Partition panel and a method of assembling it

A partition panel for dividing a room in an office comprises a pair of decoration panels each having a plurality of engagement holes, a rectangular frame between the pair of decoration panels, and an engagement member having a plurality of hooks. The hooks engage in the engagement holes of the decoration panel. The engagement member is fixed to the frame.Another partition panel comprises a rectangular frame having a vertical rod, a plurality of panels on the rectangular frame, and an engagement member having a plurality of hooks and screw holes. The engagement member is fixed to the vertical rod of the frame with screws.The partition panel can be assembled easily.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a partition panel for partitioning the interior of an office and a method of assembling the partition panel.

Conventionally, in a fixed partition panel, a frame is assembled and a decoration panel is mounted to each side of the decoration panel.

JP2004-174068A discloses a moving partition device in which a partition panel suspends from a runner moving along a rail on a ceiling. But in the partition panel, it is very difficult to mount a decoration panel to a frame that suspends from the runner and to mount a closing member for closing a gap with the ceiling or floor, and Al alloy peripheral member to the periphery of the partition panel. It is necessary to assemble the panel in a factory preliminarily.

It is important to keep unity in design between a moving partition panel and a fixed partition panel and to assemble the moving partition panel by oneself. Conventional moving partition panels are too complicated for assembling and do not satisfy the requirements.

If a partition panel comprises a decoration panel and a glass panel, it will be more difficult to assemble it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the disadvantages, it is an object of the invention to provide a partition panel that is simple in structure and can be easily assembled.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method of assembling the partition panel by oneself.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A partition panel1in the first embodiment according to the present invention suspends with a pair of suspending bolts5,5from runners4,4moving along a rail3fixed to the lower surface of a ceiling2.

The runner4may be any types, and comprises a pair of horizontal rollers7,8pivotally connected and spaced vertically with a spacer6at the upper end of the suspending bolt5in the embodiment.

InFIG. 2, the upper roller7is supported on a roller support3aprojecting inward from the inner surface of the rail3that is open at the lower end, and the lower roller8is supported on a roller support3bprojecting inward from the inner surface of the rail3. The upper roller7and lower roller8move on the roller supports3a,3brespectively while they rotate in a reverse direction from each other.

InFIG. 4showing how to assemble the partition panel1that is horizontally disposed, the partition panel1comprises a rectangular frame13that comprises right and left vertical rods9,10coupled to each other with lateral rods11,12; a pair of decoration panels14,14having the same dimension and the same structure as each other at each side of the frame13; and an engagement member16disposed along the inner sides of the vertical rods9,10and having at each side edge a plurality of hooks15that engages with the partition panels14,14.

The vertical rods9,10are made of extruded Al alloy.

InFIG. 3, a projection17is formed at an outer side surface of the vertical rod9, and a groove18is formed at an outer side surface of the vertical rod10which fits in the projection17. The top of the projection17and the bottom of the groove18have a recess19.

A closure20made of elastic material such as rubber is detachably mounted to an opening of each of the recesses19. A pair of sealing members21,21made of elastic material such as rubber is provided in the inner side surfaces of the groove18.

A plurality of elongate holes22and a plurality of screw-passing holes23are spaced longitudinally or vertically in use in the outer sides of the right and left vertical rods9,10.

The upper and lower lateral rods11,12comprise rectangular metal pipes or channels and have at each side through holes24,24through which suspension bolts5,5or another member pass.

There are closing members for closing a gap between the upper end of the partition panel1and the ceiling2and a gap between the lower end thereof and a floor (not shown), means for moving the closing members; and means for connecting the lower ends of the suspension bolts5,5to each other, which are not connected with the present invention and illustration and detailed description thereof are omitted.

InFIG. 4, at the upper end of the upper lateral rod11and the lower end of the lower lateral rod12, there are outward projections11a,11a,12a,12awhich contact the upper end face and lower end face of each of the decoration panel14.

InFIGS. 3 and 4, in the decoration panel14, the peripheral edge of a flat part25aof a metal decoration plate25is folded inward like U to form a folded edge25b. A plaster board26is fixed on the back surface of the flat part25ainside the folded edge25b.

