GB2483897A

GB2483897A - Secure modular partition system

Info

Publication number: GB2483897A
Application number: GB1016051.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Harrington; Alasdair Colin Mcgregor
Original assignee: PRINCIPLE HOLDINGS Ltd
Current assignee: PRINCIPLE HOLDINGS Ltd
Priority date: 2010-09-24
Filing date: 2010-09-24
Publication date: 2012-03-28
Also published as: GB201016051D0

Abstract

A system for the modular construction of partitions (10, fig 1), the system comprising a plurality of modules (12, fig 1), each module comprising a panel (14, fig 2) and at least one profile 20a-d, each profile being attached to an edge of the panel and being adapted for connection to an adjacent profile of an adjacent module or to a structural building member. The panel may comprise a security layer 16, which may preferably be a metal mesh. The profile may comprise a panel fixing portion 22 may comprise two pairs of serrated projections 26a,b and 28a,b. The profile may further comprise a module fixing portion 24 which may comprise a flat plate which may include a plurality of holes 30 for receiving fixing means and slots 32 for receiving trunking for cables.

Description

I

Modular walling system

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system for the modular construction of partitions and a module for use therein.

Background to the Invention

Modular partition walling is known. It enables partition walls to be constructed quickly and easily. However, it is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved system for erecting a partition wall.

Furthermore in some environments, such as banks, building societies and court houses, conventional partition walls are not strong enough to provide the required security. Partition walls may need to be fire-resistant, bullet-resistant, blast-resistant or attack-resistant or a combination thereof. It is therefore a further aim of the invention to provide a system for the modular construction of partition walls that has improved strength.

Accordingly it is an aim of the present invention is to address at least one disadvantage associated with the prior art whether described herein or elsewhere.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a system for the modular construction of walling and a module for use therein as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims,

and the description which follows.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a system for the modular construction of partitions, the system comprising a plurality of modules, each module comprising a panel and at least one profile, each profile being attached to an edge of the panel and being adapted for connection to an adjacent profile of an adjacent module or to a structural building member.

Preferably the panel comprises a security layer. Preferably the security layer is a metal mesh. Alternatively the security layer may be a continuous layer. The security layer may comprise specialist steels, aluminium alloys and other non ferrous material, glass reinforced plastic, polycarbonate, carbon fibre or ballistic steel sheet material.

Preferably each said profile comprises a panel fixing portion and a module fixing portion, the panel fixing portion comprising a pair of projections extending along the length of the profile and clamping the security layer there between.

Preferably the panel further comprises one outer layer located on one side of the security layer. Each said profile may comprise a panel fixing portion and a module fixing portion, the panel fixing portion comprising a pair of projections extending along the length of the profile and clamping the outer layer and the security layer there between Preferably the panel further comprises two outer layers, each outer layer being located on a respective side of the security layer. The outer layer may comprise plywood, MDF, Sterling board, recycled composite material or glass reinforced plastic.

Preferably each said profile comprises a panel fixing portion and a module fixing portion. The panel fixing portion may comprise two pairs of projections extending along the length of the profile, each pair of projections clamping a said outer layer there between. The security layer may be clamped in the space formed between the two pairs of projections.

Preferably the projections are provided with serrations to clamp the respective outer layer.

Preferably the module fixing portion comprises a flat plate extending at 90 degrees to the plane of the panel.

Preferably the plate has a plurality of holes, each hole being adapted to receive a fixing means.

Preferably the plate has one or more slots, the or each slot being adapted to receiving trunking.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a module for use in a system as herein described, each module comprising a panel and at least one profile, each profile being attached to an edge of the panel and being adapted for connection to an adjacent profile of an adjacent module or to a structural building member.

