WO2002048474A1

WO2002048474A1 - Wall system

Info

Publication number: WO2002048474A1
Application number: PCT/NL2001/000894
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tjeerd Jacob Bosma; Daphne Haubrich; Andreas Cornelus Lemmens
Original assignee: N.V. Kema; Sergem Holding B.V.
Priority date: 2000-12-11
Filing date: 2001-12-10
Publication date: 2002-06-20
Also published as: AU2002225510A1; EP1349992A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a wall system, comprising : - substantially vertically extending columns; and - wall panels for connecting to the columns, Wherein the wall panels can be connected to the columns by means of a resilient, form-locking connection. The resilient, form-locking connection enables easy separation of the wall panels from vertical columns, so that the wall panels can be removed without damage and can be readily reused. According to a first preferred embodiment, the form-locking connection between the columns and the wall panels allows a mutual angular displacement through a maximun of 45°.

Description

WALL SYSTEM

The invention relates to a wall system, comprising substantially vertically extending columns and wall panels for connecting to the columns.

Such wall systems are generally known in the form of walls formed by metal columns against which plasterboard is fixed.

Such walls are mostly applied in office spaces to make smaller spaces. Experience shows that the lay-out of such spaces is often subject to change. When such a prior art wall system has to be modified, the plasterboard is generally lost, usually together with a large part of the vertical profiles, when the existing wall system is demolished.

This results in excessive waste of capital.

The present invention has for its object to provide a wall system wherein changes can be carried out without excessive material being lost during modification of the wall system configuration.

This object is achieved in that the wall panels can be connected to the columns by means of a resilient, form- locking connection. The resilient, form-locking connection enables easy separation of the wall panels from the vertical columns, so that the wall panels can be removed without damage and can be readily reused.

According to a first preferred embodiment, the form- locking connection between the columns and the wall panels allows a mutual angular displacement through a maximum of 45" .

Although the majority of walls are built in accordance with a rectangular grid system, situations can occur in which wall panels are required to connect to each other at different angles, for instance to make walls placed at an angle or walls angled in sectors.

This measure facilitates the construction of such walls, since no specific accessories are required to construct such walls and no "ad hoc" constructions have to be made.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the columns or the profiles associated with wall panels each comprise a profile part which is provided with at least one cylinder segment-shaped cavity which extends over an angle of at least 180', and profiles associated with the wall panels or the columns comprise a profile part which is provided with at least one cylinder segment-shaped body which extends over an angle of at least 225', and in the case of a closed connection the substantially cylindrical body is situated concentrically within the substantially cylinder-shaped cavity.

This embodiment results in a combination of a great strength of the connection between the columns and the wall panels, wherein the freedom necessary to provide the required angular displacement is however still obtained.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the columns are provided with four segment-shaped cavities which are distributed symmetrically over the periphery of the column.

This structure enables arranging of walls in a rectangular grid, while the mutual angle of 90°, together with the maximum permissible angular displacement of 45°, enables walls to be connected to each other at all possible angles .

In order to facilitate coupling of the wall panels to the columns, extensions which extend outward in substantially radial direction are arranged on the distal ends of the wall parts of the cylinder-shaped cavities.

According to yet another preferred embodiment the cylinder segment-shaped body of the profiles fixed to the wall elements is hollow, and is connected to the remaining part of the profile by means of two profile pieces. A simple, easily extrudable profile form is hereby obtained which still meets the necessary strength requirements.

According to yet another preferred embodiment the wall panels comprise two plates, each of which is connected to both profiles and between which there is a hollow space.

It hereby becomes possible to create a greater degree of thermal and acoustic insulation between the two spaces between which the wall panels are arranged. In order to facilitate construction and demolition of the wall constructions the plates are connected to the profiles by means of a resilient form-locking connection.

The plates preferably each comprise two thin walls which are mutually connected by connecting pieces. Using this construction the material consumption is minimized, while a sufficient strength is nevertheless obtained. It is pointed out here that such a panel can for instance be made from extrudable materials.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, a weighting panel extends in the hollow space between the wall panels. This weighting panel also contributes toward the stability of the construction, and moreover enhances the acoustic insulation. With a correct choice of material for this weighting panel a greater degree of fire-retarding is furthermore obtained.

A specific preferred embodiment teaches that the cylinder segment-shaped bodies are hollow and that the weighting panel extends into the cylinder segment-shaped bodies. The effectiveness of the weighting panel is hereby increased, thus improving the favourable effects thereof on the construction.

