WO2006003007A1

WO2006003007A1 - Partition wall system for offices and the like

Info

Publication number: WO2006003007A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/007303
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luis Viegas; Jean-Marc Oberle
Original assignee: Steelcase S.A.
Priority date: 2004-07-07
Filing date: 2005-07-06
Publication date: 2006-01-12
Also published as: AU2005259324B2; AU2005259324A1

Abstract

Partition wall system for offices and the like based on laterally closable partition wall elements, each of which is formed from two uprights and cross-beams that interconnect them, which are formed of hollow profiles, particularly formed by multi chamber profiles, whereby at least a part of the cross-beams of the system is connectable on both sides of its end-faces to lateral connecting rods to form a self-contained assembly unit (so-called fence), which may be releasably fastened to adjacent uprights via said lateral connecting rods and has at least one ribbon defined by two adjacent cross-beams and that the uprights are provided with slots continuous over the length for accommodating connecting rods, into which slots the connecting rods are insertable.

Description

Partition Wall System for Offices and the like

The invention relates to a partition wall system for offices and the like with laterally clos- able partition wall elements according to the preamble of claim 1.

Partition wall system for offices and the like are as a rule made of several partition wall elements that can be connected to one another in various configurations, to design corre¬ sponding work places in offices. Essential criteria for such partition wall systems are easy assembly, broad variability, so that modifications are possible later on, as well as appealing optical design, so that additional claddings and covers of such partition wall elements are not required. Corresponding partition wall systems are generally known, as e.g. from US- PS 5,394,658 describing partition wall elements that are formed by vertical uprights, which are connected to one another by profile-like cross-beams. The actual visible surface of the partition wall elements is formed by panel walls that can be clipped on and which basically result in a flush formation of both front surfaces of the partition wall elements. As it can be seen, the partition wall elements can be arranged in series along a plane for forming a parti¬ tion wall, however, their end faces can also be arranged adjacent via a corner to one another, to create individually designed work places.

Furthermore, partition wall element systems (US 6,286,276 Bl) are known, where the indi¬ vidual partition wall elements are each formed by individual modules arranged on top of one another, whereby each is formed by support frames comprising vertical profiled rods and transversal profiled rods. Corresponding panel walls can be clipped on both sides of the support frames. For forming the partition wall elements said modules are mounted on top of one another and are interconnected due to appropriate fastening means longitudinally to the transversal profiled rods. This leads to a broad variability of such a partition wall element system, however, structure and assembly are of a great extent. Corresponding support frame modules for forming partition wall elements are known from US-PS 4,631,881, that are formed by vertical profiled rods and therewith connected cross-profiles, which are inter¬ locked for forming the frame element. Said frame elements are screwed together with verti¬ cal support frames, that are provided with corresponding openings along the entire length of the rod. For forming the partition wall elements said modules are mounted on top of one another, screwed together, whereby the vertical profiled rods are then accommodated in a hollow profile, that is made of two halves and can be clipped together, and are encased therewith.

US 6,367,213 Bl describes partition wall elements, where each is formed by several spaced vertical profiled rods, which are interconnected by transversal profiled webs to a support frame. Consoles are mounted at appropriate height on the vertical support rods, onto which the panel wall can be clipped.

A partition wall element system is known from US-PS 5,524,402, where partition wall ele¬ ments are formed by vertical profiled rods, which are interconnected via cross-beams to a support frame. The cross-beams are hereby multi-chamber hollow profiles. The cross-beams are hereby screwed or clenched together with the vertical profiled rods. The vertical profiled rods and the cross-beams can be extruded from metal, preferably aluminium. For forming the support frame, the profiled rods are length-over provided with fastening openings, which are equally spaced to one another. Furthermore both the end faces of the vertical profiled rods and the end faces of the cross-beams are provided with notches or slots for sticking the vertical profiled rods and the cross-beams together. The lateral connection of such partition wall elements for forming a partition wall is effected by separate vertical connection ele¬ ments or profile-like vertical uprights, which are screwed together with the vertical profiled rods. This structure of such a partition wall element system is also of great extent and makes assembly complicated. Particularly the profiled rods and cross-beams formed by extrusion have to be provided on their end faces with corresponding connecting notches or connecting slots in a subsequent work step. The fastening openings on the vertical profiled rods also have to be produced in a separate work step.

Object of the invention is to create a partition wall system for offices and the like that en¬ ables quick and easy assembly on the spot, manages with preferably few assembly parts and features a broad variability. The problem is solved according to invention by the features of the characterizing part of claim I₅ whereby further developments of the invention for that purpose are characterized by the features in the sub-claims.

According to invention independent assembly units (so-called fences) are provided, that are formed by cross-beams and connecting rods, whereby the cross-beams are interconnected on both sides of their end faces with lateral connecting rods to form an assembly unit. Con¬ nection onto the uprights of the partition wall system is effected only via the lateral connect¬ ing rods, for which purpose the uprights are provided with continuous slots for accommoda¬ tion of the connecting rods, in which the connecting rods are insertable and releasably fas¬ tened. According to invention both the cross-beams and the uprights can be produced by extrusion, preferably made of aluminium, however, due to engagement of the connecting rods of said fences with the continuous and longitudinally extending slots in the uprights and cross-beams, the end faces of the cross-beams and uprights do not need to be processed separately. Connection is rather only effected by connecting rods frontally adjacent to the cross-beams, which are without further ado insertable into corresponding slots of the up¬ rights. Fastening of the connecting rods on the uprights is preferably effected by quick- action closure means, so that assembly on the spot is only effected by connecting and fas¬ tening of assembly units between adjacent uprights. The assembly units respectively fences may hereby be prefabricated in the plant, so that on the spot the assembly units only have to be inserted into the corresponding slots of the uprights and locked by the quick-action clo¬ sure means. Demounting of such a partition wall system in case of work place modifications is therefore also easily possible any without further ado.

