NZ333246A - Connector for partitions in the shape of an H-shaped extrusion - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a connection member (Figure 1) for partitioning of a panel, wall structure or building member being an extrusion which defines a hollow substantially rectangular form, the minor sides of which are extended and are themselves flanged outwardly, the whole profile being such the four substantially identical channels are defined, each to allow a panel or other structure to be partitioned to be nosed into the channel (Figure 8).

Description

NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 No: 333246 Date: 08 December 1998 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION "Partitioning System and Components Therefor" # We, LASER SYSTEMS LIMITED a company duly incorporated under the laws of New Zealand of Glasgow Street, Huntly, New Zealand,, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 2000 The present invention relates to improvements m partitioning systems and components and procedures utilised therewith.

Many forms of partitioning are known. Such partitioning can be full height partitioning or part height partitioning, ie, modesty partitioning. Partitioning may be provided on pedestal type members or fixed into a floor. They usually make provision conduits for cabling or other uses.

The present invention is directed to components of a partitioning system, to subassemblies of such a partitioning assembly, to partitioning assembled using such components and/or sub-assemblies and to related methods and means which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Accordingly in a first aspect the present invention consists m a connection member for partitioning, said connection member being an extrusion which defines a hollow substantially rectangular form, the minor sides of which are extended and are themselves flanged outwardly, the whole profile being such that four substantially identical channels are defined, each to allow a panel or other structure to be partitioned to be nosed into the channel either (i) at substantially right angles to an adjacent panel, or (ii) m alignment to an adjacent panel, or (lii) both.

Preferably the longer sides of said substantially rectangular form having the width of a channel defined by extensions of the smaller sides of the rectangular core whilst the other two channels rely on the profile having flanges to define each channel.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a connection member comprising an extrusion of a form substantially as hereinafter described with reference to Figure 1.

As used herein "connection member" does not necessarily mean that there is necessarily an engagement between a panel, the frame of a glazed panel, or the like other than the mere nosing thereof into an appropriate receiving channel.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a connection member of Figure 17 and to related methods and subassemblies.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in, as a sub-assembly, a connection member as previously defined into the channels of which a multiplicity of panels or has been nosed (other structures may include for example, a framed glass panel).

In still a further aspect the present invention consists m such a sub-assembly ^ where one or more of said channels of the connection member is engaged by a capping '• "■ 333241 member or other member (eg, as in Figure 6 and 15).

In a further aspect there is provided partitioned panels or wall structures which include a connection member as previously described.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in partitioned panels or wall structures involving the use of any one or more of the connection members herein described whether as previously defined or as hereinafter defined or both particularly with reference to any one or more of figures 1 to 4 or 8 to 17. Preferably in such a structure where a connection member as previously defined is utilised preferably wiring or other utility services are provided at least partly along the hollow substantially rectangular form thereof.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a connection member for partitioning being an extrusion having a general H shaped cross section which defines opposed channels, said extrusion including a third such channel directed outwardly from one of the sides of the H form, flanges directed outwardly providing the substantially identical type channel.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of partitioning utilising any of the connection members herein described with or without reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings and using any of the features of construction hereinafter described with reference to any one of accompanying drawings, wherein the method includes the step of nosing a panel or other structure to be partitioned into a channel of the connection member substantially as herein described.

Some preferred forms of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is in a cross sectional or end view of a preferred extrusion (preferably of aluminium) of a connection member m accordance with the present invention, Figure 2 shows an alternative connection member in accordance with the present invention which can be used in conjunction with the partitioning system which relies upon the section of Figure 1, Figure 3 is yet a further connection member m accordance with the present invention, Figure 4 shows still a further connection member in accordance with the present invention, Figure 5 shows a capping member suitable for closing the exterior part of the corner to be formed by panels which nose into the two like channels of a connection member of Figure 2 (see Figure 10), Figure 6 is a capping member suitable for capping any of the channels of a connection member of any of the kinds of Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 (see for example Figure ), Figure 7 is a prior art form of extrusion available from Fletcher Aluminium Limited, suitable for framing a glass panel to be held thereto by a glazing bead (not shown), the legs of such prior art extrusion being capable of being received and located by adhesion (eg, STURDIBOND™ adhesive) or other means m any of the channels of a connector as shown in any one of Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, Figure 8 shows four identical panels (for example of particle board) nosed into each of the four identical channels of a connector of Figure 1, Figure 9 shows a similar view to that of Figure 8 but showing how, for example, hollow corded panels can be nosed into the connector, the top most panel by way of example being of MDF or the like sheets spaced by appropriate spacing members to provide a hollow cored composite panel which will allow the ducting of utilities between the sheets of material and the lower composite panel being of the kind that might be utilised in a shower or bathroom situation where one or both (in this case both are shown as identical) of the sheets from which the composite panel is formed can be appropriately made, surfaced or otherwise modified so as to accommodate for wetness of a bathroom or shower, Figure 10 shows a corner using two identical solid core panels and the sections of Figures 2 and 5, Figure 11 shows solid core panels nosed into each of the three identical channels of an extrusion of Figure 4, Figure 12 shows two identical solid core panels nosed into the two identical channels of an extrusion as depicted m Figure 3, Figure 13 shows how if desired a simple H shaped extrusion can be provided to allow the inline nosing of panels (identical or otherwise), Figure 14 shows how, if desired, in place of an arrangement as shown in Figure 13, a spline interconnection of butting panels can be utilised.

