WO2017100854A1

WO2017100854A1 - Connection system

Info

Publication number: WO2017100854A1
Application number: PCT/AU2016/051244
Authority: WO
Inventors: James MURRAY-PARKES; Joel DREW
Original assignee: Engineering Innovations Group Pty Limited
Priority date: 2015-12-18
Filing date: 2016-12-16
Publication date: 2017-06-22
Also published as: AU2016371247A1

Abstract

Some embodiments relate to a connection system comprising: a wall panel comprising a wall panel connector and a socket; and a base configured to be fixed to a floor, the base comprising a locator protrusion configured to engage with the socket of the wall panel to assist in positioning the wall panel relative to the base, and a base connector configured to engage with the wall panel connector to connect the wall panel to the base, wherein one of the wall panel connector and the base connector comprises a latch which can be tensioned to force the wall panel against the floor or the base. The latch may be an over-centre latch. Embodiments also relate to the wall panel alone and to the base alone, as well as to a method of connecting the wall panel to the base.

Description

"Connection system"

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments generally relate to connection systems, components of connection systems, and methods for connecting a wall panel to an anchoring structure such as a floor.

Background

[0002] Conventional stud walls are generally constructed on-site in a building structure. However, there are significant costs associated with on-site labour, materials handling, and wastage through off-cuts, as well as the challenges in controlling quality.

[0003] Instead of constructing walls on-site, some builders have started to use prefabricated wall panels which are fabricated off-site in a factory, then transported to the building site, erected, and fastened in place by connecting the wall panels to floors.

[0004] Existing methods for connecting wall panels to floors generally involve using mechanical fasteners and/or brackets to connect part of the wall panel to the floor. Such methods are time consuming and require a certain degree of skill as well as a large range of tools.

[0005] It is desired to address or ameliorate one or more disadvantages or

shortcomings of existing connection systems and methods for connecting a wall panel to a floor, or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto.

[0006] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

[0007] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

Summary

[0008] Some embodiments relate to a base for connecting a wall panel to a floor, the base comprising:

a base plate defining one or more fastening apertures each configured to receive a mechanical fastener to fix the base plate to the floor;

a locator protrusion configured to be received in a socket in the wall panel and assist in positioning the wall panel relative to the base, the locator protrusion disposed on and extending away from a first face of the base plate; and

a base connector configured to engage with a wall panel connector of the wall panel to connect the wall panel to the base, the base connector disposed on and extending away from the first face in substantially the same direction as the locator protrusion and spaced from the locator protrusion.

[0009] The base connector may comprise a hook configured to engage with the wall panel connector. The base connector may be formed of a flat plate extending away from the base plate and bent at one end to form the hook. The locator protrusion may be generally cylindrical. The fastening apertures may be defined by elongate slots in the base plate to allow the angle and position of the base plate to be adjusted relative to the floor.

[0010] In some embodiments, the base may comprise a plurality of locator protrusions and a base connector associated with each of the locator protrusions, wherein the base connectors and locator protrusions are configured such that a respective plurality of wall panels can be connected to the base to form a junction of abutting wall panels.

[0011] Some embodiments relate to a wall panel comprising:

a plurality of frame members connected together to form a frame; a first wall sheet covering at least part of a first side of the frame;

a wall panel connector disposed on one of the frame members and configured to engage with a base connector of a base fixed to a floor to connect the wall panel to the base and the floor; and

a socket configured to receive a locating protrusion of the base to assist in positioning the wall panel relative to the base;

wherein the wall panel connector comprises a latch which can be tensioned to force the wall panel against the floor or the base.

[0012] The latch may comprise an over-centre latch. The wall panel may further comprise a securing mechanism to secure the latch in a tensioned state. The wall panel connector may be disposed at or near an end of the wall panel. The wall panel connector may be disposed within the frame in a space between two or more of the frame members, and the wall panel may include an opening to allow passage of the base connector and to allow engagement between the base connector and the wall panel connector. The socket may be disposed at or near a corner of the wall panel. The socket may comprise a recess formed in one of the frame members.

