WO1995017564A1

WO1995017564A1 - Partitioning systems

Info

Publication number: WO1995017564A1
Application number: PCT/GB1993/002620
Authority: WO
Inventors: Keith Graham Longhurst
Original assignee: Advanced Technical Systems (Uk) Limited
Priority date: 1993-12-21
Filing date: 1993-12-21
Publication date: 1995-06-29
Also published as: AU5708994A

Abstract

A partitioning system comprises channel sections having inner and outer mounting elements (128, 130) to receive complementary mounting members such as a glazing chair (158) and a glazing bead (154), these being located within the main mounting member and thus without cumulatively adding to the lengthwise dimensions of the partition walling system. The mounting elements are provided at the inner side surfaces of the main mounting section in order to control flexibility for inserting complementary mounting members. In a further embodiment the complementary mounting members e.g. a glazing chair and associated bead can be fitted together before the main assembly operation and cut to size. These complementary mounting members have a joggled cross-sectional configuration so as to add to their flexibility for clipping into the assembly. A system for clipping wall boarding to upright supports enables individual boards to be removed without progressive removal of all.

Description

PARTITIONING SYSTEMS

This invention relates to partitioning systems, partition walling, and systems of partitioning and partition walling. Aspects of the invention relate to the provision of controlled tolerances and flexibility in such systems, and likewise to the provision of systems for cutting to length and providing insert flexibility in such systems. A further aspect of the invention relates to a clip system and a shelving system forming part of a comprehensive partitioning system. In this specification sub-headings will be used to assist interpretation and identification of the relevant parts of the text relating to these aspects of the invention.

CONTROLLED TOLERANCES AND FLEXIBILITY

In our prior British patent GB 2157336 we have disclosed a system of partitioning and partition walling having important advantages over previous systems, notably that by provision of what may be termed, for the sake of brevity, a "double clipping action", a proper positional relationship can be established between the main channel section mounting members and the associated mounting members, such as glazing bars, together with the glazing materials themselves and the panels of the partition walling itself, so that cumulative space requirements do not build up as successive panels in a system of partition walling are assembled. In one embodiment of the system disclosed in my prior British patent, the glazing bars, for example, are located entirely within one side of the channel section of a main mounting member so as to be unseen in use (which therefore permits offcuts of the glazing bars to be used) , and this positional relationship with the channel section likewise establishing the aforesaid proper positional relationship with panels and glazing materials.

However, the structure of the channel sections disclosed in our prior British patent, though establishing the above-identified important advantages in terms of ease of practical assembly of the partition walling and economy of materials, nevertheless have themselves certain shortcomings which it would be desirable to ameliorate. These include production costs and associated production difficulties including a tendency for a relatively high wastage rate to prevail in the extrusion of the channel sections. Moreover, there is a requirement for relatively low tolerances in the production of the channel sections, and this somewhat aggravates the above mentioned factors. It will be understood that the need for low tolerances is associated with the fact that the channel section and the associated glazing bars and other structures fit together in a clipping action, and for this action to be effective and easily carried out, the tolerances need to be within quite carefully defined limits.

Accordingly, we have identified a requirement for improvements in relation to our aforesaid prior partition walling sysrem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a system of partitioning or partition walling and equipment for use therein offering one or more improvements in relation thereto, or generally.

According to the invention there is provided a system of partitioning or partition walling as defined in the accompanying claims.

In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a system of partitioning or partitioning walling, as follows. The system comprises a channel section mounting member. This mounting member may, for example, comprise a generally H-section member, having two channel sections back-to-back, or may have alternative structures with one, two or more channel sections in various relationships. The system further comprises a complementary mounting member, such as a glazing bar to be mounted on or in the channel section mounting member. A further complementary mounting member or members are provided, such as glazing beads, to be mounted on the channel section simultaneously with the complementary mounting member. The channel section has inner and outer mounting elements capable of mounting the complementary and further complementary mounting members simultaneously so that the former of these has a proper positional relationship with the channel section and does not add to the cumulative space requirements of the partition walling system. The system is characterised by the feature that the inner and outer mounting elements of the channel section are formed at and in the inner sides of the walls of the channel section which actually define the channel section itself.

By providing the mounting elements in the actual walls which define the channel section, as opposed to providing the mounting elements in the inner portion of a double-wall structure defining the channel section, as disclosed in my prior British patent, the overall structure is greatly simplified and the shortcomings identified above are largely overcome. In one preferred embodiment, the mounting elements have a particularly simple form, comprising two inwardly (or laterally) projecting stop members, spaced apart in the direction of the depth of the channel section. Between the two stop members there is located a profiled portion providing a camming or guide action to facilitate insertion and release of the complementary mounting member (such as a glazing bar) which is inserted first.

