Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02411952 2002-11-15
1
PARTITION STRUCTURE COMPRISING FRAME AND RIGID PANELS
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a partition structure.
including rigid panel sections.
Background of the Invention
It is known to provide partition structures formed with
frames having top, bottom and side frame members secured
together, with panels received within the frame. These panels
are typically affixed to frame members by various types of
connectors, such as clips, staples or the like. Typically
support for the structure is provided primarily by the frame.
As such, the frame must be quite rigid in structure and must be
sufficiently sturdy and structured to support the partition
structure. This adds to the weight, material costs and
transportation costs. Further, assembly of the partition
structure is more laborious than may be considered necessary.
Summary of the Tnvention
Various aspects of the invention disclosed herein resolve
one or more of the above identified problems in novel and
unique ways. It is an object of the invention to provide an
improved panel structure.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is
provided a partition structure comprising a rectangular
peripheral frame having two spaced apart generally vertical
members and two spaced apart generally horizontal members. The
horizontal frame members are connected to the vertical frame
members at the corners thereof. A substantially rigid panel
section is connected to and confers rigidity to the frame.
In a preferred form, the panel and frame structure are
CA 02411952 2002-11-15
2
connected together in force transmitting manner so that
stresses to which the frame structure is subjected, for example
tensile and more especially compressive or torsional stresses,
are transmitted to and resisted primarily or substantially
wholly by the panel.
Preferably either the frame members or the edge of the
panel is or are of channel section and the panel is received in
the channel section frame member or the frame member has a
portion extending into and abutting the inner sides of the
channel section edge of the panel, thereby locating the panel
relative to the frame member. This arrangement may eliminate
the need for attachment means to secure the panel sections to
the frame members.
The provision of a partition structure having panel
sections which provide rigidity to the frame structure, allows
the use of a frame structure which is not particularly rigid
itself and may be more lightweight and inexpensive than known
structures.
Other advantages, features and characteristics of the
present invention, as well as methods of operation and
functions of the related elements of the structure, and the
combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become
more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed
description and the appended claims with reference to the
accompanying drawings, the latter of which is briefly described
hereinbelow.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first
embodiment of a partition structure in accordance with the
CA 02411952 2002-11-15
3
invention;
FIG. 2 is a vertical section view of th.e embodiment of the
partition structure of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a horizontal section view of a vertical frame
member of a partition structure and a portion of a panel
section in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a second
embodiment of a partition structure in accordance with the
invention;
FIG. 5 is a horizontal section view of a vertical frame
member in engagement with panes of glass in accordance with the
invention;
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a third
embodiment of a partition structure in accordance with the
invention;
FIG. 7 is vertical section view of the assembled
embodiment of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth
embodiment of a partition frame structure in accordance with
the invention;
FIGS. 9A-9J are a series of vertical sectional views of
various embodiments of partition structures in accordance with
the invention;
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of adjacent
peripheral frames secured together in accordance with the
invention; and
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of adjacent
peripheral frames secured together by means. of connector pieces
in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
In the description below, like reference numerals are used
to indicate components which are similar in the various
CA 02411952 2002-11-15
4
embodiments of the present invention. Referring to the
drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a
partition structure in accordance with the invention. The
partition structure comprises a rectangular peripheral frame 10
having two spaced apart generally vertical members 12 and two
spaced apart generally horizontal members 14U, 14L. Preferably
the vertical members are secured to the horizontal members by
means of screws 16 positioned at the corners thereof. The
screws 16 are inserted through screw openings 18 in the
vertical members 12 which are received in screw bosses 20
defined in the horizontal members 14U,14L, at the ends thereof.
A substantially rigid panel section 22 is connected to and
confers rigidity to the frame structure 10. Preferably the
panel section 22 is made of two outer skins/walls 24 secured to
a paper honeycomb core structure 26. The core structure
provides substantial rigidity to the panel section 22. In this
example, the core 26 is recessed inwardly with respect to the
edges of the skins or walls 24, so that the edges of the panel
section 22 are of channel section. Preferably the skins/walls
24 are comprised of medium density fiberboard (MDF) or any
other suitable material. The surfaces of the skins/walls 24 may
be fabric covered, veneered or painted. The panel section 22
may be an acoustic sound absorbing panel. Such an acoustic
panel may comprise perforated MDF outer skins, with a
fiberglass core.
A substantial amount of rigidity is provided to the frame
structure 10 by the panel section 22. The paper honeycomb care
26 provides rigidity with minimal added weight. The peripheral
frame 10 without the panel 22 connected thereto is not
particularly rigid and would distort to a greater extent than
the panel section 22 would when subjected to similar stresses.