The present invention includes any combination of the herein referred to features or limitations.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a partition wall comprising modules according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a front view of a module according to the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a corner of a module according to the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows a cross-section through the line AT of Figure 2 according to the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 shows two modules according to the first embodiment of the invention fixed in position on a wall; Figure 6 shows an enlarged view of area AK of Figure 5; Figure 7 shows an enlarged view of area AL of Figure 5; Figure 8 shows an enlarged view of area AM of Figure 5; Figure 9 shows the arrangement of Figure 5 with two additional modules attached to the first two modules; Figure 10 shows an enlarged view of area AN of Figure 9; Figure 11 shows an enlarged view of area AP of Figure 9; Figure 12 shows the partition wall of Figure 1 with trunking installed: Figure 13 shows a portion of the partition wall of Figure 1 with a number of cladding panels attached; Figure 14 shows the partition wall of Figure 1 with cladding panels attached; Figure 15 shows a cross-section through a module according to a second embodiment of the invention; and Figure 16 shows an enlarged view of a portion of area AQ of Figure 15.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Figure 1 shows a partition 10 constructed using the modular system of the present invention. The partition may be fire-resistant, bullet-resistant, blast-resistant, attack-resistant or a combination thereof. The partition comprises a plurality of modules 12 which are connected together as will be described below.

Each module 12 comprises a panel 14 and four profiles 20a-d. Each panel 14 comprises an inner layer 16 and two outer layers 18a and 18b. The inner layer 16 is a security layer in the form of a security mesh. However, the security layer 16 is not limited to security meshes and may be a solid sheet of material. The security layer 16 may comprise any suitable material capable of providing the required security protection, such as specialist steels, aluminium alloys and other non ferrous material, glass reinforced plastic, polycarbonate, carbon fibre and ballistic steel sheet material.

The outer layers 18a and 18b are preferably attack rated and comprise a material such as plywood, MDF, Stirling board, recycled composite material and glass reinforced plastic. The choice of material for both the inner layer 16 and the outer layers 18a and 18b will depend on whether, for example, the partition is required to be fire-resistant, bullet-resistant, blast-resistant, attack-resistant or a combination thereof.

Each profile 20a-d extends along a respective edge of the panel as shown in Figure 2.

Each profile 20a-d has a panel fixing portion 22 and a module fixing portion 24 as shown in Figure 3. The panel fixing portion 22 comprises two pairs of serrated projections 26a and 26b, 28a and 28b running along the length of the respective profile 20a-d. Each pair of serrated projections 26a and 26b, 28a and 28b is adapted to receive an outer layer I 8a or I 8b of the module 12 respectively. The serrations are shaped to enable easy insertion of the outer layer 18a and 18b, and also to hold the outer panels 18a and 18b securely in place by biting into the outer panel when the outer layer 18a or 18b is pulled in a direction away from the respective profile 20a-d.

The security layer 16 is accommodated in the space between the two pairs of serrated projections 26, 28.

The module fixing portion 24 is shown in Figure 4 and comprises a flat plate extending at 90 degrees to the plane of the panel 14. The plate has a plurality of holes 30, each hole for receiving a fixing means (described later). The plate of profiles 20a and 20b also has slots 32, each slot 32 for receiving trunking for electrical cables, optical cables and the like.

Although the plate of the module fixing portion 24 is shown with holes 30 for receiving fixing means, it may be provided with any suitable means to enable the respective profile 20a-d to be attached to an adjacent module 12 or a structural building member such as a wall, a floor, a ceiling or the like. Alternatively the plate may be fixed to the adjacent module 12, without the need for any such attachment means. Also, it is not always required to provide slots 32for receiving trunking. Thus, it may be desirable for the plate to be left blank.

Figure 5 shows the first two modules 12 of a partition fixed in position on a wall 34.

As can be seen in detail in Figures 6-8, the respective profiles 20b are attached to the wall 34 by fixing means in the form of bolts 36 inserted through the holes 30.

Likewise, the profile 20c of the upper module is attached to the ceiling (not shown) by means of bolts 36 inserted through the holes 30, and the profile 20d of the lower module is attached to the floor (not shown) by means of bolts 36 inserted through the holes 30. The two modules 12 are held together by fixing means in the form of bolts 38 inserted through each of the adjacent holes 30 in the profile 20d of the upper module 12 and the profile 20c of the lower module 12, each bolt 38 being fastened by means of a nut 40 and washer 41 (not shown).

Figure 9 shows the next two modules of the partition fixed in position to the first two modules. As can be seen in detail in Figures 10 and 11, the upper two modules 12 and lower two modules 12 are respectively held together by means of bolts 38 inserted through each of the adjacent holes 30 in the profile 20b of the left hand module and the profile 20a of the right hand module 12, each bolt 28 being fastened by means of a nut 40 and washer 41. The upper and lower modules 12 are held together by means of bolts 38 inserted through each of the adjacent holes 30 in the profile 20d of the upper module 12 and the profile 20c of the lower module 12, each bolt 28 being fastened by means of nut 40. The profile 20c of the upper module is attached to the ceiling (not shown) by means of bolts 36 inserted through the holes 30, and the profile 20d of the lower module is attached to the floor (not shown) by means of bolts 36 inserted through the holes 30.

