WO2011046492A1

WO2011046492A1 - Screen wall locking member, screen wall locking system and screen wall system

Info

Publication number: WO2011046492A1
Application number: PCT/SE2010/051086
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kurt Aldén
Original assignee: Design Force Ab
Priority date: 2009-10-14
Filing date: 2010-10-08
Publication date: 2011-04-21
Also published as: SE0901321A1; SE534277C2

Abstract

A screen wall locking member (1a;1b) connectable to an edge portion (2) of a screen wall element (3) is provided. The screen wall locking member extends in a longitudinal direction (z) and has, in a cross-section to said longitudinal direction, a substantially U-shaped profile with two branch portions (5, 5) extending from a base portion (6), said U-shaped profile being adapted to receive the edge portion (2) in such way that the branch portions (5, 5) extend over a respective opposite principal surface (7, 7) of the wall element and the base portion (6) extends over an edge surface (4) of the wall element. There is also provided screen wall locking system comprising two screen wall locking members adapted to cooperate, a screen wall system comprising the screen wall locking member connected to a wall element, and a screen wall system comprising the screen wall locking system connected to wall elements.

Description

SCREEN WALL LOCKING MEMBER. SCREEN WALL LOCKING SYSTEM

AND SCREEN WALL SYSTEMS

Technical field

The present disclosure relates generally to a screen wall locking member connectable to an edge portion of a wall element, a screen wall locking system comprising two screen wall locking members adapted to cooperate, a screen wall system comprising the screen wall locking member connected to a wall element, and a screen wall system comprising the screen wall locking system connected to wall elements.

Technical background Exhibition centres housing large exhibitions with many participating exhibitors make use of screen walls for shielding and defining exhibition areas and booths.

When one exhibition is to be replaced by another in an exhibition centre, or if the screen walls are to be used in other exhibition premises, the screen walls first have to be disassembled into individual screen wall elements, which subsequently are reassembled in their new configuration and/or at the new location. It is desirable to be able to swiftly, and in a flexible, time and cost efficient manner switch from one screen configuration or exhibition premises to another.

Common screen walls used at many exhibitions today are comprised of wooden frames onto which wood boards are nailed to form the principal surface of the wall element. Individual wall elements are nailed together to form long screen walls of interconnected wall elements using hammer and nails. Exhibition booths, often rectangular or box-shaped areas, are defined by mounting screen wall elements perpendicular to a screen wall. Disassembling, rearranging and assembling wooden screen walls of this type is laborious, requires substantial effort and is destructive to the wall elements. The wooden wall elements are also heavy, making the process of moving and positioning the wall elements cumbersome.

Summary of the invention

Hence, in view of the above, an object of this disclosure is to present a solution overcoming or at least alleviating problems in the prior art. A more specific object is to present a solution facilitating interconnection of multiple screen wall elements.

The invention is defined by the appended independent claims. Preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims and in the following description and drawings.

Hence, the above-mentioned and other objects and advantages, which will be evident from the following description, are according to one aspect achieved by a screen wall locking member connectable to an edge portion of a screen wall element, wherein the screen wall locking member extends in a

longitudinal direction and has, in a cross-section to said longitudinal direction, a substantially U-shaped profile with two branch portions extending from a base portion, said U-shaped profile being adapted to receive the edge portion in such way that the branch portions extend over a respective opposite principal surface of the wall element and the base portion extends over an edge surface of the wall element.

According to another aspect there is provided a screen wall locking system for connection of screen wall element, comprising: a first screen wall locking member and a second screen wall locking member; wherein the first screen wall locking member has at least one first locking element arranged on at least one of its branch portions, and the second screen wall locking member has a second locking element arranged on an end of the second screen wall locking member, said first and second locking elements being arranged to connect to each other in such way that the first screen wall locking member and the second screen wall locking member interlock with each other. By interlock is here meant mutual locking, i.e. prevention or restriction of movement of the screen wall locking members away from each other.

Hence, when the screen wall locking members are connected to respective screen wall elements, also the screen wall elements become interlocked. The wall elements can thus be made simple and need not be physically modified in order to be securely connected.

The interlock may be in a least one, preferably both, of the respective longitudinal directions of the first screen wall locking member and second screen wall locking member, when the first and second screen wall locking members are in substantially perpendicular relationship to each other and the first locking element and second locking element are engaging each other. The perpendicular arrangement provides stability and is often a desired way of arranging wall elements upright on a floor, for example in order to form a corner or a T-crossing. However, the stability would be negatively affected if one wall element could be moved away from the other, which the interlock counteracts.

The at least one first locking element may be located at at least one of a center portion and an end portion of the first screen wall locking member in relation to the longitudinal direction of the first screen wall locking member, preferably there are at least two first locking elements, one at the center portion and at least one at one end portion. A center location is preferred when a T-crossing of wall elements is to be formed, while an end location is preferred when a corner is to be formed. It is hence advantageous with the at least one first locking element at at least both these locations since this makes the same locking element suitable to form both corners and T- crossings. The at least one first locking element may comprise a branch portion recess, preferably a through hole, and preferably located adjacent to the base portion; and the second locking element may comprise a protruding part extending from the end, and preferably from the base portion, in the longitudinal direction of the second screen wall locking member, wherein the branch portion recess and the protruding part may be arranged so that the protruding part fits the branch portion recess, whereby the first screen wall locking member and second screen wall locking member are interlocked in at least the longitudinal direction of the first screen wall locking member when the protruding part is received in the branch portion recess. This provides a simple yet effective interlock and allows for simple and cost effective screen wall locking member construction.

