GB2334730A - Partitioning systems - Google Patents

Abstract

A component of a partitioning system comprises an elongate metal primary member 11, Figure 1, formed to provide re-entrant dove-tail shaped recesses 100, 300, each of which receives one side of a double-sided resilient clip 800. The other side of the clip 800 is engaged in a re-entrant recess in an elongate wooden secondary member 600, 700. Glass panes 900 held by gaskets 901 may be disposed between the members to form glazed partitioning. The wooden members 600, 700 may be readily unclipped and replaced, unless held by screws 650. The clip 800 may be H-shaped with divergent arms or S-shaped and made from either metal or plastics material.

Description

SPECIFICATIQN PARTITION1NG SYSTEMS Description Technical FieNd The invention relates to partitioning systems, and particularly to such systems having a primary elongate member which is made of metal, for example aluminium or aluminium alloy.

In known systems such elongate members are used, together with secondary elongate members, to form the vertical and horizontal components of a structure of a building, the areas between these components being filled with panels of opaque or transparent material, thereby forming partitions. Such partitions are used as windows and/or walls to separate, for example, rooms and corridors within a building, or to separate the interior of a shop or other building from the outside. Accordingly, in this specification the terms 'partition' and 'partitioning system' are tc be interpreted broadly as embracing all such aspects.

Background Art It is known to form partitions using metal primary elongate members whose cross-section perpendicular to its length is symmetrical about an axis which lies in the plane of the partitions In such partitions the panes of glass, or other material, may be restrained from movement by metal secondary elongate members which engage formations on the primary elongate members or by the formations themselves. It is also known for such secondary members to be demountable from the primary elongate member by inter-engageable clipping formations on the two members. Certain such secondary elongate members overlap the junction between the glass and the primary member when viewed towards the partition and appearance at this junction is that of the metal secondary member.

Disclosure of the Invention According to a first aspect of the invention a component for a partitioning system comprises an elongate metal primary member with which an elongate wooden secondary member is demountably attached by resilient clip means.

If such a secondary member overlaps the junction between the primary elongate member and the glass, or other partition filler, the appearance at the junction will be that of wood, which is, in certain circumstances, regarded as more pleasant than metal. Moreover, since the member is demountable the wood finish, e.g teak, rnahogany, pine etc., may be changed at will.

According to a second aspect of the invention a component for a partitioning system comprises an elongate metal primary member with a cross-section exliibiting at least one re-entrant recess, a double-sided resilient clip with one side of the clip engaging the re-entrant recess and the other side of the clip engaging a re-entrant recess in an elongate wooden secondary member.

According to a third aspect of the invention an elongate metal primary member for a partitioning system has a cross-section which is symmetrical about a vertical axis and includes a horizontal portion from which two arms extend, the arms being inwardly divergent from the vertical to form a reentrant recess for the reception of a resilient clip.

Definitions In this specification the figures of the drawings represent cross-sections of elongate members taken perpendicularly to their length. For convenience the term "section" is used for "crosssection perpendicular to the length". Also the term "horizontal" has been applied to direction across the paper from side to side, and the term "vertical" to the perpendicular direction up and down the paper from top to bottom It will be appreciated that when partitions are erected in real space the elongate members may be disposed in various directions as required, so that "horizontal" and "vertical" as used in this specification need have no relationship with these directions in real space. They are used here merely to define relative directions.

Brief Description othe Drawings Figure 1 represents a section of a first elongate metal primary member according to the invention.

Figure 2 represents a section of a second elongate metal primary member according to the invention Figure 3 represents the section of Figure 2 in association with wooden members to form a component of a double-glazing system Figures 4 represents an enlarged detail of Figure 3.

Figure 5 represents another enlarged detail of Figure 3.

Figure 6 represents a portion of the section of Figure 2 in association with various elements in a partitioning system.

Figure 7 represents a section of a third elongate metal primary member according to the invention.

Figure 8 represents the section of Figure 7 in association with wooden members to form a component in a partitioning system.

Note: The drawings show a high degree of symmetry, and certain elements whose identifications can be determined by symmetry have not been numbered to avoid clutter and to ease understanding.

Modes for carrying out the Invention.