The spacing of the inner and outer mounting elements in the direction of the depth of the channel section) is such that the simultaneous mounting of the complementary and further complementary mounting members is permitted. Moreover, the profile of the profiled portion between them is such as to provide a gripping action on a corresponding complementary mating formation on the further complementary member or members (eg glazing beads) which are mounted on the outer mounting members.

In an embodiment, the inner and outer mounting elements of the channel section are provided at the inner sides of the walls of the channel section which actually define the channel section itself. In one embodiment these mounting elements are formed integrally with the side walls of the channel section and constitute simply a thickening of the side walls themselves. In this way the flexibility of these side walls accordingly provides a controlled degree of flex permitting the necessary clipping action for assembly purposes.

In another embodiment the mounting elements are provided at laterally offset inwards positions. The offset is provided by inwardly projecting formations which serve to mount the elements on the side walls. In this form of the invention, the lateral inward offset, whether short or long, is provided by structure extending generally in the lateral inward direction whereby substantially no significant additional tolerance is introduced into the system because the lateral inward projection has substantially no flexibility in the lateral direction. This is to be contrasted with the above-mentioned prior proposal in which the mounting elements are carried by an inner side wall of the channel section which is connected to the main wall of the channel section along its length. Accordingly in this prior proposal there are two components of any lateral deflection which occurs, these being due to the inner and outer walls themselves, and possibly also to the integral joint therebetween. The present invention seeks to avoid these two or more components of deflection by substantially eliminating all such deflection except that of the main wall section.

In certain ones of the embodiments described below, there is provided in the main channel section mounting member a modification of the basic generally H-shaped section in order to increase stiffness. Such a modification is suitable for particular circumstances such as the mounting of heavy wooden doors. For this purpose, the transverse crossbar of the generally H-shaped section is modified so that, at its ends, it is provided with a generally T-shaped structure which cooperates with the mounting formations themselves to produce (by virtue of the combination of the head of the T with the conventional side wall) a hollow structure having significantly increased stiffness, for the purpose identified. It will be understood that such additional stiffness serves actually to enhance the avoidance of undue tolerances in the provision of lateral flexibility for the purpose of clipping complementary mounting members to the main section. Also, quite independently of the above-mentioned additional stiffness, the avoidance of the inturned and generally U-section double wall system permitting additive instead of subtractive flexure characteristics likewise is in accordance with the teaching of the invention.

A further factor in relation to the advantages provided by the cross sectional shape of the main channel section of the partitioning system, as against the prior proposals, includes ease of extrusion of the aluminium itself. By avoidance of the inturned double wall arrangement, significant savings in aluminium itself are achieved. Moreover by avoidance of a structure in which manufacturing tolerances tend to be additive, a greatly reduced scrap rate for unacceptable extruded products is achieved.

CUTTING TO LENGTH AND INSERT FLEXIBILITY

This aspect of the invention relates to the provision of improvements in relation to the system disclosed in our prior patent GB 2157336B in relation to the cutting to-length of the complementary mounting members, and the degree of lateral flexibility of these, which latter assists their snap-fit insertion into the primary mounting member.

Looking first at the question of cutting the complementary mounting members to length, I direct attention to Fig 38 of the accompanying drawings which shows a figure taken from my prior patent in which the primary mounting member 210 is shown with some of the components needed for a double glazing system. These include a panel 212 of glazing material and complementary mounting members 214, 216, 218, 220. These latter four components, are plastics extrusions providing, respectively, T-rails 222, 224 to support the double glazing panels (only one, 212, being shown) , and providing also the two glazing beads 218 and 220. These plastic components, together with a further glazing bead (not shown) have to be cut length to match the length of the extruded aluminium primary mounting member 210, and this cutting operation has to be performed for each length of the primary mounting member. Clearly some economy in the cutting operations would be desirable.

Turning now to the question of snap-fitting the complementary mounting members, there is shown in Fig 38 an indication at 226 of a glazing bar which fits between the mounting formations 228, 230 on primary mounting member 210. It will be understood that the transversely linear form of glazing bar 226 renders it relatively laterally inflexible for the purpose of insertion into the formations 228, despite being formed as an extrusion of plastics material.

An object of the present invention is to provide mounting members for use in a partitioning or partition walling system or the like, in which pre- assembly of complementary mounting members is possible to permit simultaneous cutting of two or more such members to length, and/or complementary mounting members having improved lateral flexibility with respect to insertion into primary mounting members and/or such components of partitioning or partition

• walling systems offering improvements generally. According to the invention there is provided, for use in a system of partitioning or partition walling or the like, the combination as defined in the accompanying claims.

