WO2013001486A2

WO2013001486A2 - Screen panel apparatus and components

Info

Publication number: WO2013001486A2
Application number: PCT/IB2012/053288
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian Arthur Steinhobel
Original assignee: STEVENS, Jason James
Priority date: 2011-06-28
Filing date: 2012-06-28
Publication date: 2013-01-03
Also published as: WO2013001486A3

Abstract

A first aspect of the invention concerns a screen panel apparatus (10, 80) comprising at least one upright screen panel (14) including a frame, at least one frame opening (18) bounded by the frame and at least one cladding panel (50) for each frame opening. The cladding panel (50) may be held removably in the opening (18) by means of magnets. The frame may include frame members (16) which define retaining formations (24) in which magnets (38), or magnetic elements, may be accommodated. The cladding panel associated with the opening (18) may carry respective, opposing magnetic members (52), or magnets, that engage the magnets (36), or magnetic members accommodated in the retaining formations (36). The magnetic coupling accordingly holds the cladding panel (50) releasably in place relative to the frame. A second aspect of the invention concerns a cladding panel (50) for a screen. The cladding panel (50) may, for example, carry magnets, or magnetic members (52), for magnetic engagement with respective magnetic elements, or magnets (36), on a frame of a screen panel apparatus (10, 80).

Description

"SCREEN PANEL APPARATUS AND COMPONENTS

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to a screen panel apparatus and to components of the apparatus.

In an open plan office environment it is common practice to screen one workstation from another in order to provide a measure of privacy to persons working at the workstations. This is often achieved with the use of free-standing screen panels erected between the workstations. A typical screen panel has an internal frame, major surfaces of which are clad with a textile fabric or other covering selected to complement the decor of the surrounding office environment.

If the overall office decor should change it is normally appropriate to change the appearance of the screen panels as well in order for them to fit in an aesthetically pleasing manner into the new environment. However in a conventional screen panel, the screen covering is most often fixed permanently to the frame. This means that the entire screen panel has to be replaced, often at substantial expense. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a screen panel apparatus comprising at least one upright screen panel including a frame, at least one frame opening bounded by the frame and at least one cladding panel for each frame opening which is held removably in the opening by means of magnets.

The frame of the screen panel preferably includes extruded frame members defining the at least one frame opening. The frame members may be in the form of aliminium extrusions. Each frame member may further include a number of frame sections that are connectable to one another using an expandable connecting arrangement.

The frame members preferably define retaining formations in which magnets, or magnetic elements, may be accommodated, the associated cladding panel carries respective, opposing magnetic members, or magnets, that engage the magnets, or magnetic members accommodated in the retaining formations thereby to hold the cladding panel releasably in place relative to the frame.

The retaining formations may be in the form of undercut channels in which the magnets or magnetic elements may be received and along which the magnets or magnetic elements may be moved so as to be positioned along the length of the channels.

The magnets or magnetic elements preferably have a trapezoidal shape in cross-section thereby allowing it to be slipped into and secured in the channels.

Preferably, the retaining formations accommodate magnets and the associated cladding panels carry magnetic elements. The screen panel apparatus may include a plurality of angularly spaced screen panels radiating transversely from a central post. Preferably, the central post has a number of arms corresponding to the number of angularly spaced screen panels, each arm including an internal frame composed of frame members bounding a frame opening and carrying magnets or magnetic elements.

The frame members of the post may define retaining formations in which magnets, or magnetic elements, may be accommodated, the associated cladding panel carries respective, opposing magnetic members, or magnets, that engage the magnets, or magnetic members accommodated in the retaining formations in the frame of the post thereby to hold the cladding panel releasably in place relative to the frame of the post.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a cladding panel for a screen, the cladding panel carrying magnets, or magnetic members, for magnetic engagement with respective magnetic elements, or magnets, on a frame of a screen panel apparatus.

The screen panel apparatus is preferably an apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

The panel may be selected to provide an aesthetically pleasing barrier between two zones.

The panel may also be selected to provide a functional purpose to serve as a white or black board surface or as a pin board.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the description which follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a screen panel apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a front view of the apparatus seen in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a partial, exploded perspective view of a screen panel apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of a screen panel seen in Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows an enlargement of the encircled area in Figure 4;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a screen panel apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 shows a front view of the apparatus seen in Figure 6;

Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the apparatus in Figure 6 taken along A-A as shown in Figure 7; and

Figure 9 shows an enlargement of the encircled area in Figure 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

The screen panel apparatus 10 seen in Figure 1 includes a post 12 of cruciform shape in horizontal cross-section and a screen panel 14 which is connected to the post so as to extend transversely from the post. In practice, there will typically be three further screen panels, not illustrated in Figure 1, that extend from the post, each of the four screen panels being at right angles to neighbouring screen panels. In an office environment, such a four panel configuration would be used to separate four workstations from one another.

Although a four panel configuration has been mentioned, it should be understood that other configurations, for example a. two panel configuration with two screen panels at 180° to one another, aligned with one another, or a three panel configuration, with three screen panels at 120° to one another, are also within the scope of the invention.

