NZ746315A - Partitioning - Google Patents

Abstract

It is known to use a partitioning to divide an office or other work space into cubicles or other smaller areas. Many known forms of partitioning lack simplicity and adaptability and can be undesirably expensive to produce. It is an object of a preferred embodiment of the invention to go at least some way towards facilitating this. In a preferred embodiment of the invention a partitioning has a first screen 10, a second screen 15, and a series of hinges 1. The hinges 1 are formed from a flexible strap portion 2 with locking portions 3, 4 and are arranged to connect the screens 10, 15 such that they can pivot in respect of one another. e way towards facilitating this. In a preferred embodiment of the invention a partitioning has a first screen 10, a second screen 15, and a series of hinges 1. The hinges 1 are formed from a flexible strap portion 2 with locking portions 3, 4 and are arranged to connect the screens 10, 15 such that they can pivot in respect of one another.

Description

TITLE Partitioning FIELD OF INVENTION A preferred form of the invention relates to a partitioning that employs a series of strap hinges.

BACKGROUND It is known to use a partitioning to divide an office or other work space into cubicles or other smaller areas. Many known forms of partitioning lack simplicity and adaptability and can be undesirably expensive to produce.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of preferred embodiments of the invention to go at least some way towards addressing the above problem. While this applies to preferred embodiments, it should not be seen as a limitation on the scope of any claims not addressing this problem. In this regard the object of the invention per se is simply to provide the public with a useful choice.

INTERPRETATION The term “comprising” or “comprises” as used in this document in relation to a combination of features or steps should not be taken to rule out the option of there being other unspecified features or steps (they may or may not be present).

SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to one aspect of the invention there is provided partitioning, comprising a first screen, a second screen and a series of hinges, wherein: • each hinge comprises: o a flexible strap portion; and o a locking portion at each end of the strap portion; • each screen has a series of apertures spaced along an upwardly extending edge thereof; • the apertures of one screen are aligned with the apertures of the other screen in pairs; • for each pair of apertures, a strap of a respective one of the hinges: o passes through the aperture of the first screen; o turns to pass between the edges of both screens; o turns to pass through the aperture of the second screen; and o is prevented pulling free of the apertures by the locking portion at each end.

Optionally the strap portion has a series of fold lines along its length.

Optionally the fold lines are in the form of lines of reduced thickness.

Optionally for each hinge at least some of the fold lines are situated at junctions of the strap and locking portions so as to enable the locking portions to be folded against the strap to assist the locking portions and strap to proceed through the corresponding apertures during assembly of the partitioning.

Optionally the locking portion has flat inwards facing surfaces and a rounded outwards facing surface.

Optionally in each case the locking portion is generally transverse with respect to an immediately adjacent part of the strap.

Optionally the hinges enable the screens to be set at variable angles with respect to one another.

Optionally the strap has a series of reduced thickness fold lines along its length; the locking portion is in each case generally transverse with respect to an immediately adjacent part of the strap; and for each hinge at least some of the fold lines are situated at junctions of the strap and locking portions so as to enable the locking portions to be folded against the strap to enable the locking portions and strap to proceed through the corresponding apertures during assembly of the partitioning.

DRAWINGS Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a partitioning hinge when in a straightened or pre-use disposition; Figure 2 is an isometric view of the hinge when in an in-use disposition; Figure 3 is a plan view of the hinge in its in-use disposition; Figure 4 is an isometric view of a partition panel with a series of the hinges; Figure 5 is an isometric view of partitioning; and Figure 6 is an isometric view of the partitioning of the partitioning when set at an angle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to figures 1, 2 and 3, the hinge 1 has a strap 2 and two end caps 3, 4. The hinge is made from plastic or rubber or any other suitable material that can bend resiliently.

The strap 2 has a number of fold lines in the form of vertical grooves 5 that span the height of the strap 2 on both its front and rear faces 6, 7. More specifically, each groove 5 is aligned with a corresponding groove on the opposite face to form lines of reduced thickness. The reduced thickness helps the strap 2 to fold on that line. The grooves 5 are located at positions along the strap 2 where it needs to bend when in use. The strap 2 has six of the grooves 5 on each side 6, 7, however it should be understood that in other embodiments there may be more or fewer grooves 5 depending on where the strap 2 is intended to bend when in use.

Referring to figure 1, there is an end cap 3, 4 at each end of the strap 2. The caps 3, 4 extend transversely with respect to the strap 2 to form a “T” shape at each end. As shown in figure 2, the caps have flat interior surfaces 8 and a rounded exterior surface 9. The grooves 5a at positions where the strap 2 merges with the caps 3, 4 enable the caps to bend with respect to the strap.

Referring to figure 4, a series of the straps 1 are fitted to a screen in the form of a panel for forming partitioning for a work area. The panel 10 has a front surface 11, a rear surface 12 and an edge 13 around its perimeter. There are a number of rectangular apertures 14 in the panel 10 along its two vertical sides. In each case the apertures extend completely through the panel.

