Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Multiroom or level – Partition secured to and crossed by preconstructed barrier
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-03
2002-07-09
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Multiroom or level
Partition secured to and crossed by preconstructed barrier
C052S241000, C052S481200, C052S584100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06415568
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a partition, in particular for exhibition and show stands, which can be constructed from a plurality of inherently rigid wall elements. The wall elements are formed by a frame, which essentially produces the mechanical strength, and two panel plates covering the frame on the outside. The individual wall elements are detachably connectable to one another by means of coupling members, so that the various partition geometries can be constructed from individual wall elements.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Partition systems of the above type having self-supporting wall elements are known. A partition system is described in EP 0 455 656 B1, whose individual wall elements each comprise locking recesses on one vertical side and coupling journals on the opposite vertical side of a wall element which is to be connected. If a partition is to be constructed from these wall elements, it is necessary to suspend the individual wall elements with their coupling journals in the locking recesses of the subsequent wall element in each case. As a result a securely joined partition construction is produced from the individual wall elements. A disadvantage of this partition system is that following construction of the partition wall it is only possible to remove the last wall element suspended in the partition construction. Wall elements which are fitted between two other wall elements can only be removed with a great deal of effort. If the partition geometry is to be altered or extended following construction of one part of the partition as a result it is necessary to dismantle all the wall elements and to reconstruct the partition from the beginning.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the invention to provide a partition of the initial described type in which the individual wall elements can be simply dismantled from an already erected partition construction.
According to the invention, Exhibition/show stand partitions are provided comprising a plurality of inherently rigid wall elements. Each wall element includes a frame with vertical frame limbs and at least two panel plates covering the frame and defining an outside. Coupling members are also provided. The individual wall elements are releasably connectable to one another by a corresponding coupling member. Each coupling member includes three partial elements comprising two frame connections and a connecting element. Each of the frame connections is arranged in each case in a region outside of the vertical frame limbs of two wall elements which are to be connected. The frame connections and the connecting elements comprise matching operating surfaces, providing clamping engagement behind the operating surfaces on the frame connections.
The individual wall elements of the partition according to the invention are connected to one another by means of three-part coupling members. Each coupling member comprises two frame connections, which are fixedly, more particularly integrally, connected to the vertical frame limbs of the wall elements on the outside thereof, and a connecting element in each case. The frame connections and the connecting element comprise matching operating surfaces, which allow the operating surfaces on the connecting element to engage in a clamping manner behind the operating surfaces on the frame connections. If two wall elements are to be connected to one another, these elements are positioned next to one another on the floor laterally offset relative to one another and the vertical lateral surfaces of the frames are aligned until two frame connections which are to be connected lie directly opposite one another. In this position, a connecting element can be fitted onto two oppositely disposed frame connections in each case. The number of coupling members by means of which two wall elements are connected in each case is of no consequence according to the invention. However, in order to ensure the required rigidity of the partition, two wall elements should be connected to one another using at least two coupling members in each case. If a single partition element is to be removed from the partition construction, it is merely necessary to release the connecting elements of the coupling members in question, and the wall element is then lifted out of the construction.
The assembly of the partition wall elements can be effected in a particularly simple manner if the frame connections are arranged fitted on the vertical outer edges of the wall elements. This arrangement produces a horizontal spacing between the individual wall elements, so that the frame connections are easily accessible during assembly. The horizontal intermediate space between the wall elements allows for simple assembly and dismantling of the connecting elements. In addition, the fitted arrangement of the frame connections allows for the formation of the frame from four simple profile sections, which are connected to one another at the corners and on whose outer side the frame connections are arranged. In this respect, all types of frame constructions are possible in principle. However, it is particularly expedient to construct the frame limbs from hollow profile elements and to provide a frame connection in the region of the corners in each case. In this respect, it is possible to connect the individual hollow profiles by means of inserted corner elements, a frame connection being arranged on the corner elements in each case. Thus, it is possible to manufacture wall elements of any size by simply varying the length of the hollow profile elements whilst using the same corner elements at all times.
The required matching operating surfaces on the frame connections and on the connecting element can be manufactured in a particularly simple manner in that the frame connection is constructed as a bolt-like molded element with engageable clamping surfaces and the connecting element is constructed as an open hollow cube. The connecting bolt can then engage behind the lateral walls of the connecting element, and the cube walling is clamped between the lateral outer wall of the vertical frame limb and the clamping surface of the connecting bolt.
In order to obtain a bearing surface between the bolt and hollow cube which is as large as possible, the hollow cube can comprise recesses in its lateral surfaces, which recesses open towards the open side of the hollow cube and can be penetrated by the projection of the frame connection. The clamping surface of the bolt comes to rest against the inside of the hollow cube in the peripheral region of the grooves. Once a hollow cube is fitted on a connecting bolt, it can be pushed onto the bolt until the end of the recess comes to abut against the bolt projection.
In order to prevent a tilting of a connecting element constructed as a hollow cube, the cube is provided on one side face with a tongue, which can engage in a groove in the vertical frame limbs. A hollow cube can then be fitted from the side onto a connecting bolt and is then pivoted about the axis of symmetry of the connecting bolt into the end position, the tongue engaging in the groove.
According to the invention, it is not only possible to connect two, but also three, four, five, six or more wall elements to one another at one point by using rigid connecting elements. To this end, it is necessary to use connecting elements which comprise a corresponding number of operating surfaces for connecting the respective wall elements. For example, four wall elements can be connected using one connecting cube which is open on one side and in which all four lateral surfaces are designed for connection with the frame connections. Connecting elements of this type are particularly advantageous, since it is hereby possible to extend already constructed wall structures in a simple manner by the suspension of further wall elements.
As a result of the horizontal spacing of the individual wall elements it is not only possible to connect a plurality of wall elements to one another at one point. With a corresponding desi
Lingenfelder Wolfgang
Meyer Hans-Jürgen
Friedman Carl D.
Horton Yvonne M.
McGlew and Tuttle , P.C.
Mero Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
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