GB2192410A

GB2192410A - Edge strips for partitioning panels having reentrant keyways to take a locking strip

Info

Publication number: GB2192410A
Application number: GB08616518A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Timothy Royall Gearing
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-07-07
Filing date: 1986-07-07
Publication date: 1988-01-13
Also published as: GB8616518D0

Abstract

Edging strips 1 of a panelling system are formed from sheet steel and comprise a centre section 2 bounded by lateral rims on lips (3, Fig. 1). Opposed pairs of webs on lugs 4 project from the centre section 2 at intervals along the length of each strip 1 to define retaining recesses (5, Fig 2) between themselves and the lips (3, Fig. 1). On the opposite side of the centre section 2, further lugs or webs 6 project therefrom in opposed pairs, at intervals along the length of the strip 1. Two such strips 1 are linked by keys (8) adapted to fit in corresponding keyways formed by the lugs 6, when driven therebetween in the longitudinal direction. As insertion of keys 8 into the keyways does not require an access space between the opposed pairs of lugs 6, the distance between the edges of the assembled panels 7 can be reduced. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to partition ing.

This inventon concerns improvements in and relating td partitioning, more especially prefab ricated partitioning of the kind used for divid ing, for example, office space.

Such partitioning is known in which partition panels are located relatively to one another by metal edging strips which extend along the vertical edges of the panels, each pair of adja 'cent strips between juxtaposed panels being linked together by key elements inserted into facing channel sections of the edging strips after assembly of the panels and edging strips at the desired site. The access gap necessary between the adjacent strips to allow insertion of the key elements is then closed by a trim strip. In this arrangement the edging strips are formed óf- extruded aluminium channel sec tions, and the linking keys are H-shaped'sheet metal stamplings which are locked in place after insertion in the appropriate channels, by twisting from a vertical to a horizontal plane.

This prior'arrangement has a number of dis advantages. - In particular, the keying arrange ment requires a relatively large gap between the panel edges, so that unsightly joints are present in the finished system. Also the use of aluminium channel does not allow- of the construction system meeting fireproofing stan dards.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a partitioning arrangement that overcomes or reduces at least some of the disadvantage of the known system.

In accordance with one aspect of the inven tion edging -strips of a panelling system that are to be linked by interlocking- keys are each provided with a plurality of individual keyways spaced along the length of the- stdps, and the corresporiding keys are in the form of plugs, preferably tapered, which can be inserted into the corresponding individual keyways of the strips from open ends thereof and wedged in place by movement along the keyway. This has the advantage that the access space re quired between the edges of the panels for assembly- of-the system is reduced.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the edging strips of the panelling system are so shaped that they can be formed from sheet steel, for example by roll ing and stamping opera'tions; This has the considerable' advantage that sheet steel, unlike aluminium , is a material that is capable of meeting fireproofing requiremehts.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 3 are cross sections of a sheet steel edging strip for a partjtioning - system ac- cording to one embodiment of the invention, taken at points spaced along the length of the strip, and Figure 4 is plan view of a pair of edging strips as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, when linked together by matching keys.

Referring to the drawings, edging strips indicated generally at 1 are initially rolled from sheet steel to the cross section indicated in Fig. 1, and comprise a centre section 2 bounded by lateral rims or lips 3. At intervals along the length of each strip (see Fig 2) opposed pairs of webs or lugs 4 are stamped out of the centre section 1 to define between themselves and the lips 3 retaining recesses 5 into which can be inserted the edges of partition panels to be located by the edging strips.

There are also provided (see-Fig. 3), at an appropriate spacing from the lugs 4, webs or lugs 6 which are also stamped out of the centre section 2, in opposed pairs, at suitable intervals spaced along the length of the strip 1. As shown in Fig. 4, a joint between two vertically extending adjacent pairs of opposed partition panels indicated in broken lines at 7 is'formed by two strips 1 which are linked together by keys 8 engaging in corresponding keyways formed by the lugs 6, at appropriately vertically spaced intervals. The keys 8 are in the form of plugs having a cross section as indicated in Fig. 4 and having a length in the vertical direction which is sufficient to maintain the illustrated alignment with the lugs 6 as they are driven between the latter in the longitudinal direction.The cross section of the keys 8 preferably tapers in the longitudinal direction so that they become tightiy wedged in the keyways during insertion; In view of the spacing between the lugs 6, in the vertical direction, the insertion of the keys 8 into the keyways does not require an access space between the opposed pairs of lugs 6 so that distance between the edges of the assembled panels 7 can be reduced in comparison with that of the known arrangement referred to above. As in the known arrangement the space between the lips 2 of adjacent strips 1 can be filied by a suitable trim strip.