With further reference to figure 4, the hinges 1 are threaded into the apertures 14. In this regard each hinge 1 is inserted into a respective aperture 14 by hand folding one of its caps 3 so that it temporarily lies substantially flat/parallel against the strap 2. The folded cap can be inserted into the aperture 14 with the strap until the cap 3 exits the opposite end of the aperture. The cap 3 is then released so that it returns to its original transverse orientation by reason of its natural resilience. In this form the cap 3 prevents the hinge 1 from being pulled out of the aperture 14; ie because the cap is wider than the aperture 14. The hinges are preferably arranged in the panel 10 in alternating sequence. In other words some of the caps 3 butt against the front of the panel and some against the back of the panel. In each case it is the flat interior surface 8 of the cap that lies against the panel 10.

Referring to figure 5, to complete or build the partitioning stepwise a second panel 15 is introduced. The second screen in the form of a panel 15 has the same size, shape and hole configuration as the first panel 10. The two panels 10, 15 are connected by the hinges. This is achieved by, for each hinge, bending the other cap 4 against the strap 2 in the same way described above, and threading the cap 4 through a corresponding aperture 16 of the second panel 15. When the caps 4 are released their natural resilience brings them back to their original transverse state so that their flat interior surfaces 8 lie against second panel.

The path each hinge 1 takes in engaging the panels 10, 15 is best understood from viewing figures 3 and 4 together. In this regard the strap 2 passes through an aperture 14 of the first panel 10 and then immediately turns towards the second panel 15. From there the strap passes between adjacent side edges 13a, 13b of the panels, and then again turns to the second panel 15. The strap then passes through an aligned aperture 16 of the second panel 15. Each turn of the strap corresponds with the position of a corresponding one of the grooves 5 so that the strap is compact against both panels 10, 15.

As shown in figure 6 the panels 10, 15 can swing about the hinges in the manner of the leaves of a book, to adjust the angle between the panels. When not in use the panels 10, 15 can be folded against one another like a closed book for storage (eg for flat packing). When the panels are in an aligned arrangement, each panel may swing up to about 360° with respect to the other panel to have the panels set in the desired configuration.

While the drawings show partitioning having two panels, it should be understood that any number of the panels can be added in the same way to make the partitioning as long as needed. The partitioning can be used to divide an open area into smaller spaces. It in effect provides dividing walls, and the hinges enable the walls to be readily set to a wide variety of shapes, eg cubicles with walls at right angles or some other angled relationship. The partitioning may be used to form office cubicles, conference rooms, meeting rooms, or any other indoor or outdoor space.

Preferably the hinges can be removed from the panels if desired, eg stretching them out a little to enable one of the caps 3, 4 to be turned flat against the strap 2 and then move the strap and cap out of the corresponding aperture 14, 16.

While some preferred embodiments of the invention have been described by way of example it should be understood that modifications and improvements can occur without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims (9)

1. Partitioning comprising, a first screen, a second screen and a series of hinges, wherein: • each hinge comprises: 5 o a flexible strap portion; and o a locking portion at each end of the strap portion; • each screen has a series of apertures spaced along an upwardly extending edge thereof; • the apertures of one screen are aligned with the apertures of the other 10 screen in pairs; • for each pair of apertures, a strap of a respective one of the hinges: o passes through the aperture of the first screen; o turns to pass between the edges of both screens; o turns to pass through the aperture of the second screen; and 15 o is prevented pulling free of the apertures by the locking portion at each end.

2. Partitioning according to claim 1, wherein the strap portion has a series of fold lines along its length.

3. Partitioning according to claim 2, wherein the fold lines are in the form of lines of reduced thickness.

4. Partitioning according to claim 2 or 3, wherein for each hinge at least some of the 25 fold lines are situated at junctions of the strap and locking portions so as to enable the locking portions to be folded against the strap to assist the locking portions and strap to proceed through the corresponding apertures during assembly of the partitioning. 30

5. Partitioning according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking portion has flat inwards facing surfaces and a rounded outwards facing surface.

6. Partitioning according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in each case the locking portion is generally transverse with respect to an immediately adjacent 35 part of the strap.

7. Partitioning according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hinges enable the screens to be set at variable angles with respect to one another.

8. Partitioning according to claim 1, wherein: 5 • the strap has a series of reduced thickness fold lines along its length; • the locking portion is in each case generally transverse with respect to an immediately adjacent part of the strap; and • for each hinge at least some of the fold lines are situated at junctions of the strap and locking portions so as to enable the locking portions to be 10 folded against the strap to enable the locking portions and strap to proceed through the corresponding apertures during assembly of the partitioning.

9. Partitioning according to any one of the preceding claims substantially as 15 herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.