The protruding part may be provided with a protrusion arranged to engage with a lock surface of the first screen wall locking member when the

protruding part is received in the branch portion recess, in such way that the first and second screen wall locking members are interlocked in also the longitudinal direction of the second screen wall locking member. The protruding part thus participates in interlock in two directions, which, when the screen wall locking members are connected to wall elements, will be along the floor and in the plane of respective wall elements, that is, the directions where an interlock is particularly desirable in order to prevent accidental disconnection of wall elements. The protrusion may extend out of plane of, preferably perpendicular to, the base portion of the second screen wall locking member, and the lock surface of the first screen wall locking member is an edge surface of a base portion recess, preferably a through hole, adapted to receive the protrusion. Furthermore, the protrusion may extend a distance from the protruding part, which distance is greater than a distance from an edge of the branch portion recess to the base portion of the first screen wall locking member. This way, when the protruding part is received in the branch portion recess but the protrusion is not (yet) received in the base portion recess, the protrusion can abut on the base portion, thereby preventing the second screen wall locking member to reach a perpendicular relationship to the first screen wall locking member, whereby the second screen wall locking member become positioned tilted, or up-lift, in relation to the first screen wall locking member until the protrusion is received in the base portion recess. When the screen wall locking system is connected to upper edge portions of wall elements this feature facilitates connection wall elements according to the following: The second screen wall locking member is temporarily attached in a tilted, up-lift fashion to the first screen wall locking member already connected to an upper edge portion of a wall element. Then an additional wall element can be moved in and hold in position, whereafter the second screen wall locking member is moved so that the protrusion is received in the recess and the second screen wall locking member can be pushed down to receive edge portions of the additional wall element, i.e. connecting it to the second screen wall locking member. This manipulation of the second screen wall locking member can be performed by a single hand of the same person holding the additional screen wall element in position with the other hand. Moreover, the protrusion may extend in a plane of the base portion of the second screen wall locking member, whereby the protruding part has a greater width in a cross section than a smallest width of an opening of the branch portion recess of the first screen wall locking member. The in plane protrusion enables the protruding part to be pivoted "in plane" into the branch portion recess of the first screen wall locking member to make the second screen wall locking member attain a perpendicular relationship to the first screen wall locking member, the protruding part moving only in the plane of the base portion of the first screen wall locking member. This "in plane"- movement is advantageous particularly when the screen wall locking system is to be connected to lower edge portions of wall elements, where the floor and/or a wall element already connected to the first screen wall locking member may prevent movement in other directions. The first screen wall locking member may additionally be provided with a second locking element corresponding to the second locking element of the second screen wall locking member, and the second screen wall locking member is additionally provided with a first locking element corresponding to the first locking element of the first screen wall locking member. That is, the first and second screen wall locking members may be substantially identical in shape or at least regarding locking elements. An advantage from this is that only one instead of two types of screen wall locking members needs to be manufactured, and when screen wall elements are to be connected there is one less type of screen wall locking member to select from.

At least one, preferably both, of the screen wall locking members comprises locking elements may be symmetrical in relation to a symmetry plane in the center of the at least one screen wall locking member. Such symmetry facilitates manufacturing as well as connection of wall elements since one screen wall locking member can be used to connect wall elements in two directions, and it is of less importance how the screen wall locking member is oriented for the possibility to connect to another screen wall locking member or wall element to the locking element

At least one screen wall locking member may have at least one branch portion provided with at least one clamping member facing an inside of the U- shaped profile, said at least one clamping member being resilient in a spring- back direction that is perpendicular to the at least one branch portion. This provides for secure and tight connection of the screen wall locking member to the wall element edge portion without the need for any additional means for connection and securing the screen wall locking member as such to the wall element. The screen wall locking member can simply be attached by pressing or hitting the screen wall locking member to make the edge portion be received in the U-shaped profile and the clamping member engage with the wall element edge portion. The clamping member i.a. prevents, or at least restricts, sliding movement of the wall element inside the U-shaped profile of the screen wall locking member. The at least one clamping member may be located at an end portion of the at least one of the screen wall locking members, and preferably the at least one clamping member is at least two clamping members, one at each of the end portions of the at least one of the screen wall locking members. By "at an end portion" may be meant closer to the end of the screen wall locking member than ¼ of the total length of the screen wall locking member. A clamping member at an end makes it possible to temporarily attach the screen wall locking member to an wall element upper edge portion in a tilted fashion, then an additional wall element can be moved and hold in position, whereafter the free end of the tilted screen wall locking member can be pushed down to receive upper edge portions of also the additional wall element, thereby connecting the wall elements in series. The push down can be performed by single hand of the same person holding the additional screen wall element in position with the other hand.

Moreover, the at least one clamping member may be at least two clamping members located on opposite branch portions, preferably facing each other and the at least one clamping member may extend from the branch portion so that there is formed a minimum width in the U-shaped profile that is less than a thickness of the edge portion of the screen wall element to be received therein. The at least one clamping member may be formed from a cut out in the branch portion. According to yet another aspect there is provide a screen wall system comprising: a first screen wall locking system being a screen wall locking system according to the above and a first and a second wall element; wherein the first screen wall locking member of the first screen wall locking system is connected to an upper or lower edge portion of the first wall element and the second screen wall locking member of the first screen wall locking system is connected to a corresponding upper or lower edge portion of the second wall element. The screen wall system may further comprise a second screen wall locking system being a screen wall locking system according to the above; wherein the first screen wall locking system is an upper screen wall locking system, the first and second screen wall locking members thereof being connected to respective upper edge portions of the first and second wall element, and wherein the second screen wall locking system is a lower screen wall locking system, the first and second screen wall locking members thereof being connected to respective lower edge portions of the first and second wall element.

According to a further aspect there is provided a screen wall system

comprising: a first screen wall locking member being a screen wall locking member according to the above; and a first wall element; wherein the first screen wall locking member is an upper screen wall locking member connected to an upper edge portion of the first wall element.

The screen wall system may further comprise a second wall element, the first screen wall locking member being additionally connected to an upper edge portion of the second wall element, thereby connecting the two wall elements serially.

