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The present invention relates generally to an attachment device and particularly to
an attachment device for use in conjunction with partition screens used to divide
space, for example in an office.
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It is known to provide partition screens with a stable base, for example by using
one or more feet, so that they can be free-standing. However, in certain cases it
may be preferable or necessary for a partition screen to be attachable to an article
to fulfil its desired function.
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The present invention seeks to provide improvements over existing partition screen
systems.
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According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a partition
screen attachment device for attaching a partition screen to an article, the device
comprising primary attachment means for attaching the device to a partition screen
and secondary attachment means for attaching the device to an article.
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Whilst the primary attachment means may engage a partition screen directly, they
may be adapted to engage a support rail which, in use, supports a partition screen.
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By providing a device with attachment means the partition screen or the like is
securable to the article.
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The primary and/or secondary attachment means may be releaseable to allow
removal and replacement of the clamp on the article.
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The article may be a work table, such as a desk. The device allows a support rail
and an associated partition screen to be secured to the work table.
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The attachment means may comprise a hook adapted to engage within a recess on
the partition screen or support rail.
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The device may be movable with respect to a partition screen. The adjustment
may be such that the device can remain attached to the screen whilst its position is
adjusted.
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The device may comprise means for securing it to a partition screen or support rail
as appropriate. The securing means may comprise the attachment means or they
may be separate so that, for example, the device could be attached and its position
adjusted before being secured in position.
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The primary and/or secondary attachment means may comprise releasable
attachment means.
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The primary attachment means may allow movement, such as sliding movement,
of the device with respect to a screen or support rail so that the position of the
clamp can be adjusted.
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The primary and/or secondary attachment means may be non-invasive in use with
respect to the partition screen and/or the article. The device could then be re-positioned/reused
without having caused any damage to the article.
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A device whose position along the length of a support rail is advantageous because
this allows the position to be determined "on-site" and obstructions present on a
desk or the like such as cable outlets can be avoided. Furthermore, a device which
can be re-positioned without damage to either the partition screen or the article to
which the screen is to be secured is advantageous.
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The secondary attachment means may comprise means for gripping the article such
as a clamping arrangement.
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A clamp arrangement may comprise a clamping member for engaging a first
surface of an article, a clamping counter-member for engaging a second surface of
an article, and means for moving the clamping member relative to the clamping
counter-member to allow clamping of the article therebetween, wherein the
clamping member itself forms part of the means for moving the clamping member.
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Whereas in known clamps the clamping member, such as a plate, and the means
for moving the clamping member, such as a wing nut or knob, are provided
separately, the clamp arrangement of the present invention may provide a
combined component. The complexity and cost of a device with a clamp
arrangement according to the present invention can thereby be reduced.
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The clamp arrangement may further comprise a base member and the clamping
member may be located between the clamping counter-member and the base
member. Accordingly the clamping member and the means for moving the
clamping member are carried within the clamp body, as opposed to known clamps
in which the clamping member is carried within the clamp and the means for
moving the clamping member are located outside of the clamp body. The
clamping member may be carried on or by the base member.
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The device may include a body within which at least part of an article can be
received, a clamping member movable to clamp the article within the body, and
means for moving the clamping member wherein, in use, the clamping member
and the means for moving the clamping member are located at least partly within
the space defined by the body.
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In known clamping systems the clamping member is usually located within the
body and the means for moving the clamping member are located outside of the
body. This means that the means for moving the clamping member are visible and,
moreover, may present a safety risk by protruding beyond the body. The clamp
according to the present invention provides a clamping member and the means for
moving the clamping member both within the body so that they can be concealed
by the body when the clamp is in use. Furthermore, a clamp in which the clamping
components are held within the body can be made more compact.
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The clamping member may itself form part of the means for moving the clamping
member.
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Partition screen systems may require clamps, for example, to clamp screens
temporarily to a work table or to clamp adjacent screens together. Such partition
screens are used, for example, to divide office space. Accordingly the aesthetics of
such partition screen systems is an important consideration, as is the safety of the
system. A device in which there are no knobs or the like protruding from the body
have an improved appearance and a reduced safety risk.
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The clamp arrangement may include an upstanding post along which the clamping
member is moveable. The post may include formations for engaging
corresponding formations on the clamping member for allowing movement. The
formations may comprise screw thread formations.
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The clamping member may follow a substantially rectilinear path during its
movement.
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The movement of the clamping member may be reversible to allow unclamping of
the clamp. It may, however, be preferable in some circumstances for the
movement of the clamping member to be irreversible, for example using a ratchet
system, or reversible only using a specific tool, such as a key, so that the device is
locked in place on the article.