Figure 1 shows a section of an elongate metal primary member 10 having a horizontal bar 410, which is divided vertically and horizontally by axes A-A' and B-B'. It is to be noted that the whole section 10 is symmetrical about both these axes. At equal distances from the centre of the bar a pair of transverse arms 103 are disposed which are inwardly inclined to the vertical.

These arms, together with the central bar portion 411 between them form a re-entrant recess 100 of detail shape whose opening is narrower than its base, and which opens vertically upwardly. A similar pair of arms on the other side of the bar 410 provide a similar recess opening vertically downwardly. The ends 101 of the arms 103 act as stops when the member is associated with secondary members as will be described.

At each end of the bar is a perpendicular transverse portion 304, and extending from the ends of this - through curved links - are inwardly inclined arms 303. The arms 303 together with the portion 304 form a re-entrant recess 300 of detail shape whose opening is narrower than its base. Thus horizontally opening recesses are provided at each end of the bar. The ends 301 of the arms 303 provide stop surfaces when associated with other members. Each of the four recesses is arranged to receive one side of a double-sided resilient clip in a manner to be described.

Extending outwardly from the base of each arm 303 is a link 305 to which a horizontal inwardly-directed support portion 200 is connected. A further link 254 connects to a horizontal outwardly-directed support portion 250, whose end 251 provides a stop surface. The link 254 is inclined to the vertical and formed to provide a recess 253 which may receive the head of a screw passing through the link 254 to enter an associated wooden member.

Part-way along the support portion 200 is a stub which acts as a stop for an associated component Furthermore, stubs 104 within the recesses 100 act as stops for resilient clips inserted in these recesses. Notches 252 and 258 are provided for locating fixing screws if necessary.

Figure 2 shows a section of a second elongate metal primary member 11 which is essentially the same as that of Figure 1 except that parts of the horizontal bar 410 have effectively been shifted out of the of the median plane A-A' to provide a larger available internal area.

However, the essential features have been retained.

It will be seen in Figure 2 that the outer portions of the central bar 410 between the arms 103 and the transverse portions 304 have been omitted. Instead each horizontal inwardly-directed support portion 200 on the upper side of the axis A-A' has been extended forming a longer portion 400 with an upper stop surface 402 and an upper stop stub 401. Also on that same side of the axis A-A' horizontal portions 405 project outwardly from an intermediate point on the arms 103. The horizontal portions 400 and 405 are joined by a vertical link 407, and this continues further inwardly to provide a stop 404.

It will be seen that the portions 400, 405, and 411, together with the links 407 and 103, provide the integrity of the member horizontally across the section Figure 3 shows the member of Figure 2 in a double glazing arrangement with elongate wooden secondary members 600 and 700. Figures 4 and 5 show details of the Figure 3 arrangement.

The wooden secondary members 600, 700, are provided with centrally-disposed detail grooves 601, 701 which correspond with reentrant recesses in the primary member. A double-sided resilient clip member 800, best seen in Figure 5, is generally of H cross-section having a central bar 801 from the ends of which diverging resilient arms 802 extend on either side. The divergence of the arms on one side from one another is greater in the relaxed state than in the constrained state shown. The dimensions of the clip correspond with the dimensions of the re-entrant recess in the metal primary member and the detail groove in the secondary wooden member, so that by engaging one side of the clip in the primary member the secondary member can be readily engaged with the other side of the clip. Thus the secondary member can be readily clipped on to the primary member or disengaged therefrom.

As shown glass panes 900 may be mounted between the secondary members 600, 700, by gaskets 901, the panes being mounted on supports 902. After clipping on the internal members 600, these may be more firmly secured by screws 650 which pass through the primary member 11 at locations designated by reference 253. It will be clear that the surfaces 402 and arm ends 101 as stop surfaces for the positioning the upper secondary member 600. Similarly the support portion 200 and arm ends 101 act as stop surfaces for positioning the lower secondary member 600. It is also clear that the ends 301 of the portions 303 and ends 251 of portions 250 act as stop surfaces for positioning the horizontal secondary members 700.

Figure 6 discloses a part of the member 11 in association with other members in a partitioning system A bracket 651 may be screwed to portion 405 at a position abutting the stop 404. An angled steel member 655 may be disposed abutting the stop 401, and a further steel member 654 may be fixed to a lower portion 250 by a screw 653 located at notch 252.