Moreover, the screen wall system may further comprise: a second screen wall locking member, the first and second screen wall locking member forming a screen wall locking system according to the above; and a third wall element; wherein the second locking member is connected to an upper edge portion of the third wall element and to the first screen wall locking member.

The wall elements may be based on a card-board material, such as Re- board®.

Brief description of the drawings The above, as well as other aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non- limited detailed description, with reference to the appended schematic drawings.

Fig. 1 a is a side view of a screen wall system comprising two wall elements serially interconnected by upper and lower screen wall locking members. Fig. 1 b is a top-view of the screen wall system in Fig. 1 a.

Fig. 1 c is a vertical cross section, marked A-A, of the screen wall system in Fig. 1 a.

Fig. 1 d is a top-view of the screen wall system where additionally a third wall element has been perpendicularly interconnected by screen wall locking members, forming a screen wall T-cross.

Fig. 1 e is a top-view of another screen wall system comprising two wall elements perpendicularly interconnected by screen wall locking members, forming a screen wall corner.

Fig. 2a is a top view of a first embodiment of a lower screen wall locking member.

Fig. 2b is a side view of the lower screen wall locking member in Fig. 2a.

Fig. 2c shows vertical cross sections, marked A, B and C, of the lower screen wall locking member in Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b.

Fig. 2d is a vertical cross section of a first embodiment of a lower screen wall locking system comprising two lower screen wall locking members according to Figs. 2a-2c, illustrating a situation where the screen wall locking members are interlocked with each other.

Fig. 3a is a top view of a second embodiment of a lower screen wall locking member.

Fig. 3b is a side view of the lower screen wall locking member in Fig. 3a. Fig. 3c shows vertical cross sections, marked A and B, of the lower screen wall locking member in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b. Fig. 3d is a vertical cross section of a second embodiment of a lower screen wall locking system comprising two lower screen wall locking members according to Figs. 3a-3c, illustrating a situation where the screen wall locking members are interlocked with each other.

Fig. 4a is a top view of a first embodiment of an upper screen wall locking member.

Fig. 4b is a side view of the upper screen wall locking member in Fig. 4a. Fig. 4c shows vertical cross sections, marked A, B and C, of the upper screen wall locking member in Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b.

Fig. 4d is a vertical cross section of a first embodiment of an upper screen wall locking system comprising two upper screen wall locking members according to Figs. 4a-4c, illustrating a situation where the screen wall locking members are interlocked with each other.

Figs. 5a-5c show in side and top views how and in what order wall elements can be interconnected using upper and lower screen wall locking members.

In the drawings the same reference numerals are used for same, similar or corresponding features, even when the reference numerals refer to features in different embodiments.

Detailed description Fig. 1 a is a side view of a screen wall system comprising two wall elements 3, 3^'serially interconnected by upper and lower screen wall locking members 1 a, 1 b. The screen wall locking members 1 a, 1 b are connected to edge portions 2a, 2a^', 2b, 2b^' of both screen wall elements 3, 3^', thereby interconnecting the wall elements serially. Fig. 1 b is a top-view of the screen wall system in Fig. 1 a. Fig. 1 c, a vertical cross section, marked A-A, of the screen wall system in Fig. 1 a. Each screen wall locking member 1 a, 1 b is shaped as an open channel, i.e. extends in a longitudinal direction z and has a substantially U-shaped profile. Each screen wall locking member 1 a, 1 b has respective two branch surfaces 5, 5^' extending from a base surface 6. The U-shaped profile of each of the screen wall locking members 1 a, 1 b is adapted to receive respective upper and lower edge portions 2a, 2b of the screen wall elements 3, 3^' in such way that the two branch surfaces 5, 5^' extend over opposite principal surfaces 7, 7^' of the wall elements 3, 3^', and the base surface 6 extends over an edge surface 4a, 4b of the wall elements 3, 3^'.

Screen wall element may be connected at angles to a wall formed of serially interconnected screen wall elements, thereby forming crossings or corners.

Fig. 1 d is a top-view of a screen wall system similar to the one illustrated in Figs. 1 a-1 c, but where an additional third wall element 3^" has been perpendicularly connected thereto by an additional second upper locking member 1 a^", thereby forming a screen wall T-cross. The second upper locking member 1 a^" connected to the third wall element 3^" has an end portion connected to a branch surface 5 at a centre portion of a first upper locking member 1 a', corresponding to the upper locking member 1 a in the previous figures. Although not shown in Fig. 1 d, there are also corresponding lower screen wall locking members connected to lower edge portions of the wall elements 3, 3^', 3^".

Fig. 1 e is a top-view of yet another screen wall system comprising two wall elements 3^', 3^" perpendicularly interconnected by upper screen wall locking members 1 a^', 1 a^", whereby a screen wall corner is formed. Here a second upper locking member 1 a^" connected to a second wall element 3^" has an end portion connected to a branch surface 5 at an end portion of a first upper locking member 1 a^'. Also here, although not shown, there are corresponding lower screen wall locking members connected to lower edge portions of the wall elements 3^', 3^".

Figs. 2a-2b are a respective top view and side view of a first embodiment of a lower screen wall locking member 1 b. Fig. 2c shows vertical cross sections, marked A, B and C, of the lower screen wall locking member 1 b in Figs. 2a and 2b. The lower screen wall locking member 1 b may e.g. be any one of the lower screen wall locking members discussed above in connection with Fig. 1 a-1d.

