AU668738B2 - Panel construction - Google Patents

Description

66

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION For a Standard Patent

ORIGINAL

738 00 04 s o o o o 00 0 t0 Io U 0 06 ace' o 0 0 0 *a 4 a I i 0 00 TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): UNDERCLIFFE NOMINEES PTY LTD ROBERT DEXTER GREGORY PRITCHARD IAN WEIR Address for Service: WRAY ASSOCIATES, Primary Industry House, 239 Terrace, Perth, Western Australia, 6000.

Adelaide Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "PANEL CONSTRUCTION" Details of Associated Provisional Application: No: PL3885 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:- 1 -1 -2- THIS INVENTION relates to construction and interconnection of panels.

A particular application of the invention relates to the construction and interconnection of panels which can be used for display purposes or partitioning.

In one form the invention resides in a panel comprising a frame which defines the perimeter of the panel and has a polygonal shape, said frame being formed from lengths of metal section which are held in an end to end abutting relationship at the corners of the frame by corner elements o where each face of the corner element abutting the metal section is formed with a spigot which is clampingly oOo received in the abutting ends of the metal section, the .0 space defined within the frame being filled by a filler 15 member where the side faces of the corner element adjacent P110 the filler member and metal section, the side faces of the metal section and side face of the filler member are o0 substantially coplanar, said panels being adapted to be pivotally interconnected with corresponding panels in side 20 by side relationship.

o I 200 According to a preferred feature the pivotal 00ointerconnection is provided between the corner elements.

oa 00o°0: Preferably the pivotal interconnection comprises a link member which is pivotally supported at each end from a pair of abutting corner elements of adjacent panels to retain the pair of corner elements in close abutting relationship.

According to a preferred feature of the previous feature the abuttiig faces of said pair of corner elements are each formed with a plurality of ribs which are substantially parallel to the pivot axes between the panels wherein the ribs of the abutting faces of adjacent corner elements are meshingly engaged throughout the range of pivotal movement between the corner elements.

-3- The invention will be more fully understood in the light of the following description of one specific embodiment. The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a corner element according to the embodiment; Figure 2 is an isometric view of a pair of interconnected corner elements according to the embodiment; 0 Figure 3 is a section view along line 3-3 of Figure 2; S0 0o ~o oa o Figure 4 is a side elevation 2 a corner element oo aoo according to the embodiment; and oo Figure 5 is a part-sectional view of a corner element according to the embodiment.

15 The embodiment is directed to the construction of display 0o0 panels which can be used in exhibitions, showrooms and the odd like for the purposes of displaying photographs, posters and the like.

a o Each panel of the embodiment is formed by a substantially rectangular frame (see Figures 4 The frame defines the perimeter of the panel and comprises a set of four lengths of metal section 11 which define the sides of the frame and which are interconnected at their abutting ends by corner elements 12. The interconnection between the corner elements 12 and the metal section 11 is effected by a pair of spigots 13 which are provided on each face of the corner element 12 which abuts with the end of the respective metal section.

lIi 4 The metal sections 11 are each formed with a closed box section 14 and a channel section 15 where the entry 16 to the channel section is of a reduced width and is defined between the outer edges of the side walls of the channel 11 which are arcuately convergent. One of the spigots 13a of the corner element is receivable in the box section 14 and is of a substantially annular cross-section while the other spigot 13b has a generally U-shaped cross-section and is receivable in the channel section 15. To effect snug engagement between the spigots 13a, 13b and the box section 14 and channel section 15 of the metal section 11 a plurality of axial ribs 25 are provided on each spigot.

ooo The dimension of the axial ribs 25 are such that each :0o. spigot is frictionally engaged in the respective section of o.o 15 the metal section.

o o o The space defined by the interior face of the perimeter frame as defined by the metal sections the corner element 0o"° is filled with a filler panel 17 which is formed of a light-weight rigid material such as foamed polystyrene or the like. The thickness of the filler member 17 0. corresponds substantially to the width of the channel o0 section 11. Each side face of the corner element is formed with a portion 18 of reduced thickness which is inward 0.0 (with respect to the frame) of the diagonals between the 0 25 corner defined between the face of the corner element having the spigot and the outer edge. The portion 18 has a thickness corresponding substantially to the width of the metal section 11. As a result the portion 18 of the side faces of the corner element inward of the diagonal 26, the channel section 11 and the filler panel 17 are substantially coplanar. In use a decorative cladding according to the desired requirements of the panel is applied over the side faces of the filler panel 17 the channel 11 and of the corner element inward of the diagonal 18 to provide a decorative finish to the panel. The thickness of the portion of the corner element outward of the diagonal corresponds substantially with the thickness of the finished panel. To provide a neat appearance to the exterior of the panel the edges of the cladding 19 are received into the reduced entry 16 to the metal section 11 to be clampingly engaged by the reduced width entry 16 to be received in the channel section 15. The re-shaped configuration of the spigot 13b provides a space which will receive the edges of the cladding 19.

The corner elements 12 not only provide the support for the metal sections which form the sides of the frame of the panel but also provide for pivotal support between adjacent Ooo panels of corresponding construction. Each corner element is formed with a laterally directed slot 20 and with a 1passage 21 which extends through the corner element to 15 perpendicularly intersect the slot 20. To interconnect a 1 15 pair of corner elements a link member 22 (see figure 3) is received in the opposed lateral slots 20 of a pair of adjacent corner elements. The link element 22 is formed at each end with an aperture which when in position is intended to be aligned with the passage 21 provided in each 0 corner element. The link element 22 is rigidly retained in position in each corner element by means of a pivot pin 23 which is receivable in the passage 21 and in the aperture provided in the end of the link member 22. The abutting faces of the corner elements are substantially semicircular to allow for a degree of free pivotal movement between the corner elements and the presence of the elongate member 22 between each corner element enables pivotal movement of each panel with respect to the elongate link and other panel about the respective pivot pin 23.