Practically the assembly units are formed as a type of fence by one or several ribbons ar¬ ranged on top of one another. Hereby a fence, which is formed out of a ribbon, is formed out of two adjacent cross-beams, which are combined to an assembly unit by a connecting rod that is bridging the gap between the two adjacent cross-beams. Such assembly units respec¬ tively fences are provided preferably in units with one to three ribbons. In the case of two or three ribbons the assembly units comprise three or four cross-beams, which are on both sides respectively combined to an assembly unit by connecting rods, whereby the length of the connecting rods is respectively adapted to the height of the fence. Therefore a broad design of partition wall elements and partition walls formed therefrom is possible.

Practically both the uprights and the cross-beams are provided as multi-chamber hollow profiles are having slots in the side walls that are continuous over the length of the profiles, whereby said slots are adapted for that purpose and that preferably matching the width of the connecting rods. When mounting the assembly units and the partition wall element the connecting rods grip flush into the corresponding slots on the upright respectively the cross¬ beam, so that a stable fixation of the assembly unit and also of the partition wall element is effected. Due to this a strong load-bearing construction is made.

hi a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention the cross-beams are provided with continuous slots on the upper and lower end faces and the multi-chamber hollow pro¬ file of the cross-beams comprises between the slots a cross web that is continuous and pro¬ vided with a bore, whereby the cross web can be used for the screw connection with the connecting rods, without separately working of the end faces. Furthermore, the connecting rods are provided with grooves that are spaced according to the width of a ribbon of the fence and that in longitudinal direction of the rod comprise a width, which is adapted to the thickness of the cross webs. Therefore the connecting rods can be laterally attached as an assembly unit for the purpose of connecting the cross-beams without any work on the end faces of the cross-beams involved, whereby the grooves of the connecting rods fittingly overlap the cross webs of the multi-chamber hollow profile of the cross-beams and whereby the connecting rod is laterally partially inserted into the upper and lower slots of the cross¬ beams. The protruding parts of the connecting rods then grip into the corresponding slots in the uprights to form the partition wall element. This leads to a good interlocking of the components without any work on the uprights and cross-beams involved, which only have to be cut to length. This leads to a high variability. The formation of spaced fastening open¬ ings in uprights and cross-beams does not apply anymore, fastening is rather effected only by sticking the connecting rods into the cross-beams and uprights and subsequent locking by quick-action closure means, particularly quick-action closure means. Practically the slots in the uprights and cross-beams are formed as undercut grooves and the quick-action closure means comprise corresponding locking heads, that have a shorter width on their narrow side than the slot width in the uprights and cross-beams, however, are longer in their longitudinal direction than the slot width. Due to that the connecting rods can be inserted with the locking heads into the slots of the uprights, after which the locking of the connecting rods onto the uprights is effected by simply rotating the locking heads, whereby the locking heads then grip behind the undercut grooves in the uprights.

In a particularly advantageous way the closure elements are furthermore formed as quick- action closure elements, which can be connected with the uprights by a clamping effect, and the closure elements are unreleasably mounted to the connecting rods, so that the assembly units together with the closure elements may be prefabricated in the plant. Then, on the spot without any further additional fastening means the assembly unit just has to be inserted via the connecting rods into the uprights and the closure elements that are mounted on the con¬ necting rods are to be rotated correspondingly, so that clamping with the uprights is ef¬ fected.

Embodiments of a partition wall system are described below with the aid of the drawing, hi it,

Fig. 1 is a three-dimensional partial view of a partition wall element of the system,

Fig. 2 is a three-dimensional partial view of a further embodiment of a parti¬ tion wall element,

Fig. 3 is a three-dimensional diagram of an assembly unit, termed "fence", of the partition wall element illustrated in Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a further embodiment of a partition wall element with two ribbons,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through an embodiment of a cross-beam of the par¬ tition wall element system,

Fig. 6 is a sectional view through an embodiment of a further cross-beam,

Fig. 7 is a sectional view through an embodiment of a post, respectively of an upright of the system, Fig. 8 is a lateral view of an embodiment of a connecting link for an assem¬ bly unit with a ribbon,

Fig. 9 is a front view of the connecting link shown in Fig. 8,

Fig. 10 is an end-face view of the connecting link of Fig. 8,

Fig. 11 is a three-dimensional view of a part of a connecting link with the ac¬ commodated quick-action closure element, Fig. 12 is a detailed view of a upright profile with the inserted quick-action closure element according to Fig. 11,

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the upright profile shown in Fig. 12 with in¬ serted quick-action closure element in the locking position,

Fig. 14 is a three-dimensional partial view of an upright profile with inserted quick-action closure element according the embodiments of Figs. 11 to 13, Fig. 15 is a lateral view of a further embodiment of a connecting link for forming a fence with two ribbons,

Fig. 16 is a front- view of the connecting link of Fig. 15,

Fig. 17 is a lateral view of a further embodiment of a connecting link for ac¬ commodating four cross-beams to form a fence with three ribbons, Fig. 18 is a front- view of the connecting link of Fig. 18,