The lower screen wall locking member 1 b in Figs. 2a-2c typically has a length in the longitudinal direction in the range of 200-800 mm, prefaerably 300 - 600 mm, and branch portions 5, 5^'are typically spaced apart by a width w typically in the range of 10-50 mm, preferably 15-40 mm. The width is adapted to a thickness t of the wall element edge portion to be received between the branch portions 5, 5^'. Preferably the width w is at least the wall element thickness, but is more preferably slightly wider, such as one or a few mm wider. The thickness of the U-shaped profile, i.e. a material thickness of the branch portions 5, 5^' and the base portion 6 should be sufficient to provide a functional and durable locking member. It should be understood that in a specific case the skilled person will be able to determine a suitable thickness based on this disclosure, the intended use of the locking member in the specific case and from the material of the locking member. However, typically the thickness is in the range of 0.5-4 mm, preferably 1 -2 mm. The locking member 1 is preferably formed from a single sheet of .material, preferably of metal, such as iron or steel, which may be cut, punched and bent to accomplish the features of the locking member 1 . This allow for relative simple and cost-effective production of durable and cost-effective locking members 1 .

The open end of the U-shaped profile of the locking member 1 b of the first embodiment is funnel shaped, with upper open ends of the branch surfaces 5b, 5b^' being outwardly inclined with an angle Θ that is typically in the range of 5-80°, preferably 20-40°. The funnel shape makes it easier to attach and connect the locking member 1 b to a wall element edge portion 2b.

The lower screen wall locking member 1 b of the first embodiment is further provided with floor secure elements 37, here through holes in the base portion 6, adapted for securing the locking member 1 b to the floor by e.g. a nail, screw or other fastening means.

Furthermore, the lower screen wall locking member 1 b of the first

embodiment is provided with first locking elements being through holes 21 in its branch surfaces 5b, 5b^', the through holes 21 being substantially rectangular and elongated in the longitudinal direction z of the locking member 1 b. The through holes 21 are located adjacent to the base surface 6 at a centre portion and at an end portion of the locking member 1 in relation to the longitudinal direction z. The height t2 and width w2 of the through holes 21 may be in the range of 10-30 mm for a long side, preferably about 15-25 mm, and in the range of 1 -15 mm for a short side, preferably about 2-10 mm.

The lower screen wall locking member 1 b of the first embodiment is further provided with a second locking element, here a protruding part 22 extending in the longitudinal direction z from one end of the locking member 1 b, the protruding part 22 being an extension of the base portion 6. The protruding part 22 has a width W! and thickness t₃ that are less than the respective height t₂ and width w₂ of the through holes 21 , in order to enable the protruding part 22 to fit in such a through hole 21 .

Fig. 2d is a vertical cross section of a first embodiment of a lower screen wall locking system comprising a first and a second lower screen wall locking members 1 b^', 1 b^", which each may be screen wall locking member 1 b according to Figs. 2a-2c. The figure shows a situation where the locking members are connected and interlocked, a protruding part 22 of the second locking member 1 b^" being inserted in a through hole 21 of the first locking member 1 b'. The interlock being provided by that edge surfaces 12 of the protruding part 22 will engage with edge surfaces 1 1 of the through hole 21 when there is attempt to move the locking members 1 b^', 1 b^" away from each other in the longitudinal direction z^' of the first locking member 1 b^'. In other screen wall locking system embodiments there may e.g. be a first screen wall locking member 1 b^' having a branch portion locking element 21 but no end portion locking element 22 and a second screen wall locking member 1 b^" having an end portion locking element 22 but no branch portion locking element 21 .

Still referring to Figs. 2a-2d, the protruding part 22 comprises a protrusion 26 extending and having a curved shape in a plane of the protruding part 22 and in the plane of the base portion 6, the protrusion 26 making the protruding part 22 to have a greater width w3 in a cross section than the width w2 of the through holes 21 . The curved in plane protrusion 26 enables the protruding part 22 of the second locking member 1 b^" to be inserted by a pivotal "in plane" movement into the through hole 21 of the first locking member 1 b^', during which movement only the width w1 of the protruding part needs to pass the through hole 21 , despite the cross sectional greater width w3.

When fully inserted, that is when the locking members 1 ^',1 ^"are

perpendicularly oriented in relation to each other, the greater cross-sectional width w3 will accomplish a further interlock between the locking members 1 b^', 1 b^", preventing linear movement of the protruding part 22 out from the through hole 21 owing to that the protrusion 26 of the second locking member 1 b^"will engage with a lock surface 44 of the first locking member 1 b^', here an inner surface of the branch portion 5, adjacent to the through hole 21 . Hence, an additional interlock is provided also in the longitudinal direction z^" of the second locking member 1 b^".

As can be understood, the through holes 21 in the branch portions 5, 5^'of the first embodiment being adjacent to the base surface 6 reduces the risk of undesirable engagement between the protruding part 22 of the second locking member 1 b^" and a wall element connected to the first locking member 1 b^' when the protruding part 22 is being inserted in the through hole 21 of the fist locking member 1 b^'. By being adjacent to the base portion 6, the protruding part 22 can pass outside an edge surface 4 of the wall element. However, to better make sure that this may not happen, an inner surface of the base portion 6 is in the first embodiment provided with spacers 35, here ridges in the base portion 6, extending between the branch portions 5,5^'. The spacers 35 are distributed along the longitudinal direction of the locking members 1 at locations where there are no through holes 21 . Hence, a wall element connected to the first locking member 1 ^'will abut on the spacers resulting in a space between the edge surface 4 of the wall element and the base portion 6 of the locking element, in which space the protruding part 22 of the second locking member 1 b^" can be inserted and reside without the risk of engaging with the wall element.

Moreover, the curved protruding part 22 in Figs. 2a-2d is provided with a first fitting element 48, here a ridge that may be formed from punching, which first fitting element 48 is form fitted to and adapted to engage with a second fitting element 43 in the base portion 6, here a through hole, but can be any kind of recess. When the protruding part 22 of the second locking member 1 b^" is inserted in the through hole 21 of the first locking member 1 b^', the first and second fitting elements 48, 43 will fit and engage when the first and second locking member are in a perpendicular relationship, thereby assisting reaching and maintaining that relationship. Engagement between the fitting elements 48. 43 also contributes to the interlock in both longitudinal directions z^', z".

Figs. 3a-3b are respective top and side views of a second embodiment of a lower screen wall locking member 1 b.