The abutting side faces of the corner elements are formed with a plurality of axial ribs 24 which are perpendicular to the lateral slots 20. The pivotal movement of each corner element with respect to the other corner element is controlled by the axial ribs as a result of the ribs on the 6abutting faces of the corner element being meshingly interengaged. The ribs are configured and located such that the ribs of a pair of abutting corner elements are meshingly interengaged when the corner elements are held in close abutting relationship through the link member 22. As a result the pivotal movement of one corner element is interdependent upon the other corner element and the panels are incapable of free uncontrolled pivotal movement with respect to each other throughout the degree of pivotal movement between them. Therefore when a pair of panels are interconnected through the link member 22 interconnecting the adjacent corner elements of a pair of panels the panels 00 are not free to pivot about both of the pivot pins 23 which retain the link member 22 but can only pivot about its own pivot pins 23 whereby the rib but face of its corer elements rolls over the ribbed face of the corner elements of the adjacent panel.

The abutting faces of the corner elements are substantially semicircular to allow for the free pivotal movement between the corner elements.

Go o iEach of the corner elements is formed with a second passage which is parallel with the first passage 21 and is o°'coextensive with the hollow interior of the one spigot 13a 00 0to provide a passage which extends completely through the corner element. The outer end of the second passage 30 is adapted to receive an electrical terminal (not shown). As a result an electrical conductor can be located withini the box section 14 of the metal section and connected to an electrical terminal received in the second passage 30 the corner elements supported at each end of the metal section.

Each terminal is adapted to receive a mating terminal.

This facility enables electrical components such as lighting to be mounted to the partitioning and connected to a power source without the need to provide external chords or conduits or the like.

-7- The second passage 30 may also be formed to be perpendicular to the first passage 21 by forming extensions of the interior of the other one spigot 13a to extend through the coupling.

This would allow electrical conductions to be located in the closed box section 14 of the uppermost frame members and extend between adjacent panels. In such an instance however, the opening of the passageway to the exterior of the corner element will need to be slot shaped to enable pivotal movement between the corner elements without the o electrical conductor jamming or being damaged.

On o oo As a result of the embodiment a display panel is provided which is substantially dimensionally stable through the use of pre-formed metal sections and corner elements and which is resistant to significant loadings due to the nature of the interconnection between the metal sections and the o 0 corner elements. Furthermore the panel is capable of accommodating a wide range of decorative finishes according o0 to the desires of the customer or user where such 000* 20 decorative material can be easily applied to the panel and neatly retained at the edges. Furthermore the nature of the interconnection between the corner elements serves to 0.o" provide for a controlled pivotal movement between the display panels which further assists in maintaining a rigid display arrangement.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention need not be limited to the particular scope of the embodiment described above.

Claims (10)

1. A panel comprising a frame which defines the perimeter of the panel and has a polygonal shape, said frame being formed from lengths of metal section which are held in end to end relationship at the corners of the frame by corner elements where each end face of the corner element which abut the metal sections is formed with a spigot which is clampingly received in the abutting ends of the metal sections, the space defined within the frame being filled by a filler member where the side faces of the corner element adjacent the filler member and the metal section, the side faces of the metal section and the side faces of the filler member are substantially coplanar, said panels being adapted to be pivotally interconnected with corresponding panels in side by side relationship.

2. A panel as claimed at claim 1 wherein the panel is substantially rectangular.

3. A panel as claimed at claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the metal section is formed with a closed section and a channel section, said channel section being located at the outer periphery of the frame with the opening outermost, said opening being of reduced width and dimensioned to clampingly receive the edge of cladding which is applied to both side faces of the panel.

4. A panel as claimed at claim 3 wherein each said end face is formed with a pair of spigots where one spigot is receivable in the closed section and the other spigot is receivable in the channel section.

A panel as claimed at claim 4 wherein the other spigot is of a channel shaped cross-section and the opening is directed towards the opening of the channel section. 9

6. A panel as claimed at any one of the preceding claims wherein the pivotal interconnection is provided between the corner elements.

7. A panel as claimed at claim 6 wherein the pivotal interconnection comprises a link member which is pivotally supported at each end from a pair of abutting corner elements of adjacent panels to retain the pair of corner elements in close abutting relationship.

8. A panel as claimed at claim 7 wherein the abutting faces of said pair of corner elements are each formed with a plurality of ribs which are substantially parallel to the pivot axes between the panels and wherein the ribs of abutting faces of adjacent corner elements are meshingly interengaged throughout the range of pivotal movement between the corner elements.

9. A panel substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this THIRTIETH day of JULY 1993 UNDERCLIFFE NOMINEES PTY LTD Applicant. WRAY ASSOCIATES, Perth, Western Australia, Patent Attorneys for the Applicant.

10 ABSTRACT !i i A panel comprising a frame which defines the perimeter of t the panel and has a polygonal shape, wherein the frame is Sformed from lengths of metal section which are held in end to end relationship at the corners of the frame by corner elements and where each end face of the corner element which abuts the metal sections is formed with a spigot which is clampingly received in the abutting ends of the metal sections. The space defined within the frame is filled by a filler member where the side faces of the corner element adjacent the filler member and the metal section, the side faces of the metal section and the side faces of the filler member are substantially coplanar. The panels are adapted to be pivotally interconnected with corresponding panels in side by side relationship. 0 00 0 0 0 00 0 0 4 obI rQJ o 1 1