Fig. 19 is a schematic drawing of two spaced cross-beams for forming a rib¬ bon with accommodated panel, and

Fig. 20 is a sectional view of two spaced cross-beams of a ribbon with ac¬ commodated panel. Fig. 21 is a lateral view of the connecting link according to fig. 8 and 9 with therein taken up quick-action closure elements,

Fig. 22 is a top plan view onto the embodiment according to fig. 21,

Fig. 23 is a sectional view longitudinally to line A-A of fig. 21

Fig. 24 is a lateral view of a portion of a quick-action closure element, namely studs with locking head,

Fig. 25 is likewise a lateral view, however, rotated by 90°,

Fig. 26 is a view of the locking head (50) according to fig. 25 seen from the right side, Fig. 27 is a detail A from fig. 15,

Fig. 28 is a lateral view of a partition panel for shielding two adjacent work places,

Fig. 29 is a view of a respective partition panel with lesser breadth measure¬ ment,

Fig. 30 is an exploded three-dimensional view of a clamping block of said partition panel,

Fig. 31 is a horizontal sectional view along line E-E of figure 32 through a clamping block in an assembled position,

Fig. 32 is a longitudinal sectional view of a clamping block according to fig¬ ure 31,

Fig. 33 is a sectional view through a clamping block according to figure 32 along line B-B,

Fig. 34 is an end-face view of the clamping block shown in figure 32,

Fig. 35 is a detail C from figure 32 as well as

Fig. 36 is a schematic drawing of a clamping block in a pivoted position of the partition panel respectively partition wall.

Fig. 1 is a purely schematic illustration of an embodiment of a partition wall element 1, which is constructed from two vertical posts or uprights 2, of which only the right-hand up¬ right 2 is shown in Fig. 1, and from cross-beams 3, 4, 5, and 6 extending between the two posts or uprights 2. The end faces of cross-beams 3 to 6 are joined by two connecting links or rods 7 and 8 to form an assembly unit, which is called the fence unit or simply fence 9 and which can be attached to vertical uprights 2 via connecting rods 7 and 8. Connecting rods 7 and 8 are screwed to the end faces of cross-beams 3 to 6. Fence 9 in the embodiment of Fig. 1 thus comprises three so-called ribbons 10, 11 and 12, with each ribbon determined by two adjacent cross-beams, i.e. ribbon 10 by cross-beams 5 and 6. Adjacent ribbons are each connected by a common cross-beam, for example, ribbons 10 and 11 by cross-beam 5. To cross-beams 3 to 6 of fence 9 may be attached further components of a partition wall system by suitable fastening means, as exemplified by shelf bracket 13 positioned at the cross-beams, which bracket comprises a fastening support 14 with engagement holes 15 and a shelf arm 16, which can be connected to the engagement holes 15 via corresponding en- gagement formations. These shelf brackets 13, of which, for the sake of example only, four are shown in Fig. 1 in different arrangements at the cross-beams, serve to support shelves that are not illustrated. Fastening support 14 of shelf bracket 13 is hooked into or inserted into a slot 19, running the length of cross-beams 3 to 6, via a hook-in lip 17 formed at its upper end and an insert nose 18 formed at its lower end, with no other means of attachment being necessary for the shelf brackets, and these are otherwise slidable along slot 19 in a suitable alignment on the cross-beams.

Fig. 2 shows a partition wall element 1 with a fence 9, which is formed from a ribbon 12 from an upper cross-beam 3 and a lower cross-beam 4. Connection to fence 9 is effected via the connecting rods, which are laterally attached to the end faces of cross-beams 3 and 4, with only the left connecting rod 7 being shown in Fig. 2. A quick- action closure element labeled 30 is shown in Fig. 2 that serves to connect the assembly unit formed into a fence to a vertical upright 2. The function and design of the quick-action closure element 30 is de¬ scribed in more detail below.

A three-dimensional representation of a corresponding fence 9 with a ribbon 12 is shown in Fig. 3. Fence 9 comprises an upper cross-beam 3 and a lower cross-beam 4, connected to each other at their two end faces by connecting rods 7 and 8 determining the space between the cross-beams. The connecting rods are screwed to the end faces of cross-beams 3 and 4 by screws indicated with 31, for which purpose, as will be described with the aid of Figs. 5 and 6, the cross-beams are provided with corresponding cross webs.

Fig. 4 shows finally a partition wall element 1 with two uprights 2, and a fence 9, which here is formed from two ribbons 11 and 12 by means of cross-beams 3 to 5.

Fig. 5 shows a cross-section of the upper cross-beam 3. As can be seen, the cross-section has a T-shape and is formed as a multi-chamber hollow profile. The side faces 21 and 22 of cross-beam 3 each have a slot 19 along the length of the profile. Slot 19 is limited on the side by inwardly projecting ribs 23 and 24, with the free ends of ribs 23 and 24 forming catch shoulders for attaching further elements of the partition wall system, such as the hook- in element of the shelf brackets with hook-in lip 17 and insert nose 18 described with the aid of Fig. 1. In the case of a shelf bracket, hook-in lip 17 hooks in behind inwardly projecting rib 24, which is formed shorter than rib 23.