[0013] The wall panel may further comprise a second wall sheet covering at least part of a second side of the frame, and the second side may include an opening to allow access to the latch for installation. The wall panel may comprise two wall panel connectors, one on each opposite end or side of the panel, and two sockets, each adjacent to one of the wall panel connectors, configured to engage with the base connectors and locator protrusions of two respective bases that are spaced from each other.

[0014] Some embodiments relate to a connection system or a kit comprising, in combination, a base according to any embodiment described herein and a wall panel according to any embodiment as described herein.

[0015] Some embodiments relate to a connection system comprising:

a wall panel comprising a wall panel connector and a socket; and a base configured to be fixed to a floor, the base comprising a locator protrusion configured to engage with the socket of the wall panel to assist in positioning the wall panel relative to the base, and a base connector configured to engage with the wall panel connector to connect the wall panel to the base,

wherein one of the wall panel connector and the base connector comprises a latch which can be tensioned to force the wall panel against the floor or the base.

[0016] The latch may comprise an over-centre latch. The wall panel connector may comprise the latch and the base connector may comprise a hook or loop configured to engage with the latch.

[0017] Some embodiments relate to a base for connecting a wall panel to a floor, the base comprising:

a base plate defining one or more fastening apertures each configured to receive a mechanical fastener to fix the base to the floor;

a locator configured to engage with part of the wall panel and assist in positioning the wall panel relative to the base; and

a base connector configured to engage with a wall panel connector of the wall panel to connect the wall panel to the base;

wherein one of the wall panel connector and the base connector comprises a latch which can be tensioned to force part of the wall panel against part of the floor or the base.

[0018] Some embodiments relate to a wall panel comprising:

a plurality of frame members connected together to form a frame;

a first wall sheet covering at least part of a first side of the frame; and a wall panel connector disposed on one of the frame members and configured to engage with a base connector of a base fixed to a floor to connect the wall panel to the base and the floor,

wherein one of the wall panel connector and the base connector comprises a latch which can be tensioned to force part of the wall panel against part of the floor or the base. [0019] Some embodiments relate to a connection system comprising:

a wall panel comprising a wall panel connector; and

a base configured to be fixed to a floor, the base comprising a locator configured to engage with part of the wall panel to assist in positioning the wall panel relative to the base, and a base connector configured to engage with the wall panel connector to connect the wall panel to the base,

[0020] Some embodiments relate to a method for connecting a wall panel to a floor, the method comprising:

positioning the wall panel relative to a base which is fixed to the floor, such that an over-centre latch disposed on the wall panel can be connected to a base connector disposed on the base;

coupling the over-centre latch to the base connector; and

tensioning the over-centre latch to force a lower surface of the wall panel against the floor or the base.

[0021] The described connection systems, components of connection systems, and methods for connecting a wall panel to an anchoring structure such as a floor may provide one or more of the following advantages. The bases may be fixed to various types of floor or other anchoring structures in a desired arrangement before the wall panels are installed. The wall panels may be prefabricated off-site and then rapidly installed by connecting them to the bases. Installation of the wall panels onto the bases may require less time and effort than conventional installation methods, and may be performed manually without tools. Rapid installation of the wall panels may quickly achieve a weather tight structure, or sufficiently weather tight to allow other aspects of construction to continue. The connection system and installation method may be used in low-rise and multi-storey buildings in residential, commercial and industrial applications. Brief Description of Drawings

[0022] Embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 A shows a connection system comprising a wall panel and a base according to some embodiments;

[0024] Figure IB shows the connection system of Figure 1A with the wall panel connected to the base;

[0025] Figure 2A shows a base according to some embodiments;

[0026] Figure 2B shows a base according to some embodiments;

[0027] Figure 2C shows a base according to some embodiments;

[0028] Figure 3A shows an exploded perspective view of part of a wall panel and a base according to some embodiments;

[0029] Figure 3B shows the wall panel and base of Figure 3 A in an assembled state;

[0030] Figure 3C shows a top view of the wall panel and base of Figure 3 A;

[0031] Figure 3D shows a front view of the wall panel and base of Figure 3 A;

[0032] Figure 4 A shows a side view of the wall panel and base of Figure 3 A in an unconnected state;

[0033] Figure 4B shows a side view of the wall panel and base of Figure 3 A in a partially connected state; and

[0034] Figure 4C shows a side view of the wall panel and base of Figure 3 A in a connected and tensioned state. Description of Embodiments

[0035] Embodiments generally relate to connection systems, components of connection systems, and methods for connecting a wall panel to an anchoring structure, such as a floor.