The remaining modules of the partition are fixed in place to the ceiling, floor in a corresponding manner. Corners and junctions may be provided with appropriately shaped box sections or angle connectors to which the modules are attached.

Figure 12 shows the partition of Figure 1 with trunking 50 installed horizontally through the slots 32. Figures 1 and 12 also show that some of the lower modules 12 are provided with cut-out portions 52 in the panels 14 to accommodate equipment, such as a cash machine. Some of the lower modules 12 have also been provided with power and data modules Figure 13 shows a number of cladding panels 56 having been applied to the front of respective modules 12, i.e adjacent the outer layer 18a of the panel 14 of the module 12. Each cladding panel 56 is attached to its respective module by suitable fastening means from the rear. The fastening means should be attack rated. The fastening means may be angle or rear fixings, for example, screws through the security layer 16, Z channels etc. The cladding panels 56 are applied to the whole of the partition 10 as shown in Figure 14, to give it a more attractive appearance. The surface of the cladding panels 56 is prefinished to suit customer requirements. Some of the cladding panels 56 are provided with a cut-out portion 58 to match the cut-out portion 52 in the adjacent module 12.

Figures 15 and 16 show the construction of a module 12' according to a second embodiment of the invention. It is the same as the module 12 of the first embodiment of the invention, except as will now be described. All features that are the same as in the first embodiment will be referred to using the suffix Panel 14' comprises a security panel 16' and one outer panel 18a'. The panel fixing portion 22' comprises a pair of projections 60a and 60b running along the length of the respective profile 20a'-d'. The pair of projections 60a and 60b is adapted to receive the security layer 16' and the outer layer 18a' of the module 12.

The panel may also simply comprise a security layer, i.e. no outer panels. In this case the panel fixing portion may comprise a pair of projections running along the length of the respective profile which are adapted to receive the security layer.

The modules of the present invention may be provided in any size or shape. Although the modules described above are all rectangular, they may also be, for example, square or triangular. A range of modules of different sizes and shapes may be used in any one partition according to the requirements of the location.

Furthermore, the panel fixing portion may comprise any suitable panel fixing means and the module fixing portion may comprise any suitable module fixing means.

Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims 1. A system for the modular construction of partitions, the system comprising a plurality of modules, each module comprising a panel and at least one profile, each profile being attached to an edge of the panel and being adapted for connection to an adjacent profile of an adjacent module or to a structural building member.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the panel comprises a security layer.
3. A system according claim I or 2, wherein the security layer is a metal mesh.
4. A system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each said profile comprises a panel fixing portion and a module fixing portion, the panel fixing portion comprising a pair of projections extending along the length of the profile and clamping the security layer there between.
5. A system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the panel further comprises one outer layer.
6. A system according to any of claim 5, wherein each said profile comprises a panel fixing portion and a module fixing portion, the panel fixing portion comprising a pair of projections extending along the length of the profile and clamping the outer layer and the security layer there between.
7. A system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the panel further comprises two outer layers, each outer layer being located on a respective side of the security layer.
8. A system according to any of claims 7, wherein each said profile comprises a panel fixing portion and a module fixing portion, the panel fixing portion comprising two pairs of projections extending along the length of the profile, each pair of projections clamping a said outer layer there between and the security layer being clamped in the space formed between the two pairs of projections.
9. A system according to claim 8, wherein the projections are provided with serrations to clamp the respective outer layer.
10. A system according to any of claims 4, 6 or 8, wherein the module fixing portion comprises a flat plate extending at 90 degrees to the plane of the panel.
11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the plate has a plurality of holes, each hole being adapted to receiving a fixing means.
12. A system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the plate has one or more slots, the or each slot being adapted to receiving trunking.
13 A module for use in a system according to any preceding claim, each module comprising a panel and at least one profile, each profile being attached to an edge of the panel and being adapted for connection to an adjacent profile of an adjacent module or to a structural building member.
14. A system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of Figures.
15. A module substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of Figures.
16. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.