Further, the upper side 25 and lower side 26 of cross-beam 3 in turn have a continuous slot 27 along the length of the profile, which finds application for engagement, to be described below, with connecting rods 7, 8. Finally, cross-beam 3 has a cross web labeled 28 that is also formed continuously along the length of the profile and is provided with a bore 29.

Like the profiles shown in Figs. 6 and 7, cross-beam 3 is made by extruding metal, espe¬ cially aluminium, and specifically with a continuous uniform cross-section, such that the cross-beams can each be cut to suitable length and such that each end face is provided with the corresponding cross-section, i.e. especially slots 27, bore 29 and cross web 28. This is of advantage because it enables the cross-beam to be cut in each case to suitable length from one profile, and the end faces, which serve for engagement with the connecting rods, do not have to be worked separately. As described below, the connecting rods need only be ar¬ ranged via the end faces and are partly inserted into the profile of the cross-beam and the connection of the connecting rods can be effected by self-tapping screws 31, which commu¬ nicate with the bores 29 of the cross-beams. Slots 27 on the upper side 25 and the lower side 26 of cross-beam 3 are also limited laterally by inwardly projecting ribs 33 and 34, whose free ends form catch shoulders for fastening clamps still to be described with the aid of Fig. 21.

Fig. 6 shows the cross-section through cross-beams of a fence, which are each positioned beneath an upper cross-beam 3 in T-shape in accordance with Fig. 5. The cross-section of the cross-beam which is visible in Fig. 6 and which may be cross-beam 4, 5 or 6 from Fig. 1 has a multi-chamber hollow profile in square section, and specifically with rectangular cross-section. Since the cross-beams shown in Figs. 5 and 6 have a number of design simi¬ larities, the same reference numbers are used for the comparable parts in Fig. 6 as in Fig. 5. As may be seen, provision is made for slots 19 on the two opposite side-walls and a corre¬ sponding slot 27 on the upper side 25. Slots 19 and 27 are limited laterally by corresponding inwardly projecting ribs. As a modification of cross-beam 3 in accordance with Fig. 5, cross-beam 4 does not have a T-shape, but rather the lower side 35 of the beam is formed as a flat surface that neverthe¬ less has a slot 36 having the same width dimensions as slots 19 and 27. Finally, in the center of the profile is a formed corresponding cross web 28 with a bore 29.

Fig. 7 shows the cross-section of an upright 2, which is formed analogously as a multi- chamber hollow profile and has a square shape with a quadratic cross-section. Slots 37 are formed on all four sides of upright 2, which slots are laterally limited by inwardly projecting walls 38 that are provided with an outwardly projecting offsetting or crimp 39. This slot configuration serves to fasten a fence by its connecting rods 7, 8. The width of slot 37 is equal to the width of slots 27 and 36 and preferably also equal with the width of the slots 19. As can be seen, the profile of the uprights with the four slots on the four side- walls is de¬ signed such that partition wall elements or fences can be connected to all four sides by in¬ serting the connecting rods correspondingly. In so far, uprights 2 can be used to form the partition wall elements into a corner or to connect partition wall elements in series along a plane.

As can be seen, the described cross-sections of the cross-beams and their formation as multi-chamber hollow profiles yield a simple and lightweight construction of very great stability, so that the partition wall elements created therefrom are formed correspondingly stiff and load-bearing.

Fig. 8 shows a connecting rod 8 which is formed so as to accommodate two cross-beams to form a fence 9 with a ribbon 12 in accordance with Fig. 3. At both ends of connecting rod 8 is a groove-like recess 41 into which opens an aperture 42 leading to the other side of the rod, which aperture is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8. In the lengthwise direction of connect¬ ing rod 8, each accommodating groove 41 has a width matching the thickness of the cross webs 28 of cross-beams 3 to 6. The width of comiecting rod 8, as evident in Fig. 9 and, by analogy, also of connecting rod 7, is sized to the width of slots 27 and 36 on the upper and lower sides of the cross-beams, and specifically sized to fit in such a manner that the con¬ necting rods can be partially inserted into the end faces of the cross-beams, as is best seen in Fig. 3. The connecting rods with their accommodating grooves 41 overlap the cross webs 28 of cross-beams 3 and 4 and, as can be seen, connecting rods 8 are partially inserted into the end faces. Connection with the cross-beams is effected by self-tapping screws 31, which grip through apertures 42 and can be screwed into the bores 29 of the cross-beams. The unit formed as a result can be fastened to the uprights, and specifically again in the manner of an engagement connection on account of the rods 7 and 8 projecting partially over the end faces of the cross-beams in accordance with Fig. 3. Here, too, the connecting rod is intro¬ duced snugly into slots 37 of the vertical uprights 2, as best evident from Figs. 1 and 4 for the uprights 2 shown on the right. Fastening of said fence at the uprights is preferably made via quick-action closure elements to be described later on. Thus a partition element can quickly and easily be mounted.

Generally, the connection of rods 7 and 8 with uprights 2 is effected by suitable connecting means, with quick-action closure elements 30 finding preferred application in the embodi¬ ments illustrated. To accommodate these quick-action closure elements 30, the connecting rod 8 shown in Fig. 8 has on the side opposite the grooves 41 two grooves 44, which serve to accommodate a locking head 50 of the quick-action closure element 30 evident from Fig. 11. Fig. 8 shows two grooves 44 for accommodating two quick-action closure elements, with groove 44 being connected through apertures 45, which are shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8, to the opposite side of connecting rod 8 that bears grooves 41.