[0036] Referring to Figures 1A and IB, a connection system 100 is shown according to some embodiments. The connection system 100 comprises a wall panel 110 comprising a wall panel connector 120 and a base 130 configured to be fixed to a floor 102. The base 130 comprises a base connector 140 configured to engage with the wall panel connector 120 to connect the wall panel 1 10 to the base 130.

[0037] The wall panel connector 120 may comprise a latch 150 which can be tensioned to force part of the wall panel 1 10 against part of the floor 102 or the base 130, or both the floor 102 and the base 130. The latch 150 may comprise an over-centre latch. The base connector 140 may comprise a hook or loop configured to engage with the latch 150. The latch 150 may comprise a hook or loop 160 configured to engage with the base connector 140 if the base connector 140 comprises a hook, and the latch 150 may comprise a hook if the base connector comprises a loop.

[0038] In some embodiments, the base connector 140 may comprise the latch 150 instead of the wall panel connector 120 comprising the latch. In such embodiments, the wall panel connector 120 may comprise a hook or loop configured to engage with the latch 150.

[0039] The base 130 may comprise a locator 146 configured to engage with part of the wall panel 110 to assist in positioning the wall panel 110 relative to the base 130.

[0040] In some embodiments, the wall panel 110 may comprise two or more wall panel connectors 120 and be configured to be connected to two or more respective bases 130, as shown in Figures 1A and IB. [0041] In some embodiments, the wall panel 1 10 may be connected to the floor 102 by positioning the wall panel 1 10 relative to the base 130 which is fixed to the floor 102, such that the latch 150 can be connected to the base connector 140. The latch 150 may then be connected to the base connector 140 and tensioned to force a lower surface 104 of the wall panel 110 against the floor 102 or the base 130 or both the floor 102 and the base 130.

[0042] In some embodiments, the wall panel 110 may be lifted up partially into a channel (not shown) formed in or mounted on a ceiling (not shown) before positioning the wall panel 1 10 over the base 130 and lowering the wall panel 1 10 onto the base 130.

[0043] One or more bases 130 may be arranged at various locations on the floor 102 and fixed or fastened to the floor 102 before one or more wall panels 1 10 are connected to the one or more bases 130. This method of construction may significantly reduce installation time compared to that of conventional wall installation.

[0044] The wall panel 1 10 may comprise a plurality of frame members 1 12 connected together to form a frame 1 14, which may have a generally rectangular shape. The frame members 112 may comprise any suitable building material such as, timber, stud timber, radiata pine, engineered timber, laminated veneer lumber (LVL), metal, metal alloy, aluminium, or steel, for example. The width of the frame members 112 may be in the range of about 10mm to 200mm, optionally about 20mm to 100mm, optionally about 40mm to 80mm. The depth of the frame members 1 12 may be in the range of aboutlOmm to 200mm, optionally about 20mm to 100mm, optionally about 40mm to 80mm. The length of the frame members 1 12 may be in the range of about 500mm to 4000mm, optionally about 1000mm to 3000mm, optionally about 1460mm to 2500mm. In some embodiments, the frame members 1 12 may be in the form of an extruded metal section such as a U-shaped channel, a rectangular profile or an H-shaped profile, for example. [0045] The wall panel 1 10 may further comprise a first wall sheet 116 covering at least part of a first side of the frame 1 14. The wall panel 110 may further comprise a second wall sheet (not shown) covering at least part of a second side of the frame 1 14, wherein the second sheet includes an opening (not shown) to allow access to the latch 150 for installation. The opening may comprise a hatch, access door, or panel to allow the opening to be closed when access to the latch 150 is not required.

[0046] The first and second wall sheets 1 16 may comprise any suitable material such as plaster board, cement sheet, metal, metal alloy, aluminium, steel, timber, plywood, particle board, engineered timber panels, or plastic, for example. The thickness of the first wall sheet 1 16 may be in the range of about 0.1mm to 10mm, optionally about 0.5mm to 7mm, optionally about 1mm to 5mm. The wall sheets 1 16 may be fastened to the frame 1 14 with any suitable means such as mechanical fasteners and/or adhesive, for example.

