile of Fig. 3, viewed along the edge; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a fixing used at the top of the wall panels; Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of part of Fig. 1, at the bottom of the wall panels;and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a fixing used at the foot of the wall panels.

Fig. 1 illustrates an internal partition wall panel system 10 formed from panels 12 secured in position between the floor 14 and ceiling 16 by fixings 18, 20.

The panels 12 are each alike, being generally rectangular and planar and installed in a generally vertical orientation with their longer dimension upright. Upper fixings 18 are used to secure the upper edge 22 of each panel to the ceiling 18. Lower fixings 20 are Used to secure the lower edge 24 of each panel to the floor 14.

Neighbouring panels 12 meet at their vertical edges 26, 28. In this example, each panel is formed with a first, male edge 26 and a second, female edge 28. In Fig. 1, one male edge 26 is exposed in the view, as is one female edge 28. The shape of the edges 26, 28 is preferably constant along the vertical length of the edges and can therefore be described in more detail by reference to the enlarged view of Fig. 2, which shows a male edge 26 interfitted with a female edge 28.

Turning to Fig. 2, the male edge 26 has a meandering shape formed of five straight legs. Two straight legs 30 extend in from opposite faces 32 of the panei 12, generally perpendicular to the plane of the panel 12. The straight legs 30 meet respective intermediate legs 34 at concavities 36. The intermediate legs 34 extend away from the main body of the panel 12, meeting a middle leg 38 at edges 40. The middle leg 38 is parallel with the straight legs 30, generally perpendicular to the plane of the panels 12. Thus, there are five legs defining the meandering shape of the male edge 26, resulting in a prominent land 42 inboard of the planar faces of the panels 12.

The female edge 28 is complementary in form to the male edge 26.

Thus, the edge 28 has straight legs 44 extending in from the planar faces of the panel 12, generally perpendicular to the plane of the panel 12, and meeting intermediate legs 46 at edges 48. The intermediate legs 46 extend in from the edges 48 toward the main body of the panel 12, creating a concave channel, and meeting a middle leg 50 forming the base of the channel.

It can be understood from the above description that by providing complementary male and female edges 26, 28, it is possible to fit the land 42 of a male edge 46 into the channel of a female edge 28 of another panel 12.

The form and complementary nature of the edges 26, 28 provides a number of effects, as follows. The boundary between the panels 12 follows a meandering path in the direction from one face 32 to the other face 32, so that any gap which may exist between adjacent panels 12 will not be straight. The joint formed in this manner is expected to be a relatively poorconductor of heat, sound and fire, by virtue of this meandering shape. In addition, the process of installation, to be described more fully below, is simplified because the form of the edges will cause adjacent panels to adopt a preferred relative alignment when panel edges 26, 28 are brought together. A worker will feel the panels slotting together as they approach this preferred relative alignment.

Furthermore, the interfitment of the edges 26, 28 provides increased stability to the finished wall, by providing some securement of each panel 12 to its neighbours.

In this example, the panels are formed of a cement mix but other cementitious or settable materials could be used. For example, a plaster mix may be used. A combined mix of plaster and cement could be used. Panels with constant edge profiles along their lengths can conveniently be formed by a moulding or extrusion process.

The use of settable materials for forming the panels allows other material to be incorporated into the panels. For example, thermal insulating * material may be incorporated in the panels, in the form of beads of material.

This may be a polymer material. Polystyrene is an example of an insulating material which may be incorporated in bead form. Many thermal insulating materials will also provide enhanced insulating of other parameters, such as sound and/or fire.

In this example, the vertical edges 26, 28 of the panels 12 are profiled in the manner which has been described, whereas the upper and lower edges 22, 24 are planar and generally perpendicular to the faces 32.

The profiles described for the edges 26, 28 are complementary and different. Conveniently, each panel 12 will have a male edge 26 and a female edge 28, so that all panels can be identical. In an alternative, each panel could be formed either with two male edges 26, or two female edges 28, in which case a wall would be constructed by alternating male and female panels.

An alternative shape for the vertical edges of the panels 12 is illustrated in Fig. 3, which otherwise corresponds with Fig. 2. In this example, each panel has two identical edges having a three-legged form in which two straight legs 52 are joined by an intermediate leg 54. It can readily be understood that this alternative geometry provides another form of meandering boundary, with expected improvements in heat, sound and fire insulation. Ease of installation and achieving relative alignment between panels is also improved over a flat edge, as is stability, but the interfitting of the edges of Fig. 3 is less secure than the interuitting of the edges of Fig. 2, so that the reliability of attaining a preferred alignment, and the stability achieved during use, may both be less than in relation to the embodiment of Fig. 2.