Although one preferred embodiment of the invention has been described above, it will be appreciated that various alterations and modifications to the system described may be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims, or, aiternativelyl any other underlying concept that would be recognised by one'skilled in the art and possessed of a full knowledge of the state of the art as constituting an inventive step. It is to be understood that the applicant reserves rights to any such additional inven tidn.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to partition ing. This inventon concerns improvements in and relating td partitioning, more especially prefab ricated partitioning of the kind used for divid ing, for example, office space. Such partitioning is known in which partition panels are located relatively to one another by metal edging strips which extend along the vertical edges of the panels, each pair of adja 'cent strips between juxtaposed panels being linked together by key elements inserted into facing channel sections of the edging strips after assembly of the panels and edging strips at the desired site. The access gap necessary between the adjacent strips to allow insertion of the key elements is then closed by a trim strip. In this arrangement the edging strips are formed óf- extruded aluminium channel sec tions, and the linking keys are H-shaped'sheet metal stamplings which are locked in place after insertion in the appropriate channels, by twisting from a vertical to a horizontal plane. This prior'arrangement has a number of dis advantages. - In particular, the keying arrange ment requires a relatively large gap between the panel edges, so that unsightly joints are present in the finished system. Also the use of aluminium channel does not allow- of the construction system meeting fireproofing stan dards. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a partitioning arrangement that overcomes or reduces at least some of the disadvantage of the known system. In accordance with one aspect of the inven tion edging -strips of a panelling system that are to be linked by interlocking- keys are each provided with a plurality of individual keyways spaced along the length of the- stdps, and the corresporiding keys are in the form of plugs, preferably tapered, which can be inserted into the corresponding individual keyways of the strips from open ends thereof and wedged in place by movement along the keyway. This has the advantage that the access space re quired between the edges of the panels for assembly- of-the system is reduced. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the edging strips of the panelling system are so shaped that they can be formed from sheet steel, for example by roll ing and stamping opera'tions; This has the considerable' advantage that sheet steel, unlike aluminium , is a material that is capable of meeting fireproofing requiremehts. The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 3 are cross sections of a sheet steel edging strip for a partjtioning - system ac- cording to one embodiment of the invention, taken at points spaced along the length of the strip, and Figure 4 is plan view of a pair of edging strips as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, when linked together by matching keys. Referring to the drawings, edging strips indicated generally at 1 are initially rolled from sheet steel to the cross section indicated in Fig. 1, and comprise a centre section 2 bounded by lateral rims or lips 3. At intervals along the length of each strip (see Fig 2) opposed pairs of webs or lugs 4 are stamped out of the centre section 1 to define between themselves and the lips 3 retaining recesses 5 into which can be inserted the edges of partition panels to be located by the edging strips. There are also provided (see-Fig. 3), at an appropriate spacing from the lugs 4, webs or lugs 6 which are also stamped out of the centre section 2, in opposed pairs, at suitable intervals spaced along the length of the strip 1. As shown in Fig. 4, a joint between two vertically extending adjacent pairs of opposed partition panels indicated in broken lines at 7 is'formed by two strips 1 which are linked together by keys 8 engaging in corresponding keyways formed by the lugs 6, at appropriately vertically spaced intervals. The keys 8 are in the form of plugs having a cross section as indicated in Fig. 4 and having a length in the vertical direction which is sufficient to maintain the illustrated alignment with the lugs 6 as they are driven between the latter in the longitudinal direction.The cross section of the keys 8 preferably tapers in the longitudinal direction so that they become tightiy wedged in the keyways during insertion; In view of the spacing between the lugs 6, in the vertical direction, the insertion of the keys 8 into the keyways does not require an access space between the opposed pairs of lugs 6 so that distance between the edges of the assembled panels 7 can be reduced in comparison with that of the known arrangement referred to above. As in the known arrangement the space between the lips 2 of adjacent strips 1 can be filied by a suitable trim strip. Although one preferred embodiment of the invention has been described above, it will be appreciated that various alterations and modifications to the system described may be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims, or, aiternativelyl any other underlying concept that would be recognised by one'skilled in the art and possessed of a full knowledge of the state of the art as constituting an inventive step. It is to be understood that the applicant reserves rights to any such additional inven tidn. CLAIMS

1. An edging strip for use in the assembly of partitioning, said strip being of the kind having opposed faces repectively adapted to engage and locate an edge of a partition and to be engaged by double headed keys for securing two like edging strips- in -back-to-back relationship, wherein that face to be engaged by said keys is provided with a plurality of individual key ways spaced along its length and having the form of open ended channels extending from a planar surface of said faces, whereby a plug-shaped key can be introduced between the facing planar surfaces of two such-strips and then inserted longitudinally into the open ends of two facing channels.

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2. An edging strip as claimed in Claim 1 in which that face which is to engage the edge of a partition has a centre section bounded by lateral rims or lips which serve to retain the outer faces-of a partition.

3. An edging strip as claimed in Claim 2 in which, at intervals along the length of said strip, opposed pairs of webs or lugs project ing away'from said centre section- to define between themselves and the said rims or lips retaining recesses into which may be inserted the edges of opposed panels forming the par tition to be located by the edging strips.

4. -An edging strip as claimed in Claim 3 in which e-ach -of-said lugs or webs define with respect t6 the base of the corresFonding re cess an-angle slightly greater than 90 to form a wedge surface for engagement by a- said -partition panel.

5. An edging -strip as claimed in any pre ceding Claim in which the said' key- ways are defined by opposed pairs- of lugs Or webs which extend from the corresponding face of said strip arid project towards each other to form a dovetail recess.

6. An edging strip as clainìed in Claim 5 as appended- to Claim 3 in which said strip is formed front: a sheet steel strip, said lugs or webs are stamped therefrom and the respec tive pairs of lugs on opposite faces are axially aligned and-'longitudinally staggered.- -

7. An assembly for use in she cönstruction of partitioning comprising a plurality of edging strips as claimed in any preceding claim, in combination'with a plurality of;nlating keys.

8. An assembly as claimed'in Claim 9, in which said keys taper in the longitudinal direc tion so that'they become tightly wedged in the keyways during insertion.

9; An edging strip substantially as de scribed herein with-reference to Figs. 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings;

10. An assembly substantially as described herein with 'r'eference to Fig. 4 of the accom panying drawings.

11-. A' partitioning system which includes an edging strip or an assembly as claimed in any preceding claim.