Fig. 11 shows purely schematically a section of a connecting rod, in this case connecting rod 8 with an accommodated quick-action closure element 30, which has a shaft 46 extending through aperture 45 into groove 44, which shaft is provided with a thread on the left section for the purpose of interacting with a nut 47 and finally with a shaped adjusting handle 48 after nut 47 has been screwed on said adjusting handle having a portion formed by shaping a deformation with a dimension bigger than the diameter of the nut bore. Thus the nut 47 is unreleasably attached on the bolt or shaft, preferably the shaft 46 is a forged part and the locking head 50 arranged opposite of the adjusting handle 48 is unitarily arranged at the shaft 46. Therefore the quick-action closure elements 30 are unreleasably mounted on the connection roads and will be supplied together with the connection roads. As may be seen from Fig. 11, between the base of groove 44 and locking head 50 is a spring 49, which presses the locking head outwards from the base of the groove 44. With insertion of connecting rod 8 or the section of a connecting rod projecting out from the end faces of the cross-beams of a fence into the corresponding slot 37 of an upright 2, the locking head reaches in behind the crimps 39 contiguous with the slot walls 38. Since the narrow side of the locking head is smaller than the width of slot 37, alignment of the locking head 50 in the position shown in Fig. 11 enables it to be guided without further ado through slot 37 with insertion of connecting rod 8. If shaft 46 along with the molded-on or positioned locking head 50 is turned through 90°, then locking head 50, which is longer than slot 37 is wide, hooks in behind crimps 39 by means of its end sections 51 and 52. When nut 47 is screwed on, locking head 50 is clamped against crimps 39, and specifically against the pre-tension of the spring 49, such that connecting rod 8 is clamped firmly against upright 2. For facilitating the insertion into the slots 37 of the cross-beams, the end sections 51 and 52 of locking head 50 are provided with leading tapers 53.

The mode of action of the quick-action clamp element is best understood by comparing Fig. 12 with Fig. 13, where Fig. 12 shows the insertion position of the quick-action clamp ele¬ ment into slot 37 of an upright 2, with locking head 50 aligned in accordance with the posi¬ tion in Fig. 11. Fig. 13 shows the quick-action clamp element after rotation through 90°, with the two end sections 51 and 52 of locking head 50 hooking in behind crimp 39. If nut 47 is tightened, locking head 50 is clamped against crimps 39.

Conversely, the quick-action clamp elements can also be loosened readily. To this end, nut 47 has to be unscrewed from shaft 46, which can then be turned with the aid of handle 48. As best understood by comparing Fig. 12 with Fig. 13, the handle has the form of an adjust¬ ing handle such that it simultaneously defines the position of the locking head so that the precise locking position or the opening position is identifiable without further ado from the outside.

Figs. 15 and 16 finally show a further connecting rod 8, which, however, in the embodiment shown, is formed for making a fence from two ribbons, as is evident, for example, from Fig. 4. In other words, connecting rod 8 in accordance with Fig. 15 connects three cross-beams with each other to make a fence, which is why three corresponding spaced grooves 41 are formed for bridging the cross webs 28 in the cross-beams when the connecting rod 8 is in¬ serted. Otherwise, connecting rod 8 is formed, however, by analogy with the connecting rod in accordance with Figs. 9 to 10, whereby, for each ribbon, i.e. between two grooves, in contrast to Figs. 8 and 9, provision is made for only one groove 44 and apertures 45 for ac¬ commodating a quick-action closure element 30. In this case, two quick-action closure ele¬ ments 44 are sufficient to provide a firm and secure connection between the fence, consist¬ ing of two ribbons, and the corresponding uprights 2. Since, in the embodiment of a con¬ necting rod in accordance with Fig. 8, a fence is formed with one ribbon, attachment of the fence to the uprights requires two grooves and apertures 45 for accommodating two quick- action closure or clamp elements, to effect a firm connection of the connecting rod to the uprights.

The embodiment of a connecting rod 8 in accordance with Figs. 17 and 18 shows a connect¬ ing rod that serves to connect four cross-beams 3 to 6 in accordance with the embodiment of Fig. 1, i.e. forms a fence 9 with three ribbons 10 to 12. Connecting rod 8 accordingly has four grooves 41 for bridging the cross webs 28 of the cross-beams for the purpose of end- face connection and three accommodating grooves 44 and apertures 41 between each of two grooves 41 for each to accommodate a quick-action closure element.

Fig. 19 finally shows the fastening of panels to two cross-beams 4 and 5 of a ribbon, whereby, to simplify the drawing, the connecting rods and the vertical uprights are not visi¬ ble. On the left side of ribbon 11, a U-shaped panel 55 is inserted between cross-beams 4 and 5 and held by clips 56, which are attached by a clip pocket 57 to an inwardly crimped end flange of panel 55. Clips 56 penetrate with a V-shaped snap-in projection 58 a corre¬ sponding aperture in the lateral panel flange and interact with a bead-like groove 59 with V- shaped cross-section on the upper and lower sides of cross-beams 4 and 5, as a result of which a clip-on connection for panel 55 is formed.

On the right-hand side, the gap between cross-beams 4 and 5 is bridged and closed to the front by a cover labeled 60, which is shown in folded-out position in Fig. 19. Cover 60 is fastened to the upper cross-beam 4 by a fastening clamp generally labeled 61, which is in- serted into a slot 36 of cross-beam 4 by a fastening shoe 62 and is held there and which, via clip part 63, keeps the upper end of cover 60 in its flapped-up position.