Fig. 3c shows vertical cross sections, marked A and B, of the lower screen wall locking member 1 b in Figs. 3a and 3b. The lower screen wall locking member 1 b may e.g. be any one of the lower screen wall locking members discussed above in connection with Figs. 1 a-1 d.

The locking member 1 b according to the second embodiment has many similarities and features in common with the lower locking member 1 b according to the first embodiment as discussed above and shown in Figs. 2a- 2d, which e.g. can be recognized by the skilled person from the drawings. Hence, in order not to burden the skilled person with duplicate information, the following will primarily focus on differences between the first and second embodiment.

The main difference between the first and second embodiment of the lower screen wall locking member 1 b relates to the first and second locking elements and how these cooperate. Also the lower screen wall locking member 1 b of the second embodiment is provided with first locking elements being through holes 21 that are substantially identical to the through holes 21 of the first embodiment and positioned at corresponding locations. The lower screen wall locking member 1 b of the second embodiment is also provided with a second locking element being a protruding part 22 extending in the longitudinal direction z from one end of the locking member 1 b, the protruding part being an extension of the base portion 6. Here however the protruding part 22 has a tapering end and a maximum width w and maximum height hi that are less than the respective height t₂ and width w₂ of the through holes 21 , in order to enable the protruding part 22 to be inserted straight into such a through hole 21 .

Fig. 3d is a vertical cross section of a second embodiment of a lower screen wall locking system comprising a first and a second lower screen wall locking members 1 b^', 1 b^", which each may be screen wall locking member 1 b according to Figs. 3a-3c. Similarly as for the first embodiment the figure shows a situation where the locking members 1 b^', 1 b^" are connected and interlocked. The interlock being provided by that edge surfaces 12 of the protruding part 22 will engage with edge surfaces 1 1 of the through hole 21 when there is attempt to move the locking members 1 ^', 1 ^" away from each other in the longitudinal direction z^' of the first locking member 1 ^'. Still referring to Figs. 3a-3d, the protruding part 22 comprises a protrusion 26 extending from the protruding part out of plane, here perpendicularly, from the base portion 6. The protrusion 26 is in the second embodiment fitted with and adapted to engage with a recess, here a through hole 33 in the base portion 6. When the protruding part 22 of the second locking member 1 ^" is fully inserted in the through hole 21 of the first locking member 1 ^' and the locking members 1 ^',1 ^"are perpendicularly oriented in relation to each other, the protrusion 26 is received in the through hole 33. This accomplish a further interlock between the locking members ^'1 , 1 ^" , preventing linear movement of the protruding part 22 out from the through hole 21 owing to that the protrusion 26 of the second locking member 1 ^"will engage with a lock surface of the first locking member 1 b^', here an inner surface 34 of the through hole 33. Hence, an additional interlock is provided also in the longitudinal direction z^" of the second locking member 1 b^". Since the locking member 1 b of the second embodiment is a lower locking member, that is, for placement on a floor with the base portion 6 facing the floor, the protrusion 26 should be dimensioned and adapted so that the base portions 6 of the first and second locking members 1 b^', 1 b^" can be in the same plane, i.e. the floor plane, when the locking members 1 b^', 1 b^" are connected and the protrusion 26 is in the through hole 33. In the shown embodiment this is accomplished by the protruding part 22 being shaped like a hook, where the protruding part 22, being an extension of the base portion 6, starts to extend out of plane from the base portion 6, then in a parallel plane thereto and then again out of plane, ending in the plane of the base portion.

Correspondingly to the first embodiment, the second embodiment comprises spacers 35 so that the protruding part 22 and the protrusion 26 of the second locking element can cooperate with respective through holes 21 , 33 of the first locking element 1 b^' without interference with any wall element received therein.

Figs. 4a-4b are a respective top view and side view of an embodiment of an upper screen wall locking member 1 a. Fig. 4c shows vertical cross sections, marked A, B and C, of the upper screen wall locking member 1 a in Figs. 3a and 3b. The upper screen wall locking member 1 a may e.g. be any one of the upper screen wall locking members discussed above in connection with Figs. 1 a-1 d.

The upper locking member 1 a has many similarities and features in common with the lower locking member 1 b according to the first and second

embodiment as discussed above in connection with and shown in Figs. 2a-2d and 3a-3d, as e.g can be recognized by the skilled person from studying the drawings. Hence, in order not to burden the skilled person with duplicate information, the following will primarily focus on differences between the upper and lower locking member embodiments. Preferably the width w between the branch portions 5^', 5^" of the upper locking member 1 a corresponds to the wall element thickness instead of being slightly wider as for the lower locking member 1 b.

The main difference between the embodiment of the upper locking member 1 a and first and second embodiment of the lower screen wall locking member 1 b, relates to the first and second locking members and how these cooperate.

Also in the embodiment of the upper screen wall locking member 1 a there are first locking elements being through holes 21 , which may be substantially identical to the through holes of the first embodiment and positioned at corresponding locations.

As can be seen in Figs. 4a-4c the upper screen wall locking member 1 a is also provided with a second locking element, here a protruding part 22 extending in the longitudinal direction z from one end of the locking member 1 a, the protruding part 22 being an extension of the base portion 6. The protruding part has a maximum width w that is less than the respective width w₂ of the through holes 21 , however, the protruding part 22 here has a maximum height hi that is greater than the respective height t₂ of the through hole 21 .

Furthermore, the embodiment of the upper locking member 1 a comprises clamping members 23, here being partial cut out portions of the branch portions 5, 5, the cut out portions extending and facing the inside of the channel, i.e. facing an inside of the U-shaped profile. The cut out portions 23 are resilient in a spring-back direction that is perpendicular to the branch portions. In other embodiments more complex and/or discrete clamping members may be used, for example a separate resilient member or element attached to the inside of a branch portion.