Figure 7 represents a section of a third elongate metal member 12, having a horizontal component which is symmetrical about a central vertical axis B-B' and is formed from a plurality of horizontal portions joined by links to form an integral structure.

A central horizontal portion 20 adjoins two transverse arms 21 inwardly inclined to the vertical and downwardly directed to form a re-entrant recess 22 of detail shape which is narrower at its opening than at its base. The ends 23 of the arms 21 constitute stop surfaces. On each side of the central portion 20 an upwardly-directed inclined link 24 joins a horizontal portion with a stop surface 26. A vertical link 27 joins portion 25 to a further horizontal portion 28.

Intermediate the ends of the portion 28 is an upstanding stub 29 with a stop surface 30 coplanar with the surface 26. The external end of the portion 28 is connected to a downwardly-directed link 31. This continues with three portions 32, 33, 34 which together form an arc providing a screw-receiving recess 35. A horizontal portion having a stop end 38 extends outwardly from a position part-way along the link 31.

As shown in Figure 8 a component for a partitioning system can be formed by associating the primary member 12 with four wooden secondary members 40, 41, 42, 43. The member 40 is provided with a detail slot 44 midway along one face. A double-sided clip 45, similar to the clip 800 previously described, is located within the recess 22 and the wooden member 40 is clipped on to the outer side of clip 45. The ends 23 limit the inward movement and the surfaces 33 and 36 engage with walls 50, 51 of corner recesses in the member 40 to prevent rocking. A screw 46 entering a recess 35 may secure the member 40 more firmly. A second wooden member 41 is disposed on surfaces 26 and 30. This member is provided with detail slots on either side, into which double sided clips are disposed, these being engaged by detail slots in wooden side members 42, 43. A screw 49 secures an angled steel member 48 to the portion 37 and wooden member 42. The recess on either side between the member 40 and the members 42 and 43 may receive glass, plasterboard or any other suitable material for a filler in a partitioning system.

Furthermore, the component of Figure 8 may comprise part of a door-frame in a partitioning system.

The clips disclosed herein may be of metal or plastics material, and may be s-shaped instead of H-shaped as shown.

Claims (13)

1. CLAIMS 1. A component for a partitioning system comprising an elongate metal primary member with which an elongate wooden secondary member is demountably attached by resilient clip means.
2. 2. A component for a partitioning system comprising an elongate metal primary member with a cross-section exhibiting at least one re-entrant recess, a double-sided resilient clip with one side of the clip engaging the re-entrant recess, and the other side of the clip engaging a recess in an elongate wooden secondary member.
3. 3. An elongate metal primary member for a partitioning system, the member having a cross-section which is symmetrical about a vertical axis and includes a horizontal portion from which two arms extend, the arms being inwardly divergent from the vertical to form a re-entrant recess for reception of a resilient clip.
4. 4. An elongate metal primary member according to Claim 3 in which a single horizontal bar extends across the section, the member being symmetrical about both horizontal and vertical axes.
5. 5. An elongate metal primary member according to Claim 3 wherein the horizontal portion is one of a plurality of horizontal portions linked together to form a bar extending across the member.
6. 6. An elongate metal primary member according to any of Claims 3, 4 and 5, the member providing four re-entrant recesses for the reception of resilient clips, the recesses opening in four orthogonal directions, and each recess comprising a base portion and two arms inwardly divergent from the normal.
7. 7. An elongate metal primary member according to any of Claims 3, 4, 5 and 6, wherein every re-entrant recess is of detail shape.
8. 8. A component for a partition system comprising an elongate metal primary member according to any of Claims 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, and at least one elongate wooden secondary member having a re-entrant recess, the members being demountably attached to one another by means of a double-sided resilient clip having one side disposed in the metal recess and the other side disposed in the wood recess.
9. 9. A component for a partitioning system according to Claim 8 wherein the wood recess is of detail shape.
10. 10. A component for a partitioning system according to any of Claims 1, 2 and 8, in which the clip is of H-shape with divergent arms.
11. 11. A component for a partitioning system according to any of Claims 1, 2 and 8, in which the clip is S-shaped.
12. 12. A component according to either Claim I or Claim 2, wherein the clip is of metal or plastics material.
13. 13. A component according to any of Claims 1,2 and 8 to 12, for forming a door-frame or a glazed part of a partitioning system.