Fig. 19 also shows a fastening clamp 64, which is inserted via slot 27 into the lower cross¬ beam 5, which is fitted with a corresponding fastening shoe 65, whose narrow side fits through slot 27 and whose long side is longer than the width of the slot. Fastening clamp 64 holds cover 60 via a fastening clamp 66, not described in further detail, to which the cover is articulated.

Fig. 20 finally shows the attachment of a panel 55 between an upper cross-beam 3 and a lower cross-beam 4, with, in accordance with Fig. 20, the lower side of cross-beam 3 being fitted with corresponding bead-like grooves 59 for the formation of a snap-in connection with corresponding fastening clips 56, to enable the cover panel 55 that bridges the gap be¬ tween two adjacent cross-beams to be fastened. As can be seen, the main surface of panel 55 closes flush with the side walls of the upper and lower cross-beams 3 and 4. By contrast, in the embodiment in accordance with Fig. 19, cover 60 is clearly offset to the front, such that the space between adjacent cross-beam is increased outwards, so that cover 60, which can fold down, creates stowage space for cables and the like.

For better clarification the embodiment according to fig. 21 to 23 shows a connecting rod 8 according to the embodiment of fig. 8 and 9, however henceforth with therein unreleasably taken up quick-action closure elements 30. Hereby two quick-action closure elements 30 are used for this embodiment that serves as connecting rod for forming a ribbon with two cross¬ beams. To increase the stiffness hereby those regions of connecting rod 8 with the recesses 44 and apertures 45 for taking up quick-action closure elements are widened and supported by a flange-like shoulder to thicken said connecting rod 8 in these regions. From fig. 21 the tension spring 49 can also be seen quite clearly, which pushes locking head 50 towards the outside so that said locking head can grip into the groove located behind the slot of a cross¬ beam, as it can be seen quite clearly from fig. 12 and 13 and is also explained in this con¬ text. The closure element 30 described on the right in fig. 21 is shown in a locking position. Said locking position is also illustrated by the widened handle 48, which unreleasably holds 'the nut 47 onto the shaft 46 of quick-action closure element 30. In fig. 24 to 27 an embodiment of a quick-action closure bolt of a quick-action closure ele¬ ment is described, whereby it is obvious that the locking head 50 is provided with a groov¬ ing 72, ribbing or the like corrugation, as seen in detail in fig. 27, on its contact surface 71, with which the locking head 50 grips behind the crimp 39 according to fig. 13. Said groov¬ ing comprises projections and recesses, whereby the friction engagement respectively inser¬ tion between the contact surface 71 and the crimp 39, which is limiting slot 37 of the up¬ right, is increased.

Finally, from fig. 21 and 22 a longitudinal stop shoulder 73 and 74 can be seen, which is provided on both sides of connecting rod 8 and which is provided in the region of the re¬ cesses 44 for quick-action closure elements 30. Said stop shoulder 73 is abutting to the cor¬ responding outer surface of the upright while quick-action closure elements are fastened, to prevent deflection of connecting rod 8 under corresponding tension. Said stop shoulders 73 are also realized in the embodiments of connecting rods according to fig. 15 to 18. From fig. 21 to 23 furthermore result spigots 74 provided on both sides on one end portion of the con¬ necting rod, said spigots serving for correct mounting of each fence with one to three rib¬ bons in the uprights, so that e.g. the upper end portion of the connecting rods is upwardly directed during assembly and that the fence is mounted correctly, meaning not with its upper end downwardly directed.

Since the cross-beams and the uprights are preferably made by extrusion from metal, espe¬ cially aluminium, these each have the same cross-section along their length, as was ex¬ plained with the aid of Figs. 5 to 7. In other words, the cross-beams and the uprights can be cut into lengths or cut off and still each have the same end-face mechanism for connection with the connecting rods. For this reason, the length of the uprights, which determines the working height of the partition wall elements, can be set to any value, a fact which also ap¬ plies to the length of the cross-beams. Nonetheless, in a practice-oriented embodiment of the system, the cross-beams are made available in lengths between 800 and 2400 in gradations of 200 mm and the uprights are available in the range 900 to 1100 mm and in lengths of 2200 to 2400 mm. The width of ribbons 10 to 12, formed by two spaced cross-beams joined with lateral rods, is preferably 200 mm. Especially in the case of uprights of length 900 to 1100 mm, partition wall elements can be implemented at a height whose fence or ribbons for accommodating shelf brackets, folding covers, sliding tables and the like are arranged in a working height that is suitable for a per¬ son working at a table. The partition wall system is therefore especially suitable for open- plan offices in which work is divided into groups and teams, as these partition wall elements can on one hand accommodate system units, such as shelf brackets and the like, that are needed for office work and, on the other, permit communication within the group via the partition wall elements.

Figures 28 to 36 show a partition and shielding device for use on a partition wall system. Independent protection is also sought for said partition and shielding device, in particular for the clamping blocks used hereby. According to figure 28, the partition and shielding device features a partition panel, which in the embodiment displayed serves for separating and shielding of two adjacent work places and features a partition panel marked 70. Said partition panel 70 may feature a circumferential profiled frame 71 made of plastics or alu¬ minium or another suitable material, whereby the inner surface, which is marked 72, is sepa¬ rated by e.g. an acoustic or visual protection panel or the like. Partition panel 70 as shown in figure 28 may e.g. have a height of 1100mm and a length of 700mm. Favorably said parti¬ tion panel is alternatively offered having two heights, namely once 1100mm and once 900mm. Said partition panel 70 provides two foot elements 73 so that the partition panel 70 is supported against the floor.