The clamping members 23 are shown distributed along the upper locking member 1 a and on both sides of the channel. In other embodiments there may be fewer clamping members 23 and the damiping members 23 may not be distributed evenly or symmetrically. However, it is typically advantageous with at least one clamping member at at least one end of the upper locking member 1 a since this makes it possible to temporarily attach that end of the upper screen wall locking member 1 a to an wall element upper edge portion in a tilted, up-lifted fashion, which, as will be described briefly below, can be beneficial during assembly of screen walls. It is also advantageous with at least two clamping members 23, one at each end portion of the upper locking member 1 a, which enable the locking member 1 a to connect and hold two wall elements in series, i.e. connect them edge to edge, each end portion of the locking member being connected to a respective wall element.

As can be seen in Fig. 4c the clamping members 23 extends from respective branch portions 5, 5^' so that there is formed a minimum width w_min in the U- shaped profile, which is less than a thickness t of the edge portion of the screen wall element to be received therein.

In other embodiments there may be an upper locking member 1 a with no clamping member and there may also be a lower locking member having a clamping member. However, during screen wall assembly, as will be discussed briefly below, it is typically advantageous with a lower locking member having a channel width that is slightly greater than a wall element to be received therein. This typically makes it non-desirable with clamping members inside a lower locking member and it is typically sufficient to prevent a wall element from moving in the channel by an upper locking member having a clamping member.

Fig. 4d is a vertical cross section of an embodiment of an upper screen wall locking system comprising a first and a second upper screen wall locking members 1 a^', 1 a^", which each may be screen wall locking member 1 a according to Figs. 4a-4c. The screen wall locking members 1 a^', 1 a^", .are connected and interlocked, however yet only in the longitudinal direction z^'of the first locking member 1 a^'. The interlock being provided by edge surfaces 12 of the protruding part 22 engaging with edge surfaces 1 1 of the through hole 21 when there is attempt to move the locking members 1 ^', 1 ^" away from each other in the longitudinal direction z^' of the first locking member 1 a^'.

Still referring to Figs. 4a-4d. The protruding part 22 here comprises a protrusion 26 extending from the protruding part in an out of plane direction, here perpendicularly, relative the base portion 6. The protrusion 26 is form fitted with and adapted to engage with a recess, here a through hole 24 in the base portion 6. In the situation shown in Fig. 1d, the protruding part 22 of the second locking member 1 a^" is not yet fully inserted in the through hole 21 of the first locking member 1 a^'. The second locking member 1 a^" being in an uplift position in relation to the first upper locking member 1 a^' and a at an angle β greater than 90°, preferably substantially equal to or greater than 100°, 1 10°, 120°, 130°, 140° or 150° . The tilt, or lift-up, is a result from that the protrusion 26 extends a distance hi from the protruding part 22, which is greater than a distance h₂ from an edge of the branch portion recess 21 to the base portion 6 of the first upper screen wall locking member 1 a^' and greater than the height t₂ of the through hole 21 . Owing to the latter, the protruding part 22 have to be inserted tilted, with the end of the protrusion 26 first, into the through hole 21 . The end of the protrusion 26 will then abut on the base portion 6, thereby preventing the second screen wall locking member 1 a^" to reach a perpendicular relationship to the first screen wall locking member 1 a^', whereby the second screen wall locking member remains tilted, or up-lifted, at the angle β in relation to the first screen wall locking member 1 a^', until the protrusion 26 is received in the base portion recess 24. When the protrusion is received in the base portion recess 24 the locking members 1 a^', 1 a^" can attain a perpendicular relationship to each other and a further interlock is accomplished preventing linear movement of the protruding part 22 out from the through hole 21 since the protrusion 26 of the second locking member 1 a^" then will engage with a lock surface of the first locking member 1 a^', here an inner surface 25 of the through hole 24. Hence, an additional interlock is provided also in the longitudinal direction z^" of the second locking member 1 a^".

It may be noted that there are no spacers in the embodiment of the upper locking member 1 a as were in the embodiments of the lower locking member 1 b. However, corresponding functionality is here provided by the base portion 6 bulging outwards at the through holes 21 , thereby providing a space between the base portion 6 and an upper edge surface of a wall element connected to the upper locking member 1 a, in which space the protruding part 22 can be inserted without interfering with the wall element.

Similarly to the embodiment in Figs. 2a-2d, the protruding part 22 in Figs. 4a- 4d is provided with a first fitting element 28, also here a ridge that may be formed from punching, and which first fitting element 48 is form fitted to and adapted to engage with a second fitting element 43 in the base portion 6, here a recess part of the bulged portion of the base portion 6. When the protruding part 22 of the second locking member 1 a^" is inserted in the through hole 21 of the first locking member 1 a^' and the protrusion 26 is received in the base portion through hole 24, the first and second fitting elements 48, 43 will engage and thereby assisting in reaching and

maintaining a perpendicular relationship between the first and second locking member. The fitting elements 48, 43 engaging also contributes to the interlock in both longitudinal directions z^', z".

In other embodiment than presented above there may be first locking elements that instead of being recesses are protruding parts extending from the branch portions, the second locking element being a recess at an end of the locking member, the recess being adapted to receive such protruding part. In yet another embodiment there may be a protruding part of a first or second locking element which is arranged to engage with a structure of the other locking element, which structure presents a lock surface that the protruding part can engage with to provide the interlock, for example by snap

connection.

In a further embodiment the first and second locking elements may both involve protruding parts arranged to directly or indirectly connect to each other. In one embodiment the first and second locking element may be connected by, and/or engage with a separate lock part cooperating with both locking elements to connect them and provide the interlock.

Figs. 5a-5c show in side and top views how and in what order wall elements 3 can be interconnected using upper and lower screen wall locking members 1 a, 1 b.