CA 02411952 2002-11-15
Frame members 12, 14U, 14L may be comprised of steel, aluminum
or any suitable material. Because the peripheral frame is not
required to provide substantial rigidity to the partition
structure, it may be more light weight and inexpensive than if
the peripheral frame was providing rigidity to the structure.
To confer rigidity to the frame structure, preferably the
panel section 22 is compression fitted within the frame l0
against inner surfaces of the assembled frame members 12, 14U,
14L. In certain embodiments of the invention, as will be
described below, the securing of portions of each frame member
within the channel section edges of the panel, against the
inner surfaces of skin wall edge portions and core edges in
tight fitting engagement therewith, allows the panel to resist
tensile, compressive and torsional stresses which rnay be
applied to the frame. It should also be understood that, as
shown in other embodiments of the invention, the panel sections
may be inserted in channels defined in the inner side of frame
members in tight fit engagement therein, which likewise allows
the panel to resist stresses applied to the frame.
In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, each of the frame
members has a portion thereof inserted in tight fit engagement
within the channel section edges of the panel 22. In
particular, as can be seen in Figure 3, the outer surface of
inwardly disposed flanges 31 of vertical member 12 engages the
inner surface of the peripheral edges of the skins/walls 24 and
snugly fit's therein in tight engagement, with the side edge of
the skins/walls 24 engaging lateral flange 29. Likewise, the
upper horizontal member 14U has downwardly extending flanges 17
which extend within the channel section edge of the panel and
are compressed in tight fitting engagement with the inner
surfaces of the upper portion of the skins/walls 24 within the
CA 02411952 2002-11-15
6
channel section. The top edge of the skin/walls 24 are pressed
against flanges 15. Similarly, lower horizontal member 14L has
an upwardly extending portion 21 which is shaped to be snugly
fit within the lower channel section edge of the panel member
22 with its side walls 23 pressed against the inner walls of
the skins/walls 24. Laterally extending flanges 19 are adapted
to seat the lower edges of the skins/walls 24.
Shown in Figure 4 is a second embodiment of a partition
structure in accordance with the invention. This embodiment is
adapted to accept panes of glass within the peripheral frame
10. The panes of glass 36 are connected to and confer rigidity
to the peripheral frame of the embodiment..of Figure 4.
Horizontal members 14U, 14L are adapted to accept peripheral
portions of the panes of glass 36 in grooves 38,40,38',40'
defined therein. The panes of glass are compressed within the
grooves 38,40, 38', 40' in tight fit therein, which in part
allows the glass to resist forces such as compressive or
torsional forces applied to the frame, and thereby provide
rigidity to the frame. As can be seen in Figure 5, the glass is
pressed against flanges 29, and 31 of the vertical frame
members 12. Preferably, the glass 36 is bonded in force
transmitting manner by means of double sided tape, for example
VHB (trade-mark) tape to flanges 29 and 31. In such case, this
bonded connection between the glass and vertical members 12.
causes tensile stresses applied to the frame to be resisted by
the glass.
Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a further embodiment of a
partition structure wherein an intermediate transom member 50
is secured between the vertical members 12, secured to each
vertical member by screws 52 extending through screw openings
54 in vertical members 12 engaging screw bosses 56 at the ends
CA 02411952 2002-11-15
7
of the transom member 50. The transom member 50 divides the
space within the peripheral frame into upper 60 and lower 62
sections, thereby allowing the positioning of different
materials into each section. For example, shown in Figure 6,
the upper portion 60 includes panes of glass 36 and the lower
portion 62 includes panel section 22.
In the embodiment of Figure 6, the outer surface of
inwardly disposed flange 31 of vertical member 12 engages the
inner surface of the peripheral edges of the skins/walls 24
snugly fit therein in tight fit engagement, with the outer edge
of the skins/walls 24 engaging lateral flange 29. Lower
horizontal member 14L has an upwardly extending portion 21
which is shaped to be snugly fit within the lower channel
section edge of the panel member with its side walls 23 pressed
against the inner walls of the skins/walls 24. Laterally
extending flanges 19 are adapted to engage the lower edges of
the skins/walls 24.
