Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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I
This invention relates to a new modular partition or space dividing element,
having for advantages a quite new aesthetics and a high degree of building and
erecting flexibility.
Such a modular partition is made of a number of identical panel elements which
5 are slightly bent and consequently self-supporting, i.e. do not need to be hung or
adapted in a way or another to support means.
In addition such elements can be connected by superposition as well as by
juxtaposition, with various relative orientations or configurations to create
assemblies which can be simple usual walls as well as more complex space
lO dividing means, in a manner similar to folding screens which, by folding and
unfolding can form closed cabins or half-closed spaces with variable outlines.
To this effect, the invention has for its object a round wall system with a variable
configu~ation, in shape and dimensions, characterized it comprises a number of
standard panel elements having each the shape of a cylinder vertical section
l 5 erected on one of its edges upon an horizontal base plate of elliptic shape having
substantially the same curvature as said panel, the vertical connection between said
panels each to another and between said base plate resulting from their own weight
and their positioning being obtained with vertical rods engaging vertical sleeves
provided on said base plate and in said edge breadth of the corresponding panel,20 whereas the horizontal connection being obtained through a small plate punched to
be traversed by said sleeves of two juxtaposed basis.
According to a first use of the system according to the invention, the curvature of
all superimposed panels is in the same orientation, to obtain a vertical wall with
constant curvature along its height.
25 According to a second use of the system according to the invention, the curvature
of several superimposed panels is alternatively in one orientation and in the reverse
orientation, to obtain with the corresponding basis concave alcoves vertically kept
apart by portions of convex walls.
According to a third use of the system according to the invention, the curvature of
30 several juxtaposed panels is in the same orientation, to obtain a wall or screen with
constant curvature along its length
According to a fourth use of the system according to the invention, the curvature
of several juxtaposed panels is alternatively in one orientation and in the reverse
orientation, to obtain a waved wall or screen.
35 All these uses can obviously be combined together to obtain various effects.
The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached
drawing, in which:
Fig. 1A and 1B show the two basic elements of a module according to the
invention, i.e. the curved vertical panel and the horizontal base plate therefor.
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Fig. 2 and 3 are auxiliary elements used for connecting several modules
together.
Fig. 4 is a front view of four modules assembled along several various
configurations.
Fig. 5 and 6 are horizontal cross-sections along V-V and Vl-VI of Fig. 4.
And Fig. 6a is an enlarged detail of Fig. 6.
The basic element of a space dividing module according the invention is a panel
1 as shown in perspective in Fig. 1B. This panel is a vertical section of a cylinder
having a vertical generatrix and an elliptical directrix. Said panel can be made of
l O any material such as wood, fireboard, solid synthetic plastic, cellular plastic and the
same, cut or mold with a breadth sufficient to obtain a good strength with the lightest
possible weight. Through the breadth of the panel are opened vertical holes 2, 2'
provided to receive connecting rods 3, shown in the drawing with circular cross
section, but which could be of any section.
l 5 Such a panel, resting vertically on an horizontal floor, is self-supporting, insofar
its curvature results in a plane resting area having the shape of the cross section of
the panel.
However, to obtain the possibility to create assemblies of large dimensions and
of various outlines, it is provided according to the invention a second basic element
~0 shown as a base plate 4 on Fig. 1A. Such a plate is of elliptic shape, of same
curvature and dimensions as the cross section of panel 1. Protruding in the samedirection from said plate are two vertical sleeves 5, located along one side of the
plate, substantically at the same distance together as the two vertical holes 2, 2' in
panel 1.
A dividing module according to the invention comprises therefore one panel 1
connected to a base plate 4 by two connecting rods 3 fitted respectively in the holes
2 and in the sleeves 5.
Such a module can be connected to a number of similar module in various
configurations, as examplified by Fig. 4 to 6, by using accessory elements 6 and 8 as
shown in Fig. 2 and 3.
In Fig. 4, a first module B is superposed to a second module A, and a third
module D is superposed to a fourth module C. In addition modules A and C are
juxtaposed and modules B and D are juxtaposed. Finally, modules A, B and C are
oriented in the same direction, whereas module D is oriented in the opposite
~5 direction, as shown on Fig. 5 and 6.
The mutual connections between the four modules is the following:
- Module A is connected to a base plate 4a through rods 3, as explained above.
- In the same manner module C is connected to a base plate 4c through rods 3.
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- Module B is connected to module A by rods 3 fitted in the mating holes 2 of the
respective edges.
- Module D is also connected to module C by rods 3, but with interposition of a
plate 6, having the same shape and dimensions as plate 4, but having holes 7
5 punched therethrough in place of sleeves 5, said plate 6 being kept in place
between panels C and D by rods 3 traversing holes 7. Due to the inversed
orientation of panels 1c and 1d, in the generally convex wall formed by the panels,
the space formed by the panel 1d, inversed, and consequently concave, can be
used as an alcove closed by the final upper plate 4 and the plate 6.
l O The laterai connection between the juxtaposed couples of modules A-c and B-Dis obtained by using small plates 8 as shown on Fig. 3 punched in 9, and slipped as
shown on the rods 3, as explained hereafter:
In case of two modules of the same orientation, such as A and C, the small plates
8 connect the corresponding rods 3 in the manner of the small links of a chain. In
l S case of modules of inversed orientation, such as B and D, since the holes 2 (and the
sleeves 5) are not aligned along the long axis of the ellipse, but are located along
the side of the ellipse, the small plate 8 cannot be aligned with the two base plates,
but obliquely
This is more clearly shown on Fig. 6a:
20 Considering two elliptic base plates 14-14', having a common long axis XX', the
plate 14 supporting a panel 11 oriented in the direction F by rods 13 located insleeves 15, and the plate 14' supporting a panel 11' oriented in the direction F' by
rods13' located in sleeves 15'.
Due to the position of sleeves 15 along the side of the plate 14 corresponding to
25 F, i.e. above XX', and of sleeves 15', along the side of plate 14' corresponding to F',
i.e. under the axis line XX', it is clear that the holes 19-19' of the platelet 18 are not
along the axis line XX', so that said platelet is oblique instead of being aligned as in
the case of panel 1 having the same orientation.
In this case it can be provided at the facing ends of plates 14-14', meshing teeth
3~ so that said p!ates would be brought in proper place to have the corresponding
panels 11-11' properly in line and not set off.
It should be understood that the entire assembly, whatever the number of used
elements, is connected by simple slipping of the different elements in and through
each other. In other words building and disassembling the assembly needs no tool35 nor specially trained installer.
Moreover it is possible at any moment to modify or to complete an assembly by
adding or suppressing elements or modifying their configuration. The entire
assembly is kept solid by filing its elements the ones upon the others.
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In addition, the same elements when disassembled, are easy to stock under a
very small volume, which needs only small transportation material, whereas big
trucks are presently needed to transport prefabricated walls.