Figure 15 shows a profile of Figure 1 with a capping member of Figure 6 associated with one of the four channels into which it can clip-fit engage, Figure 16 shows a prior art glazing extrusion of Figure 7 likewise associated with one of the four channels of a profile of Figure 1, and Figure 17 is an alternative to the connector member of Figure 1 (ie, one without the hollow substantially rectangular core) which can when desired be used as a cheaper alternative to the extrusion of Figure 1.

In the preferred form of the present invention preferably the connection members are extrusions and are formed from aluminium or an aluminium alloy.

Preferably also all of the channels are identical save for any variation required (eg, for cap fitment) which will not affect their performance m receiving the nosing in of an appropriately dimensioned panel.

Preferably a modular channel width is adopted and preferably a preferred width 36mm It is envisaged that a partitioning system as depicted m the accompanying drawings and as previously defined can be erected in a number of different ways.

Little skill is required m mating of different panel types and even glazed panels into an interconnected structure.

Hollow panels of a kind shown in the drawings allow the ducting of utilities such as electricity to a mid panel height. Likewise the connector of Figure 1 allows the ducting of electricity to any openings that might be machined into the hollow substantially rectangular form thereof. It is a small matter to duct up such a connector member an appropriate electrical cable and to extract it out through a machined opening and then to pass that into a drilled or other interconnected holes into a panel, ie, to a position where a light or other box may be positioned.

In accordance with the present invention the panels can be full stud height, or part only of the stud height. They can be placed on pedestals (as is often the case in office partitioning to facilitate the passage of cables between work stations) and/or can rise only part way up to the full stud level m which case the connection members may be cut to be flushed therewith or can extend to the full stud height.

The extrusions previously defined also serve a capability in allowing a top capping of panels using a cap of the modular width. For example an extrusion to form similar to that of Figure 6 can be used provided it has a channel of the modular width. In such a situation the connectors can be trimmed short of the full panel height to allow the capping down over otherwise exposed surfaces of the panel. Indeed if desired such a capping member can have its flanges or sides provided into recesses transversely of nosed m panels to serve a locking function.

The cheaper tooled profile of Figure 17 can when desired be substituted for that of Figure 1.

The present invention therefore provides an alternative to existing systems and its modularity of panel width provides a great deal of flexibility in construction and rearrangement with a minimum of skill requirement. ? !> t D

Claims (9)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A connection member for partitioning of a panel, wall structure or building member being an extrusion which defines a hollow substantially rectangular form, the minor sides of which are extended and are themselves flanged outwardly, the whole profile being such that four substantially identical channels are defined, each to allow a panel or other structure to be partitioned to be nosed into the channel, and to position a channel either (i) at substantially right angles to an adjacent panel, or (ii) in alignment to an adjacent panel, or (lii) both.

2. A member of claim 1 wherein the longer sides of said substantially rectangular form having the width of a channel defined by extensions of the smaller sides of the rectangular core whilst the other two channels rely on the profile having flanges to define each channel.

3. A connection member comprising an extrusion of a form substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1.

4. A connection member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 17.

5. As a sub-assembly, a connection member of any one of the preceding claims the channels of which a multiplicity of panels or other structures to be partitioned has been nosed.

6. A sub-assembly of claim 5 where one or more of said channels of the connection member is engaged by a capping member.

7. Partitioned panels or wall structures which include a connection member in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 4.

8 Partitioned panels or wall structures involving the use of any one or more of the connection members of any one of claims 1 to 4 or as hereinbefore described with reference to any one or more of figures 1 to 4 or 8 to 17.

9. A method of partitioning utilising any one of the connection members claimed m any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the method includes the step of nosing a panel or other structure to be partitioned into a channel of the connection member substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one or more of figures 1 to 4 or 8 to 17. Intellectual Property Office of W.Z 15 AUG 2001 RECEIVED