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The clamp arrangement may include means for limiting the range of movement of
the clamping member. This could be used to set minimum and maximum size for
articles to be clamped. Additionally or alternatively this could be used to ensure
that the clamping member is not over-tightened, or that it is not removed from the
remainder of the clamp, for example by unscrewing it entirely from a screw
threaded post.
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The means for moving the clamping member may comprise a knob and the
clamping member may comprise a face of the knob in embodiments in which the
knob has an incorporated clamping member. The knob may include one or more
projections to assist in moving the clamping member.
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The secondary attachment means may comprise a projection for engaging a recess
on a partition screen support rail.
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According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provide a partition
screen support rail comprising support means for receiving a partition screen and
attachment means for attaching the rail to an article.
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The support rail attachment means may comprise means for receiving an
attachment device for attaching the rail to an article.
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The attachment means may comprise an attachment device for attaching the rail to
an article.
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The present invention also provides a support rail as described herein in
combination with an attachment device as described herein.
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The present invention also provides a partitioning arrangement comprising a
support rail as described herein, an attachment device as described herein and a
partition screen.
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The present invention may also provide a support rail for a partition screen, the rail
comprising means for receiving part of a partition screen whereby to support it,
and attachment means for allowing a clamp to be releasably connectable to the rail,
thereby allowing the screen to be clamped to an article.
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The attachment means may comprise a recess for receiving an attachment member,
such as a hook, provided on a clamp.
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The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 is a side view of an attachment device formed according to the
present invention shown with a clamping knob in a lower position;
- Figure 2 is a side view of the attachment device of Figure 1 shown with a
clamping knob in a raised position;
- Figure 3 is a section of a partition screen support rail formed according to
the present invention;
- Figure 4 is a side view of the device of Figures 1 and 2 attached to the
partition screen support rail of Figure 3;
- Figure 5 is an underplan view of the device/rail of Figure 4;
- Figure 6 is a front view of a partitioning system comprising a support rail
as shown in Figure 3 carrying a partition screen, and having three devices of the
type shown in Figures 1 and 2 attached thereto;
- Figure 7 is a side view of the partitioning system of Figure 6 attached to a
table;
- Figure 8 is a side view of a wall-mounted vertically disposed support rail
formed according to the present invention attached to a partition screen via a
device formed according to the present invention;
- Figure 9 is a side view of an alternative partitioning system;
- Figure 10 is a side view of an alternative partitioning system;
- Figure 11 is an underplan view of the system of Figure 10;
- Figure 12 is a side view of a partitioning arrangement formed according to
the present invention; and
- Figure 13 is a section of an attachment device formed according to an
alternative embodiment.
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Referring first to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown an attachment device generally
indicated 10. The device 10 includes a generally C-shape body 20 comprising a
main plate 30 and upper and lower end plates 35, 40 extending transverse the
length of the main plate 30 at either end thereof.
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The end plate 40 extends passed the point at which it intersects the main plate 30 to
form a connecting flange 32. The flange 32 is provided with a screw 34 and a
tightening plate 34d. A connecting hook 31 projects from the back of the plate 30
and curls upwardly in the direction of the end plate 35. The purpose of the flange
32 and hook 31 is described in more detail below.
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A screw-threaded post 50 is connected to the lower end plate 40. The post 50 is
fixedly connected within an orifice 41 of the end plate 40 and as such cannot rotate
through the orifice 41. The post 50 is upstanding and projects rectilinearly into the
space defined by the body 20, towards the upper end plate 35.
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A knob 55 includes a screw-threaded central orifice 56 which allows the knob 55
to be movable along the length of the screw-threaded post 50 from the position
shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 2.
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An article 70, in this case a desk, to which the device 10 is to be clamped can be
introduced into the space defined by the body 20. Anti-clockwise turning of the
knob 55 results in an upward translation of the knob 55 itself whilst the post 50
remains stationary. Eventually, the upper surface 57 of the knob 55 itself engages
a lower surface 72 of the article 70. The underside of the end plate 35 carries a
foam pad 36 which protects an upper surface 71 of the article 70 during clamping.
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It will be appreciated that the knob 55 thereby fulfils the function both of a
clamping member, which includes the bearing surface for clamping against the
surface of an article, and the means for moving the clamping member into
clamping engagement with the article.
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In addition, it will be noted that because the post 50 remains stationary and
projects into the space defined by the body 20, and because the knob 55 is located
substantially within the space defined by the body 20, in use of the clamping
arrangement the knob 55 can be concealed from view by the lower end plate 40.
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Furthermore, because the post 50 remains stationary and does not project below
the end plate 40 the device 10 can be placed on an article with very small clearance
relative to the ground or another article. The clearance only needs to be as wide as
the end plate 40.