In the example of Fig. 3, the intermediate leg 54 has a diagonal orientation relative to the legs 52 and the plane of the panels 12. Another alternative is illustrated in Fig. 3a, differing from the example of Fig. 3 in that the intermediate leg 54' is perpendicular to the straight legs 52'.

Panels are installed using the fixings 18, 20, illustrated in more detail in Figs. 4 and 6. The upper fixing 18 is an article which has a first portion indicated generally at 56 for locating to a panel, a second portion indicated generally at 58 for securing to a neighbouring structure (in this case the ceiling 16) and a connecting portion 60 connecting the first and second portions, to fix the panel 12, in use, relative to the ceiling 16. In more detail, the upper fixing 18 is formed from a plate by bending strips 62 up from the plane of the connecting portion 60 to form walls between which the upper edge 22 of the panel 12 may be embraced, with the strips 62 extending across the faces 32 of the panel 12. Tags 64, left in the plane of the portion when the strips 62 are bent up, are provided with apertures 66 for receiving screws, nails or other elongate fixings, for securing the fixing 18 to the ceiling 16.

Accordingly, the upper edge 22 can be secured to the ceiling 16 by fitting at least one upper fixing 18 over the upper edge 22, with the upper edge 22 received between the strips 62, and thereafter securing the fixing 18 to the ceiling 16 by means of elongate fixings through the apertures 64.

Deforming the material of the plate to form the strips 62, leaving the tags 64, may be achieved by a stamping, punching or folding operation.

A lower fixing 20 is illustrated in more detail in Figs. 5 and 6. The fixing is in the form of a plate 68 forming the connecting portion of the fixing 20.

The first portion for locating to a panel 12 is formed as an array of teeth 70 bent out from the plane of the plate 68 to leave slots 72. The second portion for securing to a neighbouring structure (in this example, the floor 14) is formed by apertures 74, for receiving screws, nails or other elongate fixings.

Accordingly, the lower fixing 20 may be secured to the floor 14, prior to the introduction of a panel 12, by means of the apertures 74 and appropriate elongate fixings. A panel 12, introduced from above, can then be pressed down onto the upwardly projecting teeth 70, until they penetrate the panel lower edge 24, thereafter holding the lower edge 24.

In a preferred example for installing an internal partition wall, a set of lower fixings 20 is secured to the floor 14 along the desired line of the partition wall. A first panel 12 can then be introduced and pressed down onto the lower fixing 20. This secures the lower edge 24. The panel 12 can then be raised to the vertical position, if not already vertical. Upper fixings 18 may be placed over the upper edge 22, before the panel 12 is raised to the vertical position, so that as the upper edge 22 approaches the ceiling 16, it becomes a relatively simple matter to introduce elongate fixings through the apertures 66 in the tags 64, to secure the upper fixing 18 to the ceiling 16, thereby also fixing the upper edge 22, relative to the ceiling 16.

Another panel 12 can then be introduced by aligning the edge of the new panel to the edge of the old panel, to interfit the edges 26, 28, for example. After reaching the correct alignment, the new panel can be pressed down onto a lower fixing 20 already secured to the floor 14, and upper fixings 18 provided on the upper edge 22 can be secured to the ceiling 16 by means of appropriate elongate fixings. As this process continues, the internal partition wall is quickly, neatly and securely constructed from a series of panels 12.

Thus, one example of the invention is an internal partition wall system comprising panels 12 as described above, fixings 18, 20 as described above, the panels 12 meeting edge-to-edge, as has been described, to be secured in position by the fixings 18, 20. In addition, the interfitment of the edges further enhances the securement of the panels 12.

When panels of the type described above are used for forming an internal partition wall, by placing them edge-to-edge along the line of the wall, the use of the materials described above is expected to provide a number of.

advantages. Pre-forming the panels, for example in the manner described, facilitates easy, quick and clean installation. Using a cement and/or plaster based mix incorporating beads of polystyrene or other insulating material provides a panel which is light and can thus be easily and safely handled, but provides good characteristics of thermal, acoustic and fire insulation. Panels can readily be remodelled on site, for example to cut apertures for doors or windows, channels for installation of services etc. It can be understood from the above description that many variations and modifications can be made to the examples described above, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, many different materials can be used for the construction of the panels and fixings.