In a preferred embodiment described below there is provided a system of partitioning in which the usual separate glazing bar which fits into the extruded aluminium main section, and has a T-section rail on which the glazing material sits, is entirely eliminated. In its place there is provided an extruded plastic component in which there is a glazing support region, usually provided in the form of a step. On one lateral side of this new glazing insert, there is provided an already integrally moulded glazing bead, in place of the separate glazing bead, which is normally snap-fitted into it. Then on the other lateral side, there is provided space for the insertion of such a glazing bead, the latter to be snap-fitted in the usual way, but in this case snap- fitted into the glazing insert.

As a result of the fact that these plastic components can be assembled or inter-fitted before assembly into the extruded aluminium main section, they can be cut to length prior to such fitting, which greatly reduces the complexity of cutting to size and generally matching the lengths of plastic extrusion.

Thus, in the case where a double-glazed assembly is being fitted, the pre-fitting of the glazing beads on each side of the main plastic glazing-support element means that, for each side of a glazed area, there is just a single pre-asse bled • plastic composite element to be cut to size, instead of three plastic extruded members to thus cut. As a result, to double glaze in this fashion, a rectangular area, only four cuts of the plastic materials are needed, instead of 12.

A further advantage provided by the described embodiment resides in the form of the extruded plastic member which provides a support for the glazing material such as glass. This extruded plastic member has a generally joggled form comprising two non-in-line portions linked by a flexible portion, whereby its flexibility to lateral compression is greatly increased as compared with the usual generally linear-section glazing bar. As a result, tolerances introduced during manufacture are of far less significance, and fitting of the plastic components is greatly simplified and rendered easier to accomplish.

To the best of the applicant's knowledge, the provision of a plastic extruded glazing support member including an integral glazing bead is novel in itself. Likewise, there is believed to be novelty in the broad concept of inter-fitting plastic glazing members, such as glazing beads, which can be pre- assembled and then cut to length before fitting into an aluminium or other metallic main section.

Also in a preferred embodiment, at least two complementary mounting members are adapted to be assembled one with the other prior to assembly with a corresponding primary mounting member, whereby said complementary mounting members can be cut to length to match the primary mounting member. This cutting to length can be carried out in the assembled condition of the complementary mounting members, and thus in one operation. The complementary mounting members serve to define a channel to receive a glazing panel. One of the complementary mounting members provides a glazing support region, corresponding to the T-rail provided in prior systems. The same complementary mounting member also provides an integral glazing bead. The other member provides a second glazing bead to cooperate therewith.

One of the complementary mounting members extends across the lateral v/idth of the channel in the primary mounting member and includes a stepped or joggled region between its two lateral portions, which region can flex to assist lateral compression of the member during insertion.

CLIP SYSTEM AND SHELVING

A further aspect of the invention relates to the provision of means for clipping the panels of a partitioning system to upright or other mounting structures. Previously proposed clip systems have involved end-location of clips into the wall boards, for example by a simple pressing or tapping/hammering action, and the subsequent mounting of the boards edge-to-edge with overlapping of the clips. Usually, the clips of one of^" the boards are secured by fasteners to the upright, and then those of the adjacent wall board, already inserted into the edge of that board, are assembled so that tongues or flanges projecting from these latter are located under the edge of the adjacent wall board, thereby securing both wall boards to the upright support. As a result, individual boards cannot be removed when desired, for example after damage has occurred, and for removal to take place it has been necessary to disassemble an entire wall section from one end to the other.

An object of this aspect of the present invention is to provide apparatus for mounting wall boarding against supports therefor in a partitioning or partition walling assembly, as defined in the accompanying claims.

In an embodiment of this further aspect of the present invention there is provided a mounting strip for location between the confronting edges of adjacent wall panels. The strip spaces apart these edges so that an individual panel can nevertheless be detached because its mounting clips do not overlap in the manner previously considered essential. Moreover, the mounting strip may be provided with means for supporting shelves thereon. A third function of the mounting strip is to provide a suitable support and location for fasteners whereby the mounting strip and thus the wall board mounting clips are secured to uprights or other structural elements of the partitioning system.