The screen panel 14 includes an open frame 16 composed of extruded aluminium frame members. Referring to the configuration seen in Figure 3, for example, the frame 16 includes horizontal frame members and vertical frame members connected to one another at right angles so as to bound frame openings 18.

With reference to the frame opening 18 which is visible in Figure 3, and to Figures 4 and 5, the upper frame member 16.1 has a horizontal cap portion 20 which forms a visible upper edge of the screen panel, and a pair of downwardly extending legs 22 each of which is formed with laterally facing retaining formations in the form of undercut channels 24. The frame member 16.2 at the lower edge of the frame opening 18 has a central element 26, a pair of downwardly extending legs 28 and a pair of upwardly extending legs 30. The legs 28 and 30 are similar to the legs 22 and are formed with laterally facing retaining formations in the form of undercut channels 32 and 34 respectively.

The vertical frame member 16.3 which is partially visible in Figure 3 has a cross-section similar to that of the frame member 16.2. It will be understood that the opening 18 will also be bounded by a further vertical frame member (not visible). In the portion of the screen panel 50 seen in Figure 3, there are four frame openings each bounded, as described above, by vertical and horizontal frame members. The lower edges of the lower frame openings will typically be bounded by lower, horizontal frame members similar to the upper frame member 16, but inverted. The vertical frame members may extend continuously for the full height of the panel.

Elongate magnets 36 are retained in the undercut channels as shown in Figure 5. Each magnet has a trapezoidal shape in cross-section, enabling it to be slipped into the associated undercut channel and to be located at the appropriate position along the length of the channel.

Magnets 36 are provided in the vertical and horizontal frame members bounding each frame opening.

Referring again to Figure 3, the screen panel apparatus of the invention includes cladding panels 50 on opposite sides of the frame. In the illustrated case there are eight panels 50, with four on each side of the frame. As exemplified in the case of the cladding panel 50 shown exploded away from the frame 16 in Figure 3, magnetic spacers 52 of ferrous metal are secured to a rear surface of the panel by fasteners 54.

The cladding panels 50 are mated with the frame 16 by locating them over the frame openings 18 so that magnetic engagement is made between the magnets 36 retained by the frame and the magnetic spacers 52 mounted on the cladding panels. Figure 3 shows three cladding panels 50.1 mounted to one side of the frame 16 in this way and partially illustrates two further cladding panels 50.2 similarly mated to the other side of the frame.

Those surfaces of the cladding panels which are visible when the panels are mounted in this way are decorated in a fashion complemental to the general decor of the office space in which the screen panel apparatus of the invention is used. Alternatively, as indicated above, the cladding panels could be selected to serve as, for example, white boards, pin boards, magnetic boards, in order to provide for the functional requirements of a workstation or other zone screened by the apparatus.

The magnetic attraction between the magnets and magnetic spacers is sufficiently strong to hold the cladding panels firmly in position. Nevertheless with application of sufficient force it is possible to overcome the magnetic attraction, for example by prising the panels free of the frame, thereby allowing the cladding panel to be removed. As an alternative to prising the panels, the apparatus may include a detachment tool including a magnet stronger than that used to hold the panels in place on the frame.

The tool is applied to the panel at the location of the magnets/magnetic members and is used to pull the panel off the frame through the more powerful magnetic attraction generated by the tool.

A major advantage of the invention, as exemplified above, arises from the fact that if the general office decor is changed, for example pursuant to an office refurbishment, it is a simple matter to remove and replace cladding panels which are aesthetically unsuited to the new decor. Alternatively or in addition it is possible to introduce functional cladding panels, for example white board panels, wherever these may be required and to replace such panels when necessary.

Referring again to Figure 1 the illustrated screen panel 14 includes, on each side, a central cladding panel 14.1 , upper and lower edge cladding panels 14.2 and 14.3 respectively and a side edge panel 14.4. Each of these panels is held in place magnetically in the manner described above. It will be understood that it is possible for the various cladding panels making up the screen surface to be decorated differently, thereby presenting an office decor designer with many options to achieve a desired aesthetic effect. The post 12 seen in Figure 1 has four mutually orthogonal arms 12.1 radiating from a central position. Each of these arms also has an internal frame composed of frame members bounding a frame opening and carrying magnets in the manner described above. The major surfaces of the arms 12.1 are clad by cladding panels 60 carrying magnetic spacers as described above.

The interior of each screen panel is hollow and can accommodate services such as electrical wiring, computer cabling and the like. As shown in Figure 2, the screen panel may be designed to have a services connection zone 70 where plugs 72 are provided for connection of the services required at each workstation.

When not in use, the zone 70 may be covered by a cladding panel (not shown) held in place magnetically as described above, or by an extruded aluminium strip (also not shown) clipped or otherwise attached releasably to upper and lower frame members above and below the zone.

Referring now to Figures 6 to 9 a second embodiment of the invention will be described. The apparatus according to the second embodiment is generally indicated by the reference numeral 80. In the accompanying drawings like numerals indicate like features.