Transom member includes downward extending portion 55
having laterally extending side portions 57 which engage the
inner sides of the upper portion of the panel section
skins/walls 24 in tight fit engagement therewith with the
channel section edge. The top edge of skin/walls engage the
bottom surface of flanges 53 with the upper edge of the core 26
pressed against portion 55 of the transom member 50. The panes
of glass 36 are compressed in tight fit engagement within
downwardly opening channels 38,40 in the upper horizontal frame
member 14U, and upwardly opening channels 70,72 in the transom
member 50. Glass panes are seated against flanges 29, and 31 of
the vertical frame members 12. As discussed above, the glass
may be bonded by double sided tape to flanges 29 and 31.
Again, this bonded connection between the glass and vertical
CA 02411952 2002-11-15
8
members causes further resistance to tensile forces applied to
the frame.
In the embodiment of Figure 6 and 7, as with other
embodiments of the invention, it is the panel section 22 and
panes of glass 36 which provide rigidity to the partition
structure.
Shown in Figure 8 is a further embodiment of the partition
structure which includes an alternate version of the
intermediate transom member 50. This transom member 50 is
securable between vertical members, by means of screws 52
inserted through openings 54 in the vertical members 12 and
received in screw bosses 56 in vertical flanges 66 secured to
the transom member 50 at each end thereof. These vertical
flanges 66 provide flat surfaces for engaging the inner surface
30 of the vertical members. The transom member 50 of this
embodiment includes a top portion 80 having upwardly extending
flanges 83 which extend within the channel section edges
defined by the skins/walls 24 and bottom edge of the core 26,
engaging the bottom edge of the core and the inner sides of
lower portion of the skins/walls 24 within the channel in tight
fit thereto. A bottom portion 82 is secured to the top portion
80 by intermediate support pieces 84,86.
First support piece 84 is positioned across the front and
second support piece 86 is positioned across the rear. of the
transom member 50. The bottom portion 82 has downward
extending flanges 88 extending into the channel section edge
defined by the skins/walls 24 and the upper edge of the core
26, engaging the top of the core 26 and the inner sides of the
upper portion of the skins/walls 24 in tight fit thereto.
Defined within the transom member between the upper and lower
CA 02411952 2002-11-15
9
portions 80, 82 is a transom channel 90 extending between the
vertical members 12.
vertical members define openings 92 which communicate
with the transom channel 90. Wiring and the like may be
inserted into the channel 90 through these openings 92. A
transom cover panel 94 may be press fit into engagement over
the transom member 50 on either side thereof. The first and
second support pieces 84,86 may define openings 98 therein,
which may be shaped to fit a standard electrical outlet therein
for communicating with wiring extending through the channel 90.
In the embodiment of Figure 8, the lower horizontal
frame member 14L has an upper portion 100 having upwardly
extending flanges 101 which extend within the channel section
defined by the lower edge of the core 26 and the skins/walls
24, the flanges 101 in tight fit engagement with the inner
surface of the skins/walls and the core 26. Lower ground
engaging portions 102, are joined to the upper portion 100 by
support members 106. A gap 108 is defined between the upper
portion 100 and the lower portion 102. The gap may communicate
with lower openings 92 in the vertical frame members, through
which wiring and the like may be extended. A panel cover 112
may be press fit into engagement over the front and rear of the
lower horizontal frame member 14L of the embodiment of Figure
8. The lower horizontal member is secured to the vertical
members by means of machine screw 16 inserted through openings
54 and into threaded openings 266 in vertical flanges 2~0.
As illustrated in Figures 1, 4, 6 and 8 the various
embodiments of partition structures include lower horizontal
members 14L positioned adjacent a floor surface. The lower
horizontal members 14L of the various embodiments have upper
CA 02411952 2002-11-15
surfaces adapted to seat a panel section 22 or panes of glass
36 and also have displacement means, preferably a threaded rod
form leveling leg 120, threadably engaged within a rod boss
122, for example in the form of a threaded nut welded to the
upper side of the lower horizontal member 14L, and rotatable to
adjust the height of the partition structure relative to the
floor. Preferably leveling legs 120 are positioned at each end
of the lower member 14L to allow for adjustment for uneven
floor surfaces.
It should be understood that the shape and profile of
transom member 50 and of horizontal members 14U, 14L, may be
varied to accept different shapes and sizes of panel sections
12 and panes of glass 36. Shown in Figs. 9A to 9J by way of
example are illustrations of various different side profiles of
the upper 14U, lower 14L and intermediate transom 50 members
engaging panel sections 22, or glass panes 36. As can be seen,
the panel sections have channel section edges defined by the
edges of the core 26 and walls 24, with portions of the upper,
lower and transom frame members, extending into the channel,
compressed therewithin in tight fit, when the frame is secured
together. Glass panels are shown to be inserted in tight fit
engagement within channels defined in upper, lower and transom
members.