By providing mounting strips as defined above, and associated clips, the previously accepted disadvantage of inability to disassemble wall panels one at a time is overcome while simultaneously offering the possibility of self mounting and providing availability of an aesthetically acceptable presentation of the fasteners needed to mount the system against, for example, steel uprights.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :- CONTROLLED TOLERANCES AND FLEXIBILITY

Fig 1 shows a section through a three-way channel section mounting member;

Fig 2 shows a corresponding section through an inclined two way channel section mounting member;

Fig 3 shows a complementary mounting member;

Fig 4 shows, on a larger scale; a detail of the complementary member of Fig 3 ;

Fig 5 shows a further alternative right - angle two-way mounting member;

Fig 6 shows a single channel section mounting member;

Figs 7 and 7A show a door stop forming a complementary mounting member and a detail of the mating formation thereon whereby it clips in position;

Figs 8, 8A, 9 and 10 show complementary and further complementary mounting members actually inserted into and mounted on the main mounting member of one of the preceding embodiments, Fig 8A showing a detail of the mounting elements on the channel section;

Fig 10A shows a cross-sectional view of an assembly similar to that of Fig 9 incorporating some detailed differences in the design of the mounting elements at the inner sides of the walls of the channel section, and Fig 10B shov/s, in a similar cross-sectional view, corresponding to Fig 10, corresponding similar modifications in the design of the mounting elements of the channel section;

Figs 11 to 27 show cross-sectional views of a series of channel section mounting members and complementary mounting members forming part of a complete system of partition walling;

CUTTING TO LENGTH AND INSERT FLEXIBILITY

Fig 28 shows a section through a primary mounting member and two complementary mounting members, these being shown positioned ready for assembly;

Fig 29 shows on a larger scale, details of the formations for two inter-fitting mounting members having a form similar to that of those shown in Fig 28;

Fig 30 shows a three-way primary mounting member and associated complementary mounting members for a double glazing system;

Figs 31, 32 and 33 show further alternative primary mounting members for use in the manner of Figs 28 and 30;

Figs 34, 35, 36 and 37 show alternative complementary mounting members for use with the primary mounting members of Figs 28 and 30 and 31 to 33; and

Fig 38 shows a prior proposal, as discussed above; CLIP SYSTEM AND SHELVING

Fig 39 shows an exploded perspective view of two wall boards and an associated clip and shelving strip system;

Fig 40 shows the assembly of Fig 39 in its assembled and non-exploded condition;

CONTROLLED TOLERANCES AND FLEXIBILITY

This aspect of the present invention is illustrated by reference to the embodiments shown in Figs 1 to 10B of the accompanying drawings.

It is first to be noted that reference is specifically directed to the disclosure in our prior British patent GB 2157336. That specification contains a full disclosure of a system of partitioning and partition walling of the kind with which the present invention is concerned. We have already highlighted above the distinctions between the present invention and the disclosure in our prior specification. We now hereby direct attention to the prior specification for a more complete disclosure of the mode of use of the partitioning and the partition walling, and reserve the right to import into the present application disclosure from the prior specification if necessary.

As shown in Fig 1, a system of partitioning or partitioning walling comprises a channel section mounting member 10. Member 10 provides three channel sections 12, 14 and 16 which are disposed at right angles relative to each other at three sides of a rectangular structural member 18. The channel section mounting member 10 permits three partition walls, or related structures, to be inter-connected at right angles.

The channel section 12 has side walls 20, 22 likewise, channel section 16 has side walls 24, 26, and thus channel section 14 shares the side walls 22, 24.

At or in the region of the outer end of each side wall 20, 22, 24 and 26 there are provided mounting elements to permit the mounting of complementary mounting members in the manner illustrated in Figs 8, 9 and 10. Thus, channel section 12 has mounting elements 28 and 30, channel section 14 has mounting elements 32 and 34, and channel section 16 has mounting elements 36 and 38. The details of the structure of the mounting elements will be described below with reference to Figs 8, 9 and 10.

It will be noted that in the case of the shared channel section side walls 22 and 24, these are provided with dual inwardly facing (with respect to the channel sections concerned) mounting elements disposed at right angles at their outer ends. This is unnecessary for the side walls 20 and 26.

Turning now to Fig 2, this shows a channel section mounting member 40 having two channel sections 42, 44 disposed at a 45 degree inclination with respect to each other as defined by the walls 46, .48, 50 of a triangular section structural member 52, corresponding to member 18 in the embodiment of Fig 1.

The walls 46 and 48 form base walls of the channel sections 42 and 4 and share a common base wall portion 54. The channel sections have side walls 56, 58 and 60, 62. Each of the side walls has its own inwardly-facing mounting elements 64, 66 and 68, 70, these being constructed as in the preceding embodiment. The mounting elements are thus formed at the inner sides of the walls and face inwardly for engagement with the complementary mounting members, to be described below.