With reference to Fig. 5a, a first wall element 3 has first upper 1 a^' and lower 1 b^' locking members connected to respective upper and lower edge portions 2a, 2b. The upper locking member 1 a is attached in an up-lifted position by clamping members at the end of the first upper locking member 1 a. A second wall element 3^' is then moved into the channel of the first lower locking member 1 b^' wherafter the first upper locking member 1 a^'is pushed down to also receive upper edge portion of the second wall element, clamping members of the upper locking element engaging with and securing the wall elements 3, 3^'to the first locking members 1 a^', 1 b^', whereby the first and second wall element 3, 3^'are securely interconnected.

With further reference to Figs. 5b-5c, next a third wall element 3^" is to be connected to the screen wall. Second upper and lower locking members 1 a^", 1 b^" are connected perpendicularly to the respective first upper and lower locking members 1 a^', 1 b^', the second locking members 1 a^", 1 b^" being interlocked with the first locking members 1 a^', 1 b^'. The second upper locking member 1 a^" is temporarily attached in an up-lifted position to the first upper locking member 1 a^'. The third wall element 3^' is then moved into the channel of the second lower locking member 1 b^" wherafter the second upper locking member 1 a^" is pushed inwards and down to receive an upper edge portion of the third wall element 3^", clamping members of the second upper locking element 1 ^" engaging with and securing the third wall element 3^" to the second locking members 1 a^', 1 b^', whereby the third wall element is securely connected to the screen wall and a T-crossing has been formed.

The skilled person will recognize the simplicity in the assembly of wall elements and that assembly can be made by a single person without the need of any additional equipment or tools.

Conventinally a screen wall element typically has a height about 2.40 m, and a width of about 1 m, or a height of about 3,20 m and a width of about 1 ,5 m. The wall elements are preferably sized at least in the same order of magnitudes, for example having an area in the range of 2-7 m², a height in the range of 2-3 m and a width in the range of 0.5-3 m. typically about 2.40 m.

Dimensioning of parts constituting the screen being build may be made in view of the choice of material. Preferably no single piece that is to be connected to a wall section being assembled in situ, should weigh more than about 15 kg. This way heavy lifts can be avoided and assembly of a wall section by a single person is facilitated. The wall elements are preferably based on a light weight material that can be cost efficiently produced. Preferably the wall element is based on a sheet of a cardboard material, such as Re-board ® as manufactured by the present applicant, which has high specific strength, is comparatively durable, is recyclable and can be cost efficiently and environmentally friendly produced. For example, a 22 mm Re-board ® can be comparable to a 16 mm

particleboard in bending stiffness and strength but has only 1/3 of the weight of the particle board. By use of large-area printing technology during manufacturing of Re-boards, a wall-section, or wall element can easily be made with almost any wall surface appearance, for example in order to adapt to specific exhibit premises, to a specific exhibit type and/or to a specific exhibitor.

It should be understood that the symmetry possessed by many of the herein described parts, are mainly for facilitating manufacturing, reducing the total number of parts required to assemble a screen wall and for accomplishing a symmetric, discrete and appealing appearance, but that the purpose and function of many parts as well can be achieved by more asymmetric parts. Any illustration and description in the drawings and in the foregoing description are to be considered exemplary and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

The present invention is defined by the claims and variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the person skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, for example by studying the drawings, the disclosure, and the claims. Use of the word "comprising" in the claims does not exclude other elements or steps, and use of the article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Occurrence of features in different dependent claims does not per se exclude a combination of these features. Any reference signs in the claims are for increasing intelligibility and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1 . A screen wall locking member (1 a;1 b) connectable to an edge portion (2) of a screen wall element (3), wherein

the screen wall locking member extends in a longitudinal direction (z) and has, in a cross-section to said longitudinal direction, a substantially U-shaped profile with two branch portions (5, 5^') extending from a base portion (6), said U-shaped profile being adapted to receive the edge portion (2) in such way that the branch portions (5, 5^') extend over a respective opposite principal surface (7, 7^') of the wall element and the base portion (6) extends over an edge surface (4) of the wall element.

2. A screen wall locking system for connection of screen wall element comprising:

a first screen wall locking member (1 a^';1 b^') as claimed in claim 1 ; and a second screen wall locking member (1 a^";1 b^" ) as claimed in claim 1 ; wherein

the first screen wall locking member (1 ^') has at least one first locking element (21 ) arranged on at least one of its branch portions (5, 5^'), and the second screen wall locking member (1 ^") has a second locking element (22) arranged on an end of the second screen wall locking member, said first and second locking elements (1 a^',1 a^";1 b^',1 b^") being arranged to connect to each other in such way that the first screen wall locking member (1 a^';1 b^') and the second screen wall locking member (1 a^";1 b^") interlock with each other.

3. The screen wall locking system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the interlock is in a least one, preferably both, of the respective longitudinal directions (ζ^',ζ^" ) of the first screen wall locking member (1 a^';1 b) and second screen wall locking member (1 a^";1 b^"), when the first and second screen wall locking members are in substantially perpendicular relationship to each other and the first locking element (21 ) and second locking element (22) are engaging each other.

4. The screen wall locking system as claimed in any one of claims 2-3, wherein the at least one first locking element (21 ) is located at at least one of a center portion and an end portion of the first screen wall locking member (1 a^';1 b^') in relation to the longitudinal direction (ζ') of the first screen wall locking member, preferably there are at least two first locking elements (21 ), one at the center portion and at least one at one end portion.

5. The screen wall locking system as claimed in any one of claims 2-4, wherein

the at least one first locking element (21 ) comprises a branch portion recess, preferably a through hole, and preferably located adjacent to the base portion (6); and

the second locking element (22) comprises a protruding part extending from the end, and preferably from the base portion (6), in the longitudinal direction (z^") of the second screen wall locking member (1 a^";1 b^"),

the branch portion recess and the protruding part being arranged so that the protruding part fits the branch portion recess, whereby the first screen wall locking member (1 a^';1 b^') and second screen wall locking member (1 a^";1 b^") are interlocked in at least the longitudinal direction (ζ^') of the first screen wall locking member (1 a^';1 b^') when the protruding part is received in the branch portion recess.