A further embodiment teaches that oblique wall pieces are arranged in the hollow space in the cylinder segment- shaped bodies for guiding the weighting panels when the weighting panels are moved into the hollow space, and that the profile is provided with inward extending wall pieces, wherein the distance between the wall pieces is as great as the distance between the profile pieces with which the hollow cylinder-shaped body is connected to the profile. The insertion of the weighting panels is facilitated with this construction, while on the other hand the wall pieces bring about a sealing of the profiles, which results in a further improvement in acoustic and thermal insulation. According to yet another preferred embodiment, the profiles are provided on at least one of their sides with a groove for form-locking with a cover profile for arranging on the outer side of the profile. It is firstly possible with this cover profile to cover the space between the wall panels and the columns, which enhances the appearance of the constructed wall.

It is however also possible for a further wall covering to be arranged on the wall panels, for instance in the form of wallpaper, veneer, a plastic layer and the like, and wherein the profile can be used to cover joins in this wall covering.

A specific preferred embodiment comprises the measure that wall panels each comprise an element which can be coupled to the profile, and that both elements comprise wall pieces which are slidable along each other.

This construction provides the option of applying the wall construction in situations where wall pieces not corresponding to the modular size have to be fitted in. Sawing of wall panels can also be prevented in these situations, since the measure provides for sliding of the wall pieces along each other.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the wall system according to the invention comprises connecting profiles which are flat on one side and which can be coupled to the profiles.

These connecting profiles provide the option of having the wall end against structural walls of the building in which the wall system is applied, without specific measures having to be taken for this purpose.

Another preferred embodiment provides frame profiles which can be coupled to the profiles . It hereby becomes possible to arrange windows and doors in the wall system according to the invention. According to a final preferred embodiment, the components of the wall system are manufactured from plastic. Although it is unusual in wall systems to apply plastic to any great extent, many plastics have been found to have

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Figure 8 shows a frame profile 32 which can be clamped onto profiles 9. Frame profile 32 is provided with grooves 33 in which sheets of glass can be placed.

Frame profile 32 can in addition be used as bar between sheets of glass owing to the presence of grooves 34 on the other side .

It is further possible to place a door profile 35 on frame profile 32 by means of for instance a screw connection.

Claims

1. Wall system, comprising: - substantially vertically extending columns; and

- wall panels for connecting to the columns, characterized in that the wall panels can be connected to the columns by means of a resilient, form-locking connection.

2. Wall system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the form-locking connection between the columns and the wall panels allows a mutual angular displacement through a maximum of 45' .

3. Wall system as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that

- the columns or the profiles associated with the wall panels each comprise a profile part which is provided with at least one cylinder segment-shaped cavity which extends over an angle of at least 180°; - the profiles associated with the wall panels or the columns comprise a profile part which is provided with at least one cylinder segment-shaped body which extends over an angle of at least 225°; and

- in the case of a closed connection the substantially cylindrical body is situated concentrically within the substantially cylinder-shaped cavity.

4. Wall system as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the columns are provided with four cylinder segment- shaped cavities which are distributed symmetrically over the periphery of the column.

5. Wall system as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the distal ends of wall parts of the cylinder-shaped cavities of the columns are provided with extensions which extend outward in substantially radial direction.

6. Wall system as claimed in any of the claims 2-5, characterized in that the cylinder segment-shaped body of the profiles fixed to the wall elements is hollow, and is connected to the remaining part of the profile by means of two profile pieces.

7. Wall system as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the wall panels comprise two plates, each of which is connected to both profiles and between which is situated a hollow space.

8. Wall system as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the plates are connected to the profiles by means of a resilient form-locking connection.

9. Wall system as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the plates each comprise two thin walls which are mutually connected by connecting pieces.

10. Wall system as claimed in claim 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that a weighting panel extends in the hollow space between the wall panels.

11. Wall system as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the cylinder segment-shaped bodies are hollow and that the weighting panel extends into the cylinder segment-shaped bodies .

12. Wall system as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that oblique wall pieces are arranged in the hollow space in the cylinder segment-shaped bodies for guiding the weighting panels when the weighting panels are moved into the hollow space, and that the profile is provided with inward extending wall pieces, wherein the distance between the wall pieces is as great as the distance between the profile pieces with which the hollow cylinder-shaped body is connected to the profile.

13. Wall system as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the profiles are provided on at least one of their sides with a groove for form-locking with a cover profile for arranging on the outer side of the profile.

14. Wall system as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the wall panels each comprise an element which can be coupled to the profile, and that both elements comprise wall pieces which are slidable along each other .

15. Wall system as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized by connecting profiles which are flat on one side and which can be coupled to the profiles.

16. Wall system as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized by frame profiles which can be coupled to the connecting profiles.

17. Wall system as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the components of the wall system are manufactured from plastic.