Figs 3 and 4 show a complementary mounting member 60 and an enlarged end portion thereof respectively. This complementary mounting member is adapted to be snap-fitted into any one of the channel sections in the embodiments of Figs 1 and 2 in the manner illustrated in Figs 9 and 10. It will be seen that the main body 62 will, in its assembled condition, extend across and close the channel section while its own end or side mounting elements 64 (extending lengthwise of member 60 so as to form with main body 62 a generally shallow channel-section member) are positioned to snap fit into the channel sections. A profiled end face 66 on each mounting member 64 engages the mounting elements in the channel sections to exert a camming effect to permit snap-fitting into the channel section so that outer mounting element thereof can enter the recessed region 68 as shown in Figs 8, 9 and 10.

The embodiment of Fig 5 corresponds very much with the embodiments of Figs 1 and 2 so far as concerns general principles. Therefore, it will be described briefly. It comprises channel sections 70 and 72 disposed at right angles to each other. Mounting elements 74, 76, 78 and 80 are provided for each of the channel sections in a manner analogous to that of the embodiment of Fig 1. In the embodiment of Fig 6, a channel section mounting member 90 provides a single channel section 92 having mounting elements 94 and 96 located on side walls 98, 100 respectively.

In this embodiment, as in the preceding embodiments, the channel section member is formed as an extrusion of aluminium. The complementary mounting members which co-operate therewith are formed as extrusions of a suitable plastics material of the kind commonly employed in the art for this purpose.

Figs 7 and 7A show a further complementary mounting member corresponding to member 60 of Figs 3 and 4. In this case, the complementary mounting member 110 provides a door stop 112 projecting from the main body 114 of the complementary mounting member. Side (or end) mounting elements 116, 118 are provided and are constructed and arranged as described previously with reference to Figs 3 and 4, and function likewise.

Turning now to the structure illustrated in

Figs 8, 9 and 10, it will be seen that these figures illustrate best, perhaps, the mode of use of the invention in relation to the complementary mounting members.

In Figs 8, 9 and 10 there has been shown, in each case, the outer end of a channel section side wall 120, 12. This represents any of the channel section side walls described above with reference to Figs 6, 5, 2 and 1.

Located at the region of the outer ends of the side walls are the mounting elements 124 and 126. Each mounting element is provided at its own channel section side wall and faces inwardly thereof. Each mounting element comprises an outer mounting element 128 and- an inner mounting element 130. Each of these provides its own stop or ledge 132 and 134 respectively.

Between the stops 132 and 134, there is provided, a profiled portion 136 as shown in Fig 8A. The profiled portion serves as a ramp to assist removal of the complementary mounting members during disassembly, and likewise serves to complement and engage the mounting elements thereof, as described above.

It can now be seen from Figs 8, 9 and 10 how the complementary mounting members 150 and 152 are employed in association with further complementary mounting members 154 in the form of glazing beads. The glazing bar or section 150 is snap fitted into the channel section so as to be lodged at one side on the stop 134 of inner mounting element 130, and at the other side on the stop 132 of outer mounting element 128. In this position the glazing chair 158 itself is located wholly within the channel section to receive and support a sheet of glazing material. Then, the further complementary mounting member 154 in the form of a glazing bead with a lip 162 to engage the glazing material, is inserted. The glazing bead has inner mounting elements 164 profiled to fit against the glazing chair 158. At its outer edge, the glazing bead 154 has a mounting element 166 which is profiled to fit around the profiled portion 136 of the outer mounting element 128, and which also has a stop or ledge 168 to engage on the stop face 132. This defines the assembled position of the bead. In the embodiment of Figs 8 and 9, the glazing bar 150 has, effectively, its own inbuilt glazing bead portion 159 corresponding to the separate glazing bead 154 and having its own flexible lip 160 to complement the lip 162. Attention is drawn particularly to the assembled condition of the separate bead 154 and the glazing bar 150 seen in Fig 9 at the right hand side of the Fig 9 section where both the glazing section 150 and the glazing bead cooperate with the space between the inner and outer mounting formations 130 and 128 so as to be simultaneously located therein for the purposes described above. In this way, even when production tolerances in extruding the main section lead to significant departures in the location of the mounting formations from their predetermined positions, nevertheless the clipping action whereby the glazing bar and the glazing bead are located therein is not significantly affected, and these important parts of the structure are properly mounted.

Use of the system will now be self evident, taken in association with the description in our aforesaid prior British specification.