The detailed shapes and forms of the fixings and panels (particularly the panel edges) can be widely varied, according to the performance required of the partition wall being constructed. Other materials could be incorporated in the panels, such as rubber or rubber-based materials, and in bead, granule, strip or sheet form.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. An internal partition wall panel having an edge shaped to meet an edge of another like panel to define a boundary between the panels, the boundary being meandering in the direction from one panel face to the other panel face.

2. A panel according to claim 1, wherein the meandering boundary includes a plurality of straight legs.

3. A panel according to claim 2, wherein the meandering boundary includes at least three straight legs.

4. A panel according to claim 2, wherein the meandering boundary 1 5 includes at least five straight legs.

5. A panel according to any preceding claim, wherein the edges are **.

complementary in form.

 20 6. A panel according to claim 5, wherein the panel has a first, male edge * which is complementary in form with a second, female edge.

7. A panel according to claim 5 or 6, wherein each panel has a first, male edge and a second, female edge.

8. A panel according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the complementary form of the edges cause the adjacent panels to adapt a prefered relative alignment when brought together.

9. A panel according to any preceding claim, wherein the shaped edge is a vertical edge in the installed panel.

10. A panel according to claim 9, wherein the top and bottom edges of the panel are planar.

11. A panel according to any preceding claim, wherein the panel is formed of a settable material.

12. A panel according to claim 11, wherein the settable material is cementitious.

13. A panel according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the settable material is a cement mix or a plaster mix or a mixture of these materials.

14. A panel according to claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the settable material 1 5 contains beads of thermal insulating material.

:, 15. A panel according to claim 14, wherein the insulating material is a polymer material. :...:

* 20 16. A panel according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the insulating material is **.

* polystyrene. *

17. An article for use in securing an internal partition wall panel into position, comprising: a first portion for locating to a panel, a second portion for securing to a neighbouring structure; and a connecting portion connecting the first and second portions, to fix the panel, in use, relative to the neighbouring structure.

18. An article according to claim 17, wherein the first portion locates a panel, in use, by engaging the panel edge.

19. An article according to claim 18, wherein the first portion embraces the panel edge.

20. An article according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the first portion is formed to penetrate the panel edge.

21. An article according to any of claims 16 to 20, wherein the second portion provides holes for elongate fixings.

22. An article according to any of claims 16 to 21, wherein the connecting portion is a plate.

23. An article according to claim 22, wherein the first and/or second portions are formed by deforming the material of the plate from the plane of the plate. *. S. S..

*::::. 24. An article according to claim 23, wherein the material is deformed using a stamping, punching or folding operation.

***. * * * 20 *S.

* 25. An internal partition wall system, comprising panels as defined in any * of claims 1 to 15, and securing articles as defined in any of claims 16 to 24, the panels meeting edge-to-edge, in use, to be secured in position by the securing articles.

26. A method of forming an internal partition wall, including providing a plurality of panels as defined in any of claims ito 15, positioning the panels in edge-to-edge relationship at the line of the wall, providing a plurality of securing articles as defined in any of claims 16 to 24, and securing the panels in position by means of the securing articles.

* 27. An internal partition wall, comprising panels meeting edge-to-edge, at least one of the panels being formed of a settable material.

28. A wall according to claim 27, wherein the panel is formed of a cementitious material.

* 29. A wall according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the settable material is a cement mix or a plaster mix or a mixture of these materials.

30. A wall according to any of claims 27, 28 or 29, wherein the settable material contains beads of thermal insulating material.

31. A wall according to claim 30, wherein the insulating material is a polymer material.

32. A wall according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the insulating material is * S**.

polystyrene. : ..:

* 20 33. A method of forming an internal partition wall, including providing a *S.

* plurality of panels, positioning the panels in edge-to-edge relationship at the line of the wall, at least one of the panels being formed of a settable material. **

S

S

34. A method according to claim 33, wherein the panel is formed of a cementitious material.

35. A method according to claim 33 or 34, wherein the settable material is a cement mix or a plaster mix or a mixture of these materials.

36. A method according to claim 33, 34 or 35, wherein the settable material contains beads of thermal insulating material.

37. A method according to claim 36, wherein the insulating material is a polymer material.

38. A method according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the insulating material is polystyrene.

39. An internal partition wall panel, substantially as described above, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

40. An internal partition wall system, substantially as described above, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

41. An internal partition wall, substantially as described above, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

42. An article for use in securing an internal partition wall panel into * position, substantially as described above, with reference to the accompanying drawings. :...: * 20 **.

* 43. A method of forming an internal partition wall, substantially as described above, with reference to the accompanying drawings. * S

S

* 44. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.