[0047] The wall panel connector 120 may be disposed within the frame 1 14 in a space defined between two or more of the frame members 1 12. The wall panel 1 10 may include an opening 106 in the lower surface 104 to allow passage of the base connector 140 into the space within the frame 114, so that the wall panel connector 120 can engage and connect with the base connector 140.

[0048] A number of wall panels 110 may be prefabricated off-site before being delivered on-site at a construction project for installation in a building structure.

Different wall panels 110 may be manufactured for different applications such as internal or external walls, for example. The height, width and depth and materials of the wall panels 1 10 may vary according to various applications. For example, the height of the wall panels 1 10 may be similar to a height of a level of a building or a room into which the wall panels 1 10 are to be installed. The height of the wall panels 1 10 may be in the range of about 2m to 4m, optionally about 2.4m to 3m, optionally about 2.5m to 2.7m. The width of the wall panels 1 10 may vary to any desired width, such as greater than 5m, but for manual handling, a lesser width may be used, such as in the range of about 0.3m to 3m, optionally about lm to 2.5m, optionally about 1.5m to 2m. [0049] Referring to Figures 2A to 2C, a number of bases 130 are shown in further detail. The base 130 may comprise a base plate 132 defining one or more fastening apertures 134 each configured to receive a mechanical fastener to fix the base 130 to the floor 102. The base plate 132 may comprise a substantially flat panel or plate which may be formed of solid metal. In some embodiments, the fastening apertures 134 may comprise slotted holes to allow for adjustment of the position or angle of the base 130 after initial installation of the base 130 on the floor 102. That is, instead of being circular, the fastening apertures 134 may be defined by elongate slots in the base plate 132. A major axis of the elongate slots may be generally parallel with a base frame member 1 12 running along the width of the wall panel 1 10 when installed. Part of the base frame member 112 may cover at least part of the base plate 132 when the wall panel 110 is connected to the base 130, and the lower surface 104 of the wall panel 1 10 may include one or more recessed portions (not shown) to ensure that the lower surface 104 is flush with and abuts the floor 102 and the base plate 132. In particular, part of the lower surface 104 surrounding the socket 1 18 may be in contact with an upper surface 136 of the base plate 132 when the wall panel 110 is connected to the base 130.

[0050] The base 130 may be fixed, fastened, or anchored to any suitable anchoring structure such as a floor, for example. Any appropriate mechanical fasteners such as screws, bolts, nails or rivets, for example, may be used to fasten the base plate 132 to any floor such as timber, cement, concrete or tiles, or to another anchoring structure such as a screw pile or other foundation structure.

[0051] The base 130 and its components such as the base plate 132, base connector 140 and locator 146 may be formed of any suitable material which can support expected loads and transfer forces between the wall panel 110 and the floor 102, such as a polymer, metal, metal alloy, steel, or structural steel, for example. In some embodiments, the base connector 140 and locator 146 may be welded to the base plate 132.

[0052] The base plate 132 may have a thickness in the range of about 1mm to 10mm, optionally about 2mm to 7mm, optionally about 3mm to 5mm. The width of the base plate 132 in a (direction corresponding to the depth of the wall panel 1 10) may be in the range of about 50mm to 300mm, optionally about 80mm to 200mm, optionally about 100mm to 150mm. In various applications, the width of the base plate 132 may be equal to, greater than, or less than the depth of the wall panel 110. The length of the base plate 132 may be in the range of about 100mm to 1000mm, optionally about 200mm to 500mm, optionally about 300mm to 400mm.

[0053] The base connector 140 may extend away from the base plate 132 in a direction substantially normal to the upper surface 136 of the base plate 132. The base connector 140 may comprise a solid and substantially flat plate 142 with a hooked end or hook portions (referred to herein as hook 144) formed at an end of the base connector 140 distal to the base plate 132. The hook 144 may be configured to engage with a loop or hook of the latch 150 such that when the latch 150 is connected to the hook 144 and tensioned, forces are transferred between the wall panel 110 and the base 130 via the latch 150 and the hook 144. In some embodiments, the base connector 140 may comprise a loop (not shown) configured to engage with a hook of the latch 150, and the connection between them may operate in a similar manner to that described above.