In the embodiment of Fig 10 the complementary mounting member 152 itself has mounting elements 170 which are shaped and profiled so that the main body 172 thereof lodges on the stop face 132 of the outer mounting elements 128, thereby providing a door stop 174, as described previously in connection with Fig 7.

Fig 10A corresponds somewhat with Fig 9, and Fig 10B corresponds somewhat with Fig 10, but these figures show modifications in the form and location of the mounting elements provided at the inner sides of the walls of the channel section.

Differences only will be described. The same reference numerals will be adopted as in Figs 8 to 10, where appropriate.

In Fig 10A, at the left hand side of the channel section the outer mounting elements 128 are formed integrally with the wall of the channel section, and likev/ise the inner mounting elements 130. On the upper, shallow side of the channel section member seen in Fig 10A, the inner mounting element 130 is constituted by the transverse web of the main channel section itself. At the other side of the main channel section the inner mounting element is provided quite separately as shown at 130.

The corresponding mounting elements on the right hand side of the channel section in Fig 10A are similar to those described in the preceding embodiments, being displaced laterally inwardly by virtue of a short laterally-extending web 180 in each case. This web has very high stiffness with respect to laterally-directed forces and therefore, effectively, the mounting elements behave as if they were directly mounted on the side wall of the channel section itself. Indeed, the spaces 182, 184 could be provided as solid extruded material, but this leads to extrusion difficulties.

In Fig 10B the general structure and arrangement is as described above in relation to Fig 10A, and the mode of cooperation of door stop 152 with the mounting elements is generally as described above.

In this embodiment, the profiled leading edge 186 of the outer mounting element 128 is provided to cooperate with the corresponding profiled edge 188 provided on the complementary mounting member to ease insertion.

Modifications which could be made in connection with the above embodiments include changes to the profile of the inner and outer mounting elements on the channel sections and the corresponding complementary shapes of the complementary mounting members which engage them.

Attention is drawn to the spacing between the outer and inner mounting elements 128 and 130 in the above embodiments. This spacing serves to permit the necessary mounting of the complementary mounting members in the manner illustrated in Fig 9, while retaining the desirable proper positional relationship with the channel section itself.

Figs 11 to 27 show individual cross- sectional views of channel sections and complementary mounting members for a complete system of partition walling. All the channel sections illustrated in these figures are provided with mounting elements constructed as described above and adapted to cooperate with complementary mounting members, also shown in this sequence of drawings, for the purposes described above.

Thus, Fig 11 shows a ceiling and wall head or end channel. Fig 12 shows a double channel section mullion or strong post having the transverse web or wall of the channel section bifurcated at its opposite ends to provide additional stiffness. Fig 13 shows a universal channel section. Fig 14 shows a 45 degree and 135 degree corner post channel section. Fig 15 shows complementary mounting members in the form of a single glazing chair and bead for a centrally-disposed glazing pane. Fig 16 shows a corresponding single glazing chair providing an offset position. Fig 17 shows a double glazing chair. Fig 18 shows a double glazing chair with a central rebate for an assembly of blinds. Fig 19 and Fig 20 shows skirting sections with hidden fixing details. Fig 21 shows a three-way Y-post which can be adapted by a curved infill to provide a 90 degree corner post. Fig 22 shows a standard 90 degree corner post. Fig 23 shows a three- way box post. Figs 24, 25 and 26 correspond to Figs 15, 17 and 16 respectively illustrating the corresponding sections in aluminium with rebates to receive rubber gaskets. Fig 27 shows a door stop section in aluminium.

CUTTING TO LENGTH AND INSERT FLEXIBILITY

In Fig 28 primary mounting member 300 is an aluminium extrusion having side walls 302, 304 and a cross-member 306 defining channel sections 308, 310.

Formations 312, 314, 316 and 318 are provided on member 300 to cooperate with corresponding formations 320, 322 on a first complementary mounting member 324.

The first complementary mounting member 324 is an extrusion of plastics material adapted to fit into channel section 308 or channel section 310 by engagement of formations 320, 322 with the corresponding formations 312 to 318 on primary mounting member 300. An upstanding portion 326 of mounting member 324 provides a glazing bead 328 carrying a lengthwise- extending flexible lip for engagement with a glazing panel (not shown) .

A second complementary mounting member 332 is likev/ise formed as a plastics extrusion and has formations 334, 36 to cooperate with corresponding formations 338, 340 on complementary mounting member 324. Broken-line arrows 342, 344, 346 and 348 are provided to identify where the various interfitting formations cooperate when assembled.

Second complementary mounting member 332 has a flexible lip 350 corresponding to lip 330.