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Referring now to Figure 3 there is shown a partition screen support rail generally
indicated 80. The support rail 80 is formed from aluminium and includes a central
main body portion 85 comprising a generally box-shape hollow body, with
opposite side walls 86, 87. A lower end wall 89 joins the side walls 86, 87. At the
opposite end of the body two end wall portions 88a, 88b extend inwardly from the
side walls 86, 87.
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At one end 85a of the body 85 two legs 90, 91 extend from the sidewalls 86, 87
beyond the end wall 89. The legs 90, 91 are L-shape with first leg portions 90a,
91 a extending from the sidewalls 86, 87 and second leg portions 90b, 91b
extending inwardly from the ends of the first portions 90a, 91 a.
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At the other end 85b of the body 85 is a hollow stem 95 which extends from the
end wall portions 88a, 88b. The stem 95 is closed at its end opposite the end wall
portions 88a, 88b by a cross-piece 96. At either end of the cross-piece 96 legs 97,
98 extend transversely so that they are in line with the sidewalls 86, 87. The legs
97, 98 are similar to the legs 90, 91 in that they have a first leg portion 97a, 98a
extending transversely from the cross-piece 96 and at the opposite end of the leg
portions 97a, 98a are second leg portions 97b, 98b which extend inwardly. At the
opposite end to the leg portions 97b, 98b the portions 97a, 98a extend slightly
beyond the cross-piece 96 to form projections 97c, 98c.
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Referring now also to Figures 4 and 5 the device 10 of Figures 1 and 2 is shown
attached to a support rail 80 of the same general type as that shown in Figure 3
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In order to allow the device 10 to be connected to the support rail 80 the device 10
is provided with the connecting hook 31 and the connecting flange 32. The
connecting hook 31 projects rearwardly from the plate 30 and is curled upwardly
in the direction of the end of the plate 30 carrying the end plate 35. The
connecting flange 32 comprises a flat plate which extends from the end of the plate
30, in line with the end plate 40.
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The connecting flange 32 includes a chamfered orifice 33 for receiving a screw
fitting 34. The chamfered head 34a of the screw fitting 34 fits within the
chamfered orifice 33 and a screw threaded shaft 34b is connected by screw thread
engagement to a tightening plate 34d held spaced from the flange 32.
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In use, the device 10 can be slid over the end of the support rail 80 so that the hook
31 engages under the projection 98c and fits within the recess 99 created between
the cross-piece 96, the projection 98c, the stem 95 and the end wall 88. In addition
the connecting flange 32 spans the leg portions 90b, 91b. The tightening plate 34d
slides between the leg portions 90a, 91a and over the legs portions 90b, 91b.
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The arrangement of the clamp attachment means 31, 32 and the rail 80 is such that
once attached the device 10 can slide laterally along the rail 80 and its position is
therefore infinitely adjustable.
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When the device 10 is at the desired position with respect to the support rail 80 the
screw fitting 34 is turned which pulls the tightening plate 34d towards the
connecting flange 32. The projections 90b, 91b are clamped between the
tightening plate 34d and the connecting flange 32 to hold the device 10 securely in
place. The flange 32 abuts against the leg portions 90b, 91b and the hook 31 is
moved upwardly in the recess 99.
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As best shown in Figure 6 one or more devices 10 can be attached to a support rail
80 and their position can be independently and infinitely adjusted by sliding as
indicated by the arrows.
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A partition screen 74 is received between the legs 97, 98 of the support rail body
85, coming to rest on the cross-piece 96, and is held in place by the leg portions
97b, 98b, which cause the legs 97, 98 to grip the periphery of the screen 74.
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With the or each device 10 in place the partition screen 74 is offered up to the
horizontal worktop of a work table such as a desk 70.
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Referring now also in Figure 7, when the rail/device/screen assembly is in the
desired position with respect to the desk 70 the knob 55 is turned to clamp the
devices 10 to the desk 70 and to secure the screen 74 to the desk 70. The clamping
operation of the device 10 is as described above in relation to the device 10 shown
in Figures 1 and 2.
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Because the rail 80 includes the recess 99 for receiving the clamp hook 31, the
device 10 is attachable to the rail 80 without requiring any fixings such as screws
which require invasive and destructive attachment to the rail. The rail 80 is
unaffected by attachment of the device 10 and can be re-used as many times as
necessary without undesirable holes from invasive fixings. The same can be said
of the clamping arrangement, which has no detrimental effect on the article.
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Referring now to Figure 8 a device 110 of the type shown in Figures 1 and 2 is
shown connected to a support rail 180 which in turn is secured vertically to a wall.
The device 110 has been secured in the desired position on the rail 180 by a
tightening plate and screw as described in relation to Figure 4. A partition screen
174 is manoeuvred so that part of its periphery is received within the body of the
clamping arrangement. Thereafter the knob 155 is turned to clamp the screen 174
between the knob upper surface 157 and the end plate 135. In this embodiment,
therefore, the article to be clamped is the screen.
