NZ197126A - Demountable partition with curved panelling flexed flat against framework - Google Patents

Description

197126 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 19 53 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION AFTER PROVISIONAL; NO: 197126 DATED; 18 May 19 81 IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO WALLING SYSTEMS We, NESLO OF NEW ZEALAND LIMITED a New Zealand Company of 8 Commerce Street, Auckland, New Zealand do hereby declare this invention to be described in and by the following statement: 197126 This invention relates to a system of walling and more particularly to a partitioning system.

In the past, partitioning systems for buildings, especially for example, interiors of buildings, have been provided of a type which incorporate an upper and lower channel portion and upright member engaged there between in the form of studs to provide a framework.

Wall panelling material is subsequently applied to the erected framework for example, by the use of clipping means, screws and the like and joints between adjacent panels are subsequently stopped and plastered, or alternatively, covered with a cover strip. These constructions have incorporated inherent problems of, on thecne hand, cost of erection, owing to high labour cost, the necessity of various sub-trades to coincide and arrive to work on the job. Furthermore, as such partitioning systems require usually plastering, or some other trimming this incurs additional time and thus labour costs in the construction. In certain instances, it has also been found that the provision of jointing strips is less aesthetically unacceptable.

Furthermore, in the main, partitioning systems have been found to be difficult to demount owing to the damage which is generally caused to the partitioning. In some demountable partitioning, it has been found to be exceptionally difficult for clipping and other fixing or securing means for panels of the partitioning to be actually physically disengaged and removed from the 197126 framework system.

It is therefore an object of this invention to come some way in overcoming the abovementioned problems or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a walling arrangement including at least one elongate upright member engageable in a supporting structure, said at least one upright provided with a first part of a co-operating engaging member on a receiving face thereof, a sheathing panel engaged with said upright via a second part of said panel adjacent said first co-operating part and said elongate member.

According to a further aspect of this invention there is provided a method of engaging panelling with a framework including engaging a first part of a co-operating engaging member with said framework, engaging a second part of the co-operating engaging member with said panelling forming said panelling into a bent configuration to provide an at least partially convex rear surface thereon, abutting said panel against said framework with said rearface adjacent said framework by engaging at least two opposing outer edges of said panelling with said framework and pulling said panelling adjacent said framework to thus abut a mid portion of said rearface against said framework and interengage the aligning portions of said first and second co-operating portions with each other. 197126 Other aspects of this invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following description.

The preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1; shows a substantially diagrammatic plan view of the invention.

Figure 2: shows a substantially disgrammatic cross-sectional side elevation of the invention showing panelling being engaged in position according to the method of this invention.

With reference to the drawings, and particularly with reference to Figure 2, the walling arrangement as generally indicated by arrow 1 is provided preferably; although not essentially, for engagement between a floor and a ceiling of a building.

The framework of the walling 1 incorporates a substantially upright members for example, a Z-shaped stud members 4 (see Figure 1). It is to be appreciated however, that other cross-sections of stud or upright members 4 could be alternatively utilized.

The upright member 4 is preferably engaged at adjacent ends with the ceiling 3 and floor 2 via channel members 5 and 6 respectively, the channel member 5 being substantially neat fit and having a base portion engaged with the floor 197126 and having side flanges 7 extending upwardly for engaging a lower end 8 of the upright member 4 the upper end 9 of the upright member 4 is also engaged within a channel member 6 however, in this form of the invention the channel member 6 is provided of substantially wider cross-section so as to provide a recess 10 on either side of the upper end 9 for receiving an upper edge 11 of walling sheets 12.

Particularly with reference to Figure 1, the upright members 4 are each provided at predetermined intervals with a first portion 20 of co-operating engaging means in this form of the invention, preferably either a pressure sensitive hooked or looped/hooked portion of VELCRO (trade mark) releasable securing irate rial. Preferably, the first part 20 is engaged with flanges 21 of the upright member 4 substantially transversely thereof at a series of intervals through the lengths of the upright member 4 as shown in Figure 2.

The walling panels 12 in this form of the invention are similarly provided on a rear face 13 thereof with co-operating second portions 23 of releasable engaging means for example, looped or hook members or VELCRO (trade mark) material and in this form, preferably (although not essentially) the VELCRO (trade mark) material is affixed with the upright 4 and cladding 12 by provision of the VELCRO (trade mark) material in a pressure sensitive "sticky back" configuration that is, in a substantially self-adhesive manner. However, in alternative forms of the invention, it is envisaged that the VELCRO (trade mark) material may be attached by other means, for example, 197126 fixing means for example, staples and the like.

It will be appreciated that the wall cladding material 12 is able to be readily secured with the framework of the walling and particularly the flanges of the upright member 4 in a substantially removable manner and in a relatively clean and trim free configuration.

Particularly with reference to Figure 2, the particular form of the invention is provided according to a method whereby the wall cladding is provided with an inherent bend therein, prior to installation so that the rear face 13 of the cladding 12 is substantially convex from adjacent the upper edge 11 to adjacent the lower edge 14.