In use, the first and second complementary mounting members 324 and 332 are pre-aεsembled in the manner indicated by arrows 342, 344 and are cut to length to match the length of the corresponding section of primary mounting member 300. Thus, just a single cutting operation is involved. The pre- assembled complementary mounting members are then inserted into channel section 310 in a single operation. Again, this represents economy of time and effort.

The same operations may then be repeated for the channel section 308 on the other side of primary mounting member 300.

Fig 29 shows details of formations 352, 354, on a larger scale, but corresponding to those seen in

Fig 28. The rectangular/angular format is clearly shown. The ramped portion 356 assists the snap-fit assembly of mounting member 358 onto the formation 352 on mounting member 360.

Turning to Fig 30, primary mounting member 370 is shown in association with first and second complementary mounting members 372 and 374 respectively. These components correspond to primary mounting member 300 and complementary mounting members 324 and 332 of the preceding embodiment.

Primary mounting member 370 provides three channel sections 376, 378 and 380. For each of these, provision is made for cooperation with the complementary mounting members, in the same manner as in the first embodiment by means of formations 382, 384 to cooperate with corresponding formations 386, 388 in the manner indicated by broken arrows 190, 192.

In this embodiment, the first complementary mounting member 372 provides shoulders 394, 396 to receive glazing panels (not shown) . For each of these, a second complementary mounting member 374 (only one shown) is provided, each with its own lip 398 and received in channels 400, 402 formed in member 372.

This embodiment provides for a double-glazed assembly, but otherwise is assembled and operates in substantially the same manner as the embodiment of Fig 28.

Figs 31, 32 and 33 show three further alternative primary mounting members 404, 406 and 408 which accommodate different angular and/or positional dispositions of the panels joined, but otherwise are constructed and operate in a manner very analogous to that described above in relation to Figs 28 and 30. Figs 34, 35, 36 and 37 show complementary mounting members 410, 414, 414 and 416 for use with the primary mounting members 300, 370 and 404 to 408. These complementary mounting members do not pre- assemble with other such members, but simply serve to provide other desirable facilities for the partition walling system, these including door abutments (Fig 34 and 35) and channel section infills (Fig 37) .

Many modifications can be made in the above embodiments while remaining within the scope of the invention, these including considerable modification of the formations adopted for engagement and assembly of the primary and secondary mounting members, and other details of the shape and form of the elements of the system.

CLIP SYSTEM AND SHELVING

In the embodiment of Figs 39 and 40, apparatus 500 for mounting wall boarding 502, 504 against upstanding supports 506 therefor in a partitioning assembly comprises clip members 508 and mounting strips 501.

Clip members 508 are formed from sheet metal and are adapted to be secured to the v/all boarding

502, 504 by the provision of down-turned teeth 512 which are formed with points so that they can be tapped into the edges of wall boarding 502, 504.

The clip members have planar faces 514 to lie against the flat side faces of the wall boarding.

A projecting tongue 516 has an upturned end 518 which 'is so located as to define, with the oppositely-facing end faces 520 of teeth 512, a space to receive mounting strip 510, as will be described.

In use, fasteners in the form of screws (not shown) are located in suitably profiled openings 522 in mounting strip 510 and served to mount the mounting strip in its defined location on support 506 with the tongues 516 of clip members 508 located behind the mounting strip with end faces 520 lodged against the respective side faces of the mounting strip. This assembled condition is shown in Fig 40.

It will be understood that with the above- described arrangement of tongues 516 and their associated upturned ends 518, the arrangement is such that the tongues of the clip members on one wall panel do not extend under the adjacent wall panel, and each of the adjacent wall panels can be removed after removing the mounting strip 510 between the wall panels, without removing the other wall panel. Previously, it has been necessary to remove each of a sequence of wall panels up to a given damaged wall panel, in order to remove the latter.

Mounting strips 510 have lengthwise extending slots to receive brackets of a shelving system (not shown) , or for hung furniture of storage wall systems.

Claims

CONTROLLED TOLERANCES AND FLEXIBILITY

1 A system of partitioning or partition walling comprising a channel section mounting member, a complementary mounting member to be mounted on or in the channel section mounting member, a further complementary mounting member or members, to be mounted on the channel section simultaneously with the complementary mounting member, the channel section having inner and outer mounting elements capable of mounting the complementary and further complementary mounting members simultaneously so that the former of these has a proper positional relationship with the channel section and does not add to the cumulative space requirements of the partition walling system, characterised by the feature that said inner and outer mounting elements of the channel section are provided at the inner sides of the walls of the channel section which actually define the channel section itself.