Shown in Figure 10 are a plurality of peripheral frames 10
secured to each other. Adjacent peripheral frames may be
secured to each other in any known manner. By way of example,
shown in Figure 10, adjacent peripheral frames are secured
together by means of connector bolts 150 which are adapted for
insertion into openings 152 in vertical members 12 of adjacent
peripheral frames 10.
CA 02411952 2002-11-15
11
Preferably for connecting adjacent frames 10, the
connector bolt maybe a double ended bolt 150 such as that
utilized at top of the partition structure of Figure 8. The
double ended bolt has a bolt head 154 at each end and is
inserted within receiving openings 152 in each frame. The bolt
extends through this opening 152 and into a receiving space 161
within the horizontal frame member 14U. A transverse opening
160 in the horizontal member communicates with the receiving
space 161 and is positioned above the bolt, into which is
inserted a rotatable fastener piece 162 having a slot 164 which
is shaped to receive the head 154 of the bolt when the bolt is
inserted within the receiving space 161. Rotation of the
fastener piece 162 with the head secured in slot 164, secures
the head 154 in place within the frame. Preferably the
connector bolt 150 is a HAEFELE Minifix TM double ended bolt
with the HAEFELE Minifix TM 15 Housing acting as the inserted
fastener piece 162.
A single ended bolt 188, such as a HAEFELE Minifix TM bolt
may also be utilized which has one threaded end 190 and one
bolt head 154 adapted to be inserted into a receiving opening
152, which communicates with transverse opening 160 in which a
faster piece 162 may be rotated to secure the bolt head 154 in
place. The other end 190 has threading for threaded engagement
within a suitable receiving hole 191 of an adjacent peripheral
frame 10'.
Alternately or additionally, adjacent peripheral frames
may be secured together by means of screws 200 inserted through
vertical members engaging a nut or boss 202 positioned on the
adjacent vertical member. For example, shown in Figure 10,
preferably at the bottom edges of vertical members 12, machine
CA 02411952 2002-11-15
12
screw 200 connects peripheral frames 10,10' by engaging a nut
202 applied within the adjacent peripheral frame.
As can be seen in Figure 10, vertical frame members
include openings 92 defined therein which communicate with
channels 90 in the transom members 50 of frame structures,
thereby creating an elongate passageway extending through the
structural frames through which wiring and the like may be
inserted. Likewise, vertical frame members may include
openings 92 defined therein which communicate with the gap 108
in the lower horizontal member 14L, thereby creating a lower
elongate passageway extending through said structural frames,
through which wiring and the like may be inserted.
Often it is desirable to have adjacent frame structures
positioned at 90 degrees to each other. In order to achieve
such orientation, as shown in Figure 11, adjacent frames are
secured by an intermediate piece 220 having frame engaging
surfaces 222,224 at 90 degree orientation to each other. The
vertical frame members 12 of adjacent peripheral frames may be
secured by any suitable means to frame engaging surfaces
222,224. Preferably a single connector bolt 188 having a bolt
head 154 is received in opening 152 in vertical frame member
12, the bolt extending into the receiving space 161 in the
horizontal frame member. Transverse opening 160 in the
horizontal member is positioned above the bolt, into which is a
rotatable fastener piece 162 having a slot 164 which is
positioned and shaped to receive the head 154 of the bolt and
by rotation of the fastener piece 162, secure the head in
place. The other end of the bolt 188 has a threading which may
engage a threaded opening 230 in the frame engaging surfaces
222,224. Preferably a HAEFELE Minifix Connector Bolt is
utilized with the HAEFELE MINIFIX 15 Housing acting as the
CA 02411952 2002-11-15
13
fastener piece 162. A machine screw 200 may additionally or
alternately be utilized to secured intermediate piece 220 to
frame structure 10' by threading engagement with opening 221 in
vertical member of frame structure 10'. An alternate embodiment
of an intermediate piece 220' may be utilized at the bottom
edge of the frames. This alternate embodiment utilizes machine
screws 200 through openings 201 in the vertical members, in
threaded engagement with the alternate embodiment of the
intermediate piece 220'.
Openings 92 defined in adjacent vertical frame members are
positioned adjacent to each other so that wiring and the like
may be inserted through the adjacent channels 90 in the transom
member and gap 108 in lower horizontal member if desired. A
corner cover 250 may be press fit over the outside of the
intermediate pieces 220, 220° to provide a cover thereto.