6. The screen wall locking system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the protruding part (22) is provided with a protrusion (26) arranged to engage with a lock surface (25; 34; 44) of the first screen wall locking member (1 a^';1 b) when the protruding part is received in the branch portion recess, in such way that the first and second screen wall locking members (1 a^',1 a^";1 b^',1 b^") are interlocked in also the longitudinal direction (z^") of the second screen wall locking member (1 a^";1 b^").

7. The screen wall locking system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the protrusion (26) extends out of plane of, preferably perpendicular to, the base portion (6) of the second screen wall locking member (1 a^";1 b^"), and the lock surface (25;34) of the first screen wall locking member (1 a^';1 b') is an edge surface of a base portion recess (24; 33), preferably a through hole, adapted to receive the protrusion.

8. The screen wall locking system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the protrusion (26) extends a distance ( n ) from the protruding part (22), which distance (hi ) is greater than a distance (h₂) from an edge of the branch portion recess to the base portion (6) of the first screen wall locking member (1 a^';1 b').

9. The screen wall locking system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the protrusion (26) extends in a plane of the base portion (6) of the second screen wall locking member (1 a^";1 b^"), whereby the protruding part (22) has a greater width (w₃) in a cross section than a smallest width (w₂) of an opening of the branch portion recess of the first screen wall locking member (1 a^';1 b^').

10. The screen wall locking system as claimed in any one of claims 2-9, wherein the first screen wall locking member (1 a^';1 b^') is additionally provided with a second locking element (22) corresponding to the second locking element of the second screen wall locking member, and the second screen wall locking member is additionally provided with a first locking element (21 ) corresponding to the first locking element of the first screen wall locking member.

1 1 . The screen wall locking system as claimed in any one of claims 2-10, wherein at least one, preferably both, of the screen wall locking members (1 a^', 1 a^";1 b, 1 b^") comprises locking elements that are symmetrical in relation to a symmetry plane in the center of the at least one screen wall locking member.

12. At least one of the screen wall locking members (1 a) as claimed in any one of claims 1 -1 1 , having at least one branch portion (5, 5^') provided with at least one clamping member (23) facing an inside of the U-shaped profile, said at least one clamping member (23) being resilient in a spring-back direction that is perpendicular to the at least one branch portion (5, 5^').

13. The at least one of the screen wall locking members as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one clamping member (23) is located at an end portion of the at least one of the screen wall locking members (1 a), and preferably the at least one clamping member is at least two clamping members, one at each of the end portions of the at least one of the screen wall locking members (1 a).

14. The at least one screen wall locking member as claimed in any one of claims 12-13, wherein the at least one clamping member (23) is at least two clamping members located on opposite branch portions (5, 5^'), preferably facing each other.

15. The at least one screen wall locking member as claimed in any one of claims 12-14, wherein the at least one clamping member (23) extends from the branch portion (5, 5^') so that there is formed a minimum width (w_min) in the U-shaped profile that is less than a thickness (t) of the edge portion (2) of the screen wall element to be received therein.

16. The at least one screen wall locking member as claimed in claim 15, wherein the at least one clamping member (23) is formed from a cut out in the branch portion (5, 5^').

17. A screen wall system comprising:

a first screen wall locking system as claimed in any one of claims 2-1 1 ; and

a first and a second wall element (3^', 3^"); wherein

the first screen wall locking member (1 a^';1 b^') of the first screen wall locking system is connected to an upper or lower edge portion (2a^', 2b^') of the first wall element (3^') and the second screen wall locking member (1 a^";1 b^") of the first screen wall locking system is connected to a corresponding upper or lower edge portion of the second wall element (3^").

18. The screen wall system as claimed in claim 17, further comprising: a second screen wall locking system as claimed in any one of claims 2-

1 1 ; wherein the first screen wall locking system is an upper screen wall locking system, the first and second screen wall locking members (1 a^', 1 a^") thereof being connected to respective upper edge portions of the first and second wall element (3^', 3^"), and wherein the second screen wall locking system is a lower screen wall locking system, the first and second screen wall locking members (1 b^', 1 b^") thereof being connected to respective lower edge portions of the first and second wall element (3, 3^').

19. The screen wall system as claimed in claim 18, wherein at least one, preferably both, of the screen wall locking members of the upper screen wall locking system is the screen wall locking member as claimed in any one of claims 12-16.

20. The screen wall system as claimed in any one of claims 18-19, wherein the upper screen wall locking system is the screen wall locking system as claimed in any one of claims 7-8.

21 . The screen wall system as claimed in any one of claims 18-20, wherein the lower screen wall locking system is the screen wall locking system as claimed in claim 7 or 9.

22. The screen wall system as claimed in any one of claims 17-21 , wherein the wall elements are based on a card-board material, such as Re-board®.

23. A screen wall system comprising:

a first screen wall locking member (1 ) as claimed in any one of claims 12-16; and a first wall element (3^'); wherein the first screen wall locking member (1 ) is an upper screen wall locking member (1 a) connected to an upper edge portion (2a') of the first wall element (3^').

24. The screen wall system as claimed in claim 23, further comprising a second wall element (3), the first screen wall locking member being additionally connected to an upper edge portion (2a) of the second wall element (3), thereby connecting the two wall elements (3, 3^') serially.

25. The screen wall system as claimed in any one of claims 22-24, further comprising:

a second screen wall locking member (1 a^"), the first and second screen wall locking member forming the screen wall locking system as claimed in any one of claims 2-1 1 ; and

a third wall element (3^"); wherein

the second locking member (1 a^") is connected to an upper edge portion of the third wall element (3^") and to the first screen wall locking member (1 a').

26. The screen wall system as claimed in any one of claims 22-25, wherein the wall elements are based on a card-board material, such as Re-board®.