The cladding 12 is preferably provided with the preformed bend by laying the cladding 12 across supports ajdacent upper edge 11 and lower edge 14 with the rear face 13 downwardly whereupon gravity upon the cladding 12 provides the bent configuration required.

In the alternative forms of the invention the cladding 12 is preformed with a bend therein, for example by moulding the framework in this configuration during the manufacturing process.

The cladding 12 is engaged with the framework by engaging the upper edge 11 within the recess 10 with the lower edge separated a distance away from the remaining portions of the framework and thereafter, by forcing the lower edge 14 inwardly and fixing said lower edge 14 adjacent the lower end 8 of the upright 4 for example, by 197126 li securement of a skirting 24 therealong and with the framework.

It will thus be appreciated that owing to the substantially curved nature convex rear face of the panel 12, upon forcing of the lower edge 14 against the framework the mid portions of the panelling are brought into distinct contact with the framework and in particular the uprights 4 to enable the first and second parts 20 and 23 to inter-engage with one another to secure the panels onto the framework.

In this particular form of the invention, preferably the VELCRO (trade mark) material is affixed to the upright 4 in a substantially transverse manner and the VELCRO (trade mark) material is attached to the rear face of the panelling in a corresponding position; as a substantially upright strip so as to ensure inter-engagement of the parts with one another on positioning of the sheet upon the framework.

With particular.reference to Figure 1, preferably the walling or panelling 12 edges are substantially aligned and butted with one another to provide an aesthetically pleasing joint however, in alternative forms of the invention, it is envisaged that alternative joint means could be provided however, in the preferred form of the invention jointing means are preferably dispensed with and edges of the walling 12 are suitably trimmed so that the butted joint provides an aesthetically pleasing configuration. -s- 197128 Thus by this invention there is provided a demountable partitioning for buildings which is of substantially simple 't construction and is suited to speedy erection and demounting. 9_ 197126

Claims (11)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A method of engaging flexible panelling with a framework including engaging a first part of a co-operating engaging member with said framework, engaging a second part of the co-operating engaging member with said panelling, forming said panelling in a bent configuration to provide an at least partially convex rear surface thereon, abutting said panelling against said framework with said rear surface adjacent said framework by engaging at least two opposing outer edges of said panelling adjacent said framework to substantially flatten said panelling and thus abut a mid portion of said rear surface against said framework and inter-engage aligned first and second parts of the co-operating engaging member with each other.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 including the steps of forming said panelling into a bent configuration by laying substantially flat sheets between spaced apart supports, supporting said sheet adjacent at least two opposing outer edges and allowing gravity to bend said sheet.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 including the step of pre-forming said panelling into the bent configuration. 197126 10-

4. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including the step of forming the bent configuration between opposing intended upper and lower edges of said panelling.

5. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including the step of engaging pressure sensitive co-operating engaging members with said panelling and said framework in positions where at least part of the pressure sensitive engaging portions come into contact when the panelling is flattened against the framework.

6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including the steps of providing a recess in said framework into which one opposing outer edgeAis engaged, the other opposing edge of the panelling being secured with adjacent portions of the framework.

7. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including the steps of, engaging an inverted first channel member adjacent a ceiling of a building, engaging a second channel member in register beneath said first channel member adjacent a floor of the building said channel members having their recesses directed towards each other, engaging at least one stud member of the framework in said •ofiKe. pcuMiJli'"*} Of* . 1 Q V 197126 - ii- channels so that a recess is provided on at least one side of said stud in association with one of said channels and engaging an edge of said panelling therein.

8. A method as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the other opposing edge of the panelling is engaged adjacent the second channel member and wherein a skirting is secured outwardly of said other opposing edge.

9. A wall including at least one elongate upright member of a framework, said upright provided with a first part of a co-operating engaging member on a receiving face, a flexible panelling having an at least partially convex rear surface flexed flat against said upright and having a second part of the co-operating engaging member mounted on the rear surface thereof in a position aligned and engaged with said first part thereof.

10. A wall as claimed in claim 9 wherein the co-operating engaging members are pressure sensitive.

11. A wall as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the co-operating engaging members include hook portions or hook and loop portions which inter-engage. 197126 - 12- A wall as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 9 to 11 wherein the framework includes a channel member mounted adjacent each end of said at least one upright, one channel member being of a width substantially commensurate with a width of said at least one upright, the other channel member providing a recess on at least one side of the adjacent end of said at least one upright and engaging an edge of said panelling. A wall as claimed in claim 12 wherein the recess is provided on each side of said upright adjacent said channel and wherein panelling is engaged on each side of the at least one upright with edge thereof engaged in each recess. A wall as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 9 to 13 wherein a second part of said co-operating engaging member is provided on mid portions of said panel and wherein a first part of said co-operating engaging member is engaged in a similar position upon said at least one upright and wherein said first and second parts of said co-operating engaging member inter-engage. 197126 " 13 — A wall as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. A method as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. NESLO OF NEW ZEALAND LIMITED BY THEIR ATTORNEYS BALDWIN, SON § CAREY E N x O v 33A | a: I *4DEC 1985,? V V\