Partition panel 70 may be arranged in particular on the vertical posts 2 of the partition wall system, for which according to figure 28 two spaced clamping blocks 74 are provided. Both clamping blocks 74 have the same structure.

According to figure 28 the lowest clamping block 74 is arranged in the area of the lower corner of the partition panel 70, whereas the second clamping block 74 is arranged some¬ what below the middle of the height of the partition panel 70. Such an arrangement of clamping blocks is suitable particularly for a partition wall system according to figure 19, where a cover marked 60 is provided bridging the upper cross-beams 4 and 5 of said parti- tion wall, outwardly and tub-like protruding over the outer surfaces of cross-beams 4 and 5 and being provided for taking up cable conduits and the like. Said cable conduits also have to be accessible on mounted partition panels, in case new cabling is laid. The arrangement of said clamping blocks according to figure 28 would therefore not block inserting new ca¬ ble conduits from the top if such a cover 60 is arranged on vertical posts 2 in the upper area of the partition panel 70. hi case that no projecting covers 60, rather basically flush panels 55 are used for a partition wall system according to figure 20, the second clamping block 74 could however be arranged on the upper end of the partition panel, namely close to the up¬ per corner.

Figure 29 shows a partition panel 70 with lesser length, e.g. a length of only 360mm, whereby only one setscrew 73 is used hereby. The arrangement of said clamping blocks 74 also correspond to the embodiment according to figure 28.

Figure 30 shows a clamping block for fastening a partition panel onto a vertical post 2 in an exploded illustration. Clamping block 74 is hereby basically formed by two elements, namely a clamping portion 80 for fastening onto post 2 and a pivotable portion 81 for taking up partition panel 70. Both halves 80 and 81 are connected by a stud 82, which at the same time is designed as a hinge pin, so that said pivotable portion 81 is pivotable around the hinge pin 82 relatively to clamping portion 80. For fastening the partition panel on clamping blocks 74 a screw 83 is respectively provided. Fastening said clamping portion 80 across from a vertical post 2 is effected by a locking head 85, said locking head being taken up by or formed on a bolt 84, whereby the narrow side of said locking head is smaller than the width of slot 37 of a vertical post 2 and whereby the long side of said locking head is formed correspondingly long, so that after engagement of said locking head 85 into the slot 37 and after rotation of the bolt 84 by 90° said locking head 85 grips behind offsetting 39 on both sides of the slot 37 and therewith effects a firm locking. Hereby a resilient pre-tension along the lines of the concept of the quick-action closure elements as described in figures 11 to 13 is also possible respectively also the formation of the locking head along the lines of the clamping element 64, 65 as described in figure 19 or a locking head according to figures 25 to 27, whereby this is in no case limited. Furthermore, it is practical, if a stop tongue marked 86 is provided in the upper area of clamping portion 80, said stop tongue centrally engaging via adjusted inclined surfaces 87 between slots 37 of post 2 and being adjacent to the groove walls 38 as marked with 38 above. Due to that a proper and steady support of clamping portions 80 on the vertical posts is provided.

For the purpose of pivoting, the pivotable portion 81 features a protruding engagement por¬ tion 88 engaging into a corresponding recess 89 of clamping portion 80 and there being connected by a stud 82 with said clamping portion 80, whereby, however, the pivotability of said pivotable portion 81 is provided. This structure can also be seen quite clearly from fig¬ ures 31 and 32.

Furthermore, a T-like recess 90 can be seen from figure 30, where, as particularly shown in figure 33, a spring 91 is taken up, said spring 91 having a projected nose 92, whereby said nose is outwardly protruding through a slot at the engagement portion 88, as can best be seen from figure 30. Said nose 92 projecting towards the front via the engagement portion 88 engages into a groove at the clamping portion 80, as seen in figure 33, and therefore en¬ sures the flush arrangement of the pivotable portion 81 with the clamping portion 80 accord¬ ing to the illustrations in figures 31 and 33.

However, in case a person accidentally bumps against a partition panel, then said pivotable portion 81 can be pivoted, since the spring nose 92 engages with the recess in clamping por¬ tion 80. Due to that injuries of a person or damages on the construction can be avoided. A respective pivotable position of a clamping block is illustrated in figure 36, whereby the pivotable portion 81 is here pivoted by 45° from the normal position according to figure 33 as to clamping portion 80. Afterwards the partition panel can be brought back into is starting position without any further ado, where the pivotable portion 81 and therefore also the parti¬ tion panel is arranged flush respectively in one axis with the clamping portion 80.

Furthermore, it is practical that the pivoting positions on both sides are limited, for example to an angle of 45°, whereto according to figure 31 a stop nose 93 is provided at the pivotable portion 81, as also seen from figure 30. Said nose works together with two limiting stops 94 on clamping portion 80, as can best be seen from figure 31. Further details of the structural design are self-explanatory from the very clear figure illustration according to figures 30 to 36.