As can be seen in Figure 6, the outward appearance of the apparatus 80 is very similar to that of the apparatus 10. The apparatus 80 also has an internal frame composed of frame members bounding a frame opening and carrying magnets in the manner described above. Each frame member may be constructed from multiple extruded sections instead of being in the form of a single extrusion, thereby requiring a number of sections to be joined together to create a frame member. The second embodiment of the invention is concerned with the preferred method of construction of the frame members. From the enlarged view in Figure 9, it can be seen that the top frame member 16.1 is similar to that of the first embodiment and has a cap portion 20 and two legs, each of which is formed with an undercut channel 24. In the second embodiment one of the legs 82.1 is longer than the other so as to define an opening 84 running along the length of the frame member and in which a connecting arrangement 86 may be received.

The connecting arrangement 84 connects two sections of the frame member 16.1 to each other. This is done by sliding the connecting arrangement into the opening 84 between the legs 82.1 and 82.2 of a first section of the frame member 16.2 so that a portion of thereof is located in the opening 84 and another portion extends from the opening. The second, adjoining section of the frame member 16.1 is then slid over the portion of the connecting arrangement extending from the opening 84 of the first section. The two sections of the frame member 16.1 are then secured to one another by causing the connecting arrangement to expand in the opening so as to cause a frictional connection between the connecting arrangement and the internal surfaces of the opening 84 in the two sections. The connecting arrangement is expanded by turning a grub screw 86 which causes two connecting formations, indicated by the reference numerals 88.1 and 88.2 respectively, to move away from one another.

Referring now to Figure 9 in particular, the first connecting formation 88.1 is in the form of a metal plate while the second connecting formation 88.2 is in the form of an elongate plastic member. By using the metal plate 88.1 the contact area between the connecting arrangement and the internal surface of the opening 84 is increased when compared to a configuration in which the grub screw 86 contacts the internal surface of the opening directly. The metal plate 88.1 also provides a wear resistant contact surface against which the grub screw 86 locates when expanding the connecting arrangement.

Many variations on both embodiments are possible. For example, the aluminium extrusions could be replaced by plastic components. Also, instead of mounting the magnets on the frame members and the magnetic spacers on the cladding panels, the magnets could be on the panels with cooperating magnetic elements on the frame members. As yet another alternative, magnets could be provided both on the frame members and on the cladding panels. The magnets could have any suitable shape enabling them to be mounted on the frame or screen panel.

In the illustrated embodiment, there is a central post 12. It should however be understood that the invention is not limited to screen panel apparatuses which have such a post. In principle the invention can be used in any screening apparatus where functional or aesthetic screening between different work or other zones are required.

Claims

1. A screen panel apparatus comprising at least one upright screen panel including a frame, at least one frame opening bounded by the frame and at least one cladding panel for each frame opening which is held removably in the opening by means of magnets.

2. A screen panel apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the frame of the screen panel includes extruded frame members defining the at least one frame opening.

3. A screen panel apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the frame members are in the form of aliminium extrusions.

4. A screen panel apparatus according to either claim 2 or 3, wherein each frame member includes a number of frame sections that are connectable to one another using an expandable connecting arrangement.

5. A screen panel apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the frame members define retaining formations in which magnets, or magnetic elements, may be accommodated, the associated cladding panel carries respective, opposing magnetic members, or magnets, that engage the magnets, or magnetic members accommodated in the retaining formations thereby to hold the cladding panel releasably in place relative to the frame.

6. A screen panel according to claim 5, wherein the retaining formations are in the form of undercut channels in which the magnets or magnetic elements are received and along which the magnets or magnetic elements may be moved so as to be positioned along the length of the channel.

7. A screen panel according to claim 6, wherein the magnets or magnetic elements have a trapezoidal shape in cross-section thereby allowing it to be slipped into and secured in the channels.

8. A screen panel according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the retaining formations accommodate magnets and the associated cladding panel carries magnetic elements.

9. A screen panel apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, including a plurality of angularly spaced screen panels radiating transversely from a central post.

10. A screen panel apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the central post has a number of arms corresponding to the number of angularly spaced screen panels, each arm including an internal frame composed of frame members bounding a frame opening and carrying magnets or magnetic elements.

11. A screen panel apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the frame members of the post define retaining formations in which magnets, or magnetic elements, may be accommodated, the associated cladding panel carries respective, opposing magnetic members, or magnets, that engage the magnets, or magnetic members accommodated in the retaining formations in the frame of the post thereby to hold the cladding panel releasably in place relative to the frame of the post.

12. A cladding panel for a screen, the cladding panel carrying magnets, or magnetic members, for magnetic engagement with respective magnetic elements, or magnets, on a frame of a screen panel apparatus.

13. A cladding panel according to claim 12, wherein the screen panel apparatus is an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A cladding panel according to either claims 12 or 13, wherein the panel is selected to provide an aesthetically pleasing barrier between two zones.

15. A cladding panel according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the panel is selected to provide a functional purpose to serve as a white or black board surface or as a pin board.