[0054] The base connector 140 may extend away from the base plate 132 by a distance in the range of about 30mm to 300mm, optionally about 50mm to 250mm, optionally about 100mm to 200mm. The thickness of the flat plate 142 may be in the range of about 1mm to 10mm, optionally about 2mm to 7mm, optionally about 3mm to 5mm. The width of the flat plate 142 may be in the range of about 10mm to 100mm, optionally about 20mm to 70mm, optionally about 30mm to 50mm. The hook 144 may be an extension of the flat plate 142 with similar width dimensions, but simply bent into a hook shape. The hook 144 may comprise a semi-cylindrical shape with an internal diameter in the range of about 2mm to 10mm, optionally about 3mm to 8mm, optionally about 5mm to 7mm.

[0055] The locator 146 may comprise a protrusion 148 extending away from the base plate 132 on the same side of the base plate 132 as the base connector 140 and spaced from the base connector 140. In some embodiments, the protrusion 148 may be generally cylindrical. In some embodiments, the protrusion may define a solid or hollow prism, such as a polygonal prism, for example. The length of the locator 146 in a direction extending away from the base plate 132 may be sufficient to provide temporary support to the wall panel 110 during installation before the latch 150 is tensioned, and may assist in maintaining the wall panel 110 in a vertical orientation. The locator 146 may temporarily support the wall panel 1 10 against wind loads during installation before the building is sealed or until other supporting structures are put in place. The length of the locator protrusion 148 may be in the range of about 100mm to 500mm, optionally about 146mm to 400mm, optionally about 200mm to 300mm. In some embodiments, the length of the locator protrusion 148 may be significantly greater than the width of the base plate 132, such as by a factor of more than 1.2, 1.5, 2 or 3, for example. The diameter of the locator protrusion 148 (transverse to its length) may be in the range of about 10mm to 100mm, optionally about 20mm to 50mm, optionally about 30mm to 40mm.

[0056] In some embodiments, instead of or as well as a protrusion 148, the locator 146 may comprise a socket or recess (not shown) in the base 130, or one or more walls extending away from the base plate 132 configured to receive part of the wall panel 110 and assist in locating the wall panel 1 10 relative to the base 130. In some embodiments, instead of a base plate 132, the base 130 may comprise an anchoring pin configured to be fixed or set in the floor 102 and support the base connector 140 and locator 146.

[0057] In some embodiments, the base 130 may comprise a plurality of locators 146 and base connectors 140 configured to allow a respective plurality of wall panels 110 to be connected to the base 130.

[0058] Referring to Figure 2B, a base 130 is shown comprising two base connectors 140 and two respective locators 146 configured such that two abutting adjacent wall panels 1 10 can be connected to the base 130 in parallel. In other embodiments, the base connectors 140 and locators may be configured to engage two abutting wall panels 1 10 arranged to form an angled corner, such as a right angled corner, for example. [0059] Referring to Figure 2C, a base 130 is shown comprising three base connectors 140 and three respective locators 146 configured such that three abutting adjacent wall panels 1 10 can be connected to the base 130 in a three-way or T-junction arrangement. In other embodiments, the base 130 may comprise further base connectors 140 and locators 146 to form a four- way cruciform junction, for example, or any other wall junction which may be desirable.

[0060] Referring to Figures 3 A to 3D, part of a wall panel 1 10 is shown as it connects to a base 130. The wall panel 1 10 may comprise a socket 118 configured to receive the locating protrusion 148 of the base 130 to assist in positioning the wall panel 110 relative to the base 130. The socket 118 may comprise a recess formed in one of the frame members 112. The socket 1 18 may define a complementary inner surface adapted to mate with an outer surface of the locating protrusion 148. In some embodiments, the socket 1 18 and locating protrusion 148 may define complementary keyed surfaces to assist in positioning the wall panel 1 10 at a desired angle.