Claims

1. Partition wall system for offices and the like based on laterally closable partition wall elements (1), each of which is formed from two uprights (2) and cross-beams (3-6) that interconnect them, which are formed of hollow profiles, particularly formed by multi chamber profiles, characterized by the fact that at least a part of the cross-beams (3-6) of the system is connectable on both sides of its end-faces to lateral connecting rods to form a self-contained assembly unit (so-called fence) (9), which may be releasably fastened to adjacent uprights (2) via said lateral connecting rods (7, 8) and has at least one ribbon (10-12) defined by two adjacent cross-beams and that the uprights (2) are provided with slots (37) continuous over the length for accommodating connecting rods, into which slots the connecting rods (7, 8) are in- sertable.

2. System of claim 1, characterized by the fact that the fence (9) has several ribbons (10-12) spaced above each other, of which two adjacent ribbons are each connected by a common cross-beam, with the ribbons on both sides being combined by the lat¬ eral connecting rods (7, 8) to form the assembly unit.

3. System of claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the fence (9) has one to three ribbons (10-12).

4. System of any of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that the cross-beams (3- 6) are formed as multi-chamber hollow profiles and whose opposite side-walls (21, 22) are provided with slots (19) extending the length of the profiles.

5. System of claim 4, characterized by the fact that the cross-beams (3-6) have slots (27, 36) on the upper and lower sides (25, 26, 35).

6. System of claim 4 or 5, characterized by the fact that the slots (19, 27, 36) are lim¬ ited by inwardly projecting webs, whose free ends form catch shoulders.

7. System of any of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the cross¬ beams have on their upper and lower sides on both sides of the slot bead-like and preferably V-shaped grooves (59) that are formed continuously along the length of the profiles.

8. System of any of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that a part of the cross-beams is formed as square profiles with rectangular cross-section and a part of the cross-beams as multi-edged profiles with T-shaped cross-section and that the in- sides of the profiles also have a continuous cross web (28) along the length of the profiles with a central bore (29) for connecting with rods (7, 8).

9. System of any of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the uprights (2) are formed as multi-chamber hollow profiles and have on each side-face a con¬ tinuous slot (37) extending along the length of the profile, which slot (37) is prefera¬ bly limited by inwardly projecting webs (38), which form catch shoulders (39) on the inside for fastening elements.

10. System of any of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that connecting rods (7, 8) for connecting the cross-beams (3-6) into an assembly unit (9) are sized in their width to the width of the slots (27, 36) on the upper and lower sides of the cross-beams and the rods are provided with recesses (41), which are spaced accord¬ ing to the width of a ribbon (10-12) and along the length of the rod (7, 8) have a width adapted to the thickness of the cross webs (28), such that the rods (7, 8) for connecting the cross-beams (3-6) into an assembly unit are partially insertable into the end faces of the cross-beams (3-6), with the rods (7, 8) partially gripping into the slots (27, 36) on the upper and/or lower side (25, 26, 35) of the cross-beams and their recesses (41) overlap the cross webs (28) of the cross-beams (3-6).

11. System of claim 10, characterized by the fact that the width of the slots (37) of the uprights (2) are adjusted to the width of the rods (7, 8) such that the rods engage with the slots (37) of the uprights (2) in the fastening position of the assembly unit (9) on the uprights (2).

12. System of claim 11, characterized by the fact that the width of the slots (37) of the uprights (2) corresponds to the width of the slots (27, 36) of the upper and lower sides of the cross-beams (3-6) and the width of the rods (7, 8) is adjusted to the slot width, such that the rods (7, 8) fit, i.e. may be inserted without lateral play into the slots (27, 36, 37).

13. System of any of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the rods (7, 8) are connectable by means of closure elements, particularly quick-action closure ele¬ ments (30) preferably through clamping action with the uprights (2).

14. System of claim 13, characterized by the fact that the quick-action closure ele¬ ments (30) have a locking head (50), whose narrow side is shorter than the width of the slots (37) of the uprights (2) and whose long side is longer than the width of the slots (37) of the uprights (2), such that the locking heads (50) of the quick-action closure elements may be introduced into the slots (37) of the uprights via their nar¬ row sides and may be locked following rotation relative to the slots (37).

15. System of claim 14, characterized by the fact that clamping of the locking heads (50) is effected by spring pretension (49) or by clamping cam with leading taper and that a screw joint is provided for applying the clamping force.

16. System of any of claims 13 to 15, characterized by the fact that the quick-action closure element has a screw bolt (46), which penetrates an aperture (45) in the con¬ necting rod (7, 8) and has a locking head (50) at one end, with the rods for accom¬ modating the locking heads (50) being provided with grooves (44) into which the apertures (45) for the screw bolts (46) open, which project into the grooves (44) with the positioned locking heads (50), with the screw connection in each case being ef¬ fected by a nut (47) which is mounted on the screw bolt (46) on the side of the con¬ necting rod (7, 8) opposite the locking head (50).

17. System of claim 15 or 16, characterized by the fact that the screw bolt (46) has a rotating handle (48) on the end opposite the locking head (50), which rotating handle (48) is aligned with the locking head (50) such that the rotational position of the ro¬ tating handle (48) also indicates the rotational position of the locking head (50).

18. System of any of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that at least one of the uprights has a length that is matched to the work-handling area of a person work¬ ing at a table in front of the partition wall element or sitting on a chair, preferably a length ranging from 800 to 1200 mm, especially preferably from 900 to 1100 mm.

19. System of any of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the cross¬ beams (3-6) of the system are of a length ranging from 800 to 2400 mm, especially in gradations of 200 mm.