2 A system of partitioning or partition walling characterised by inner and outer mounting elements of a channel section being provided at the inner sides of the walls of the channel section.

3 A system according to claim 1 characterised by said mounting elements comprising two inwardly or laterally projecting stop members, said stop members being spaced apart in the direction of the depth of the channel section.

4 A system according to claim 1 or claim 3 characterised by a profiled portion being provided between said inner and outer mounting elements to provide a camming or guide action to facilitate insertion and release of the complementary mounting member.

5 A system according to claim 4 characterised by the profile of said profiled portion being such as to provide a gripping action on a corresponding complementary mating formation on the further complementary member or members.

6 A system according to claim 1 characterised by said complementary mounting member comprising a glazing bar.

7 A system according to claim 6 characterised by said complementary mounting member itself comprising a glazing bead at one side and having provision to receive a separate glazing bead at its other side.

8 A system according to claim 1 characterised by said further complementary mounting member comprising a glazing bead.

CUTTING TO LENGTH AND INSERT FLEXIBILITY

9 For use in a system of partitioning or partition walling or the like, for mounting walling and/or glazing and/or other panels :_

a) a primary mounting member, for example a metallic extruded member of channel section form, to receive on or more of said panels; and

b) at least two complementary mounting members, for example plastic extruded members, adapted for assembly with said primary mounting member to cooperate therewith in receiving and supporting said one or more of said panels;

characterised by

c) said at least two complementary mounting members are adapted to be assembled one with the other prior to assembly with said primary mounting member, whereby said complementary mounting members can be cut to length to match said primary mounting member in the assembled condition of said complementary mounting members, in one cutting operation.

10 For use in a system of partitioning or partition walling, at least two complementary mounting members adapted to be assembled one with the other prior to assembly with a primary mounting member, whereby the complementary mounting members can be cut to length in pre-assembled condition.

11 The combination of claim 10 characterised by said complementary mounting members being adapted to snap-fit into each other.

12 The combination of claim 11 characterised in that said complementary mounting members assemble with each other to define a channel to receive a glazing panel.

13 The combination of claim 12 characterised by one of said complementary mounting members providing a glazing support region.

14 The combination of claim 13 characterised by said one complementary mounting member providing a glazing bead. 15 The combination of claim 9 characterised in that said one of said complementary mounting members which extends across the width of a channel defined by said channel is said primary mounting member includes a stepped or joggled region between two laterally extending portions of the complementary mounting member, which region can readily flex to assist assembly into the primary mounting member.

16 For use in a system of partitioning or partition walling or the like for mounting walling and/or glazing and/or other panels, the combination of

a) a primary mounting member, for example a metallic extruded member of channel section form, to receive one or more of said panels; and

b) at least one complementary mounting member, for example a plastic extruded member, adapted for assembly with said primary mounting member to cooperate therewith in receiving and supporting one or more of said panels;

characterised by

c) said complementary mounting member extending across the width of said channel in said primary mounting member and including a stepped or joggled region between two laterally extending portions, which region can readily flex to assist assembly into said primary mounting member.

17 The combination of claim 16 characterised by said complementary mounting member itself providing a glazing bead at one side of its structure.

CLIP SYSTEM AND SHELVING

18 Apparatus for mounting wall boarding against upstanding supports therefor in a partitioning or partition walling assembly, the apparatus comprising

a) clip members adapted to be secured to said wall boarding and to mount same against said support; and

b) fastener means to secure said clip members in their mounted positions;

characterised by

c) a mounting strip for location between the confronting edges of tv/o adjacent wall panels boards in said walling assembly;

d) said clip members comprising projecting tongue or flange members to locate behind said mounting strip;

e) said fastener means serving, in use, to mount said mounting strip in its said location with said tongues or flanges of said clip members located behind said strip; and

f) said projecting tongue or flange members being so constructed that said tongue or flange members on one wall board do not extend under the adjacent wall board, and each of said adjacent wall boards can be removed after removing the mounting strip therebetween and without removing the other wall board.

19 Apparatus for mounting wall boarding against upstanding supports therefor in a partitioning or partition walling assembly characterised by a mounting strip and associated clip members having projecting tongues which locate behind the mounting strip in use.

20 Apparatus according to claim 18 characterised by said projecting tongues of said clip members having upturned ends to locate around said mounting strip.

21 Apparatus according to claim 20 characterised by said mounting strip being of such width as to fill the space defined by the upturned ends of said tongues of said clip members.

22 Apparatus according to claim 21 characterised by said mounting strip having openings adapted to receive mounting brackets for shelving or like structures.