In the back surface of the right-and-left folded edge25bof the decoration panel14, there is a plurality of engagement holes27or engagement holes that engage with a plurality of hooks15on the side of the engagement member16.

The right and left engagement members16,16comprise a U-shaped channel bar28and a metal base29having a plurality of hooks15directing in the same direction. The channel bar28is fixed to the base29by spot welding. The engagement member16has screw holes30corresponding to the elongate holes22of the vertical rods9,10of the frame13and screw holes31corresponding to the screw-passing holes23in the longitudinal direction.

InFIGS. 4-6, how to assemble the partition plate1will be described.

InFIG. 4, the single decoration panel14is horizontally positioned with the bottom up on the floor or a support (not shown). Then, the projections11aand12acontact the end faces of the decoration panel14to hold the decoration panel14which is horizontally disposed. A pair of engagement members16,16is disposed along the inner sides of the vertical rods9,10such that a plurality of hooks15engages in the engagement holes27of the decoration panel14, and the hooks15on the other edge project upward from the horizontal frame13. Another decoration panel14with the bottom down is horizontally disposed. Each of the engagement holes of the decoration panel14engages with each of the hooks of the engagement member16. The decoration panel14is held between the projections11aand12aof the frame13.

Before the decoration panel14is disposed over the frame13, the suspension bolts5,5, means for connecting lower ends and closing members and means for moving them are equipped, if necessary.

While the frame13and the engagement members16,16are sandwiched between the upper and lower decoration panels14and14, the ends of a pair of bolts32,32for moving the engagement member16engage in any one of the screw holes30,30of the engagement members16,16through any one of right and left elongate holes22,22.

Before the upper decoration panel14is disposed over the frame13, the end of the bolt32passing through the elongate hole22may engage with the screw hole30of the engagement member16.

As shown by an arrow inFIG. 5, the right and left bolts32,32are grasped and moved along the elongate holes22,22in a direction of the end of the hook15or for left side inFIG. 4to allow the right-and-left engagement members16,16to move with respect to the frame13and the upper and lower decoration panels14,14in a direction as shown by an arrow inFIG. 6to enable each of the hooks15to engage with the edge of each of the engagement holes27.

When each of the hooks15completely engages with the edge of each of the engagement holes27, the screw holes31and screw-passing holes23are defined in a position such that all the screw holes31of each of the engagement members16coincide with the screw-passing holes23of the frame13. When they coincide with each other, the screw33is tightened in the screw hole31through the screw-passing hole23, so that the engagement member15is fastened to the frame13.

The projections11a,12aof the frame13are fastened to the upper and lower end faces of the decoration panel14with screws34. The screws34may be tightened when the frame13is disposed on the frame13and when another decoration panel14is disposed on the frame13.

With the screws33,34, the engagement members16,16and decoration panels14,14are firmly fastened to the frame13to produce the partition panel1.

After completion of the partition panel1, the bolts32are taken off and can be utilized again for assembling a next partition panel.

After completion of the partition panel1, the runners4,4at the end of the suspension bolts5,5are provided in the rail3to enable the partition panel1suspending from the rail3to move.

As clarified above, the partition panel and a method of assembling it according to the present invention allow a single person to assemble the partition panel1easily and readily. The reduced number of parts in the partition panel simplify its structure.

On any one of the upper and lower ends of the frame13, the outward projection12aprevents the decoration panel14from moving in a direction in which the periphery around the engagement hole27that engages with the hook15goes off the hook15. Thus, the decoration panel14is mounted to the frame15securely.

The present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiment. Variations may be made without departing from the scope of claims.

For example, in the embodiment, there are a plurality of elongate holes and screw-passing holes in each of the vertical rods9,10and a plurality of screw holes in each of the engagement member16. But at least one may be formed.

In the foregoing embodiment, when the partition panel1suspends from the suspension bolts5,5, each of the hooks15of the engagement member16directs downward. Hooks may direct upward, and the upper edge of the engagement hole27of the decoration panel14engages on the hooks. Thus, each of the decoration panels14engages on the frame15only with the hooks, and the projections11a,12amay be omitted in the frame15.

Engagement holes are formed at each side of the engagement