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Referring to Figure 9 there is shown a device and support rail according to an
alternative embodiment. Whereas in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7 the
support rail is adapted to receive one partition screen, in this embodiment the rail
280 is adapted to receive two screens. The rail 280 includes a body 285 with two
identical ends, each being similar to the end 85b of the rail 80 shown best in Figure
3. A screen 274a, 274b is received between respective pairs of legs 297, 298 at
each end of the body 285.
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Because the bottom end of the rail 280 also receives a screen 274b there is no
facility for a tightening plate as shown in Figure 4. In order to attach a device 210
to the rail, therefore, hooks 231a, 231b are provided at either end of the plate 230.
The hooks 231a, 231b are received within recesses 299 at either end of the rail
body 285 in the same way as the single hook 31 and recess 99 of Figure 4. Once
attached the device 210 can be slid along the rail 280 by virtue of engagement of
the hooks 231a, 231b within the recesses 299.
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The device/rail/screens assembly can now be offered up to a desk 270 as described
in relation to Figures 5 and 6. The screen 274b includes adjustable feet (not shown)
which extend from its lower edge to touch the floor.
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Referring now to Figures 10 and 11, a device 310 and support rail 380 according to
alternative embodiments are shown. In the same way as the rail 280 of Figure 9,
the rail 380 includes a body 385b with two identical ends 385b each being similar
to the end 85b of the rail of Figure 3. Accordingly the rail 380 can accommodate
two partition screens, one at either end thereof.
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The device 310 includes two generally triangular strengthening ribs 342 extending
between the main plate 330 and the lower plate 340.
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In order to attach the device 310 to the rail 380 the device 310 is provided with an
upper hook 331 and the rail 380 is provided with an upper recess 399, in the same
way as the arrangement shown in Figure 4. In addition, the device 310 includes a
screw 334 and plate 334d similar to those shown in Figure 4.
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In Figure 4 the screw 34 is carried in a flange 32 extending from the lower end
plate and the end plate is parallel to the flange 32 so that the plate 34d engages the
longitudinal groove running along the bottom of the rail. In Figures 9 and 10, the
screw 334 is located through a hole in the main plate 330 and accordingly the
tightening plate 334d lies parallel to the main plate 330. This necessitates a groove
formed in the front face of the rail 380. To achieve this the rail body 385 is
truncated at its lower end and the stem 395 is extended to provide a recess 399a
between the wall 388b and the crosspiece 396 within which the plate can be
slidably received and tightened as described in relation to Figure 4.
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This "face fixable" embodiment has the advantage that the rail 380 can receive two
screens (not shown) in the same way as the rail 280 of Figure 9 and the advantage
that the device 310 can be adjusted with respect to the rail 380 and then secured in
place in the same way as the device 10 of Figure 4.
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Face fixable devices can be fitted to the front of screens of any thickness as
opposed, for example, to the device 10 of Figure 4. In Figure 4 the flange 32
extends beneath the support rail 80 by a distance determined by the thickness of a
screen to be received.
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Referring now to Figure 12 the device 310 is shown forming part of a partitioning
system. A full-height partition screen 374 comprises an upper screen portion 374a
and a lower screen portion 374b. The portions 374a, 374b are spaced by an
attachment portion comprising a support rail 380 and an intermediate screen
portion 374c.
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The lower screen portion 374b is connected to the bottom side of the rail 380
between legs 397b. The intermediate screen portion 374c is connected to the top
side of the rail between legs 397a. In other embodiments (not shown) the rail 380
may be formed as an integral part of a screen.
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Between the intermediate screen portion 374c and the upper screen portion 374a is
a power unit 311 of the type shown in the Applicant's granted European patent
number EP1210756 the content of which is hereby incorporated.
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The device 310 is fixable to the front face of the screen 374 via the rail 380. With
one or more devices 310 on the rail 380 the screen can be offered up to a desk 370
and clamped in position.
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Referring now to Figure 13 there is shown a device 410 according to an alternative
embodiment. The device 410 comprises a generally C-shape body 420 forming
part of a clamping arrangement similar to that shown in figures 10 and 11. In this
embodiment the device is not adapted to be attached to a support rail but is instead
adapted to be attached directly to a partition screen 474. For this purpose the plate
430 of the body 420 includes an orifice 421 for receiving a fixing 422 which can
be driven into the screen to hold the device 410 firmly in place. Other methods of
attaching the device 410 to the screen 474 may be provided, such as a suction cup,
adhesive pad or clamping arrangement. Once the device is attached the operation
is as described above.