[0061] The wall panel 110 may include a socket 118 at or near each end of the lower surface 104 and a wall panel connector 120 disposed on an upright frame member 1 14 near each socket 118 as shown in Figure 1 A. The two wall panel connectors 110 and two sockets 1 18 may be configured to engage with respective base connectors 140 and locators 146 of two bases 130 as shown in Figures 1A and IB.

[0062] Referring to Figures 3A to 3D and 4A to 4C, the latch 150 is shown in more detail, according to some embodiments, in the form of an over-centre latch. The latch 150 comprises a mounting bracket 152, which may be in the form of a shear plate, for example. The mounting bracket 152 includes a plurality of fastening apertures 154 configured to receive mechanical fasteners such as nails, screws or bolts, to fasten the latch 150 to the wall panel 1 10. The mounting bracket 152 may be fastened to a frame member 1 12 and the latch 150 may be disposed within the frame 1 14, i.e., in a space between two or more of the frame members 1 12. The mounting bracket 152 may be fastened to an upright frame member 1 12 or column which also includes the socket 1 18. [0063] The latch 150 may further comprise a lever 156 pivotally connected to the mounting bracket 152 at a first pivot 158, forming a fulcrum between the lever 156 and the mounting bracket 152. The first pivot 158 may be located at or near a first end of the lever 156. The lever 156 may comprise a handle allowing a user to rotate the lever 156 to tension the latch 150.

[0064] As mentioned previously, the latch 150 may comprise a hook or loop configured to engage with the hook 144 of the base connector 140 (or a hook if the base connector comprises a loop). In Figures 3 A to 3D and 4A to 4C, the latch 150 is shown with a loop 160 configured to engage with the hook 144 of the base connector 140 to connect the wall panel connector 120 to the base connector 140. The loop 160 may be pivotally connected to the lever 156 at a second pivot 162 spaced from the first pivot 158. The second pivot 162 may be nearer the first pivot 158 than a second end of the lever 156. A total length of the lever 156 may be significantly greater than a distance between the first and second pivots 158, 162, such as greater than four times the distance, optionally greater than five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten times the distance, for example.

[0065] In some embodiments, the latch 150 may comprise a securing mechanism or lock 164 to secure the lever 156 in position after the latch 150 has been tensioned. The lock 164 may comprise a locking loop 166 extending away from the mounting bracket 152 and configured to pass through a lock aperture 168 in the lever 156 (see Figure 3D) when the lever 156 is rotated to a certain angle relative to the mounting bracket 152 to tension the latch 150. The lever 156 may then be secured at that angle by placing a locking pin (not shown) in the locking loop 166 such that the locking pin extends through the locking loop 166 and across the lock aperture 168 to restrict the lever 156 from being rotated away from the mounting bracket 152 and releasing the latch 150 from the base connector 140.

[0066] Referring to Figures 4A to 4C, a method of closing the latch 150 is shown. In Figure 4 A, an upright frame member 112 is shown in place on a base 130 with the locator 146 received in the socket 1 18. The lever 156 is extending away from the mounting bracket 152 at an angle and the loop 160 is not engaged with the base connector 140. The loop 160 may then be rotated towards the base connector 140 to contact the base connector 140 as shown in Figure 4B. The lever 156 may then be rotated towards the mounting bracket 152 to tension the loop 160 against the hook 144 of the base connector 140 and force the lower surface 104 of the wall panel 1 10 against the floor 102 and/or the base plate 132.

[0067] The connection and tensioning sequence described may be performed manually and without any additional tools, since due to the mechanical advantage of the lever 156, the force required to tension the connection is significantly less than the tension applied to the connection. The mechanism of the over-centre latch shown may be described as a rotating over-centre cam or a second class lever with the first pivot 158 providing a fulcrum, the second pivot 162 and loop 160 providing a resistance, and the user's hand providing an effort on the lever 156 on an opposite side of the second pivot 162 from the first pivot 158.

[0068] There should be some resilience in the connection in order to maintain the tension and force the wall panel 110 against the floor 102 and/or base 130. That is, one or more components of the wall panel connector 120 or base connector 140 should be configured to be put under a certain amount of strain (without breaking or becoming damaged or otherwise experience material failure)_when the connection between them is tensioned. For example, any one or more of: the loop 160, the hook 144, the base connector 140, the lever 156, the mounting bracket 152 or any of the connections between the components may be resilient and configured to be put under strain (without breaking or becoming damaged or otherwise experience material failure) when the connection between the wall panel connector 120 and the base connector 140 is tensioned.

[0069] The latch 150 may be formed of any suitable materials which provide the requisite tensile strength and resilience, such as a polymer, metal, metal alloy, steel, structural steel, or tensile steel, for example. Existing latches such as over-centre latches may be purchased and fitted to the wall panel 1 10. [0070] The lever 156 may be formed of plate metal folded or stamped into a U- shaped channel. The length of the lever 156 may be in the range of about 100mm to 300mm, optionally about 150mm to 250mm, optionally about 200mm. The width of the lever 156 may be in the range of about 10mm to 70mm, optionally about 20mm to 60mm, optionally about 40mm to 50mm.

[0071] The loop 160 may be formed of a metal rod bent or otherwise formed into a rounded, rectangular or trapezoidal loop. The diameter of the rod may be in the range of about 2mm to 10mm, optionally about 3mm to 8mm, optionally about 5mm to 7mm. The width of the loop 160 may be in the range of aboutlOmm to 70mm, optionally about 20mm to 60mm, optionally about 40mm to 50mm. The length of the loop may be in the range of about 20mm to 200mm, optionally about 50mm to 150mm, optionally about 80mm to 120mm.

[0072] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A base for connecting a wall panel to a floor, the base comprising:

2. A base according to claim 1 , wherein the base connector comprises a hook configured to engage with the wall panel connector.

3. A base according to claim 2, wherein the base connector is formed of a flat plate extending away from the base plate and bent at one end to form the hook.

4. A base according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locator protrusion is generally cylindrical.

5. A base according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fastening apertures are defined by elongate slots in the base plate to allow the angle and position of the base plate to be adjusted relative to the floor.

6. A base according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the base comprises a plurality of locator protrusions and a base connector associated with each of the locator protrusions, wherein the base connectors and locator protrusions are configured such that a respective plurality of wall panels can be connected to the base to form a junction of abutting wall panels.

7. A wall panel comprising:

a plurality of frame members connected together to form a frame;

a first wall sheet covering at least part of a first side of the frame;

8. A wall panel according to claim 7, wherein the latch comprises an over-centre latch.

9. A wall panel according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a securing mechanism to secure the latch in a tensioned state.

10. A wall panel according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the wall panel connector is disposed at or near an end of the wall panel.

1 1. A wall panel according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the wall panel connector is disposed within the frame in a space between two or more of the frame members, and

wherein the wall panel includes an opening to allow passage of the base connector and to allow engagement between base connector and the wall panel connector.

12. A wall panel according to any one of claims 7 to 11 , wherein the socket is disposed at or near a corner of the wall panel.

13. A wall panel according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the socket comprises a recess formed in one of the frame members.

14. A wall panel according to any one of claims 7 to 13, further comprising a second wall sheet covering at least part of a second side of the frame,

wherein the second side includes an opening to allow access to the latch for installation.

15. A wall panel according to any one of claims 7 to 14, comprising two wall panel connectors and two sockets configured to engage with the base connectors and locator protrusions of two respective bases.

16. A connection system comprising a base according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a wall panel according to any one of claims 7 to 15.

17. A connection system comprising:

a wall panel comprising a wall panel connector and a socket; and

a base configured to be fixed to a floor, the base comprising a locator protrusion configured to engage with the socket of the wall panel to assist in positioning the wall panel relative to the base, and a base connector configured to engage with the wall panel connector to connect the wall panel to the base,

18. A connection system according to claim 17, wherein the latch comprises an over-centre latch.

19. A connection system according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the wall panel connector comprises the latch and the base connector comprises a hook or loop configured to engage with the latch.

20. A method for connecting a wall panel to a floor, the method comprising: positioning the wall panel relative to a base which is fixed to the floor, such that an over-centre latch disposed on the wall panel can be connected to a base connector disposed on the base; coupling the over-centre latch to the base connector; and tensioning the over-centre latch to force a lower surface of the wall panel against the floor or the base.

21. The steps, features, integers, components and/or structures disclosed herein or indicated in the specification of this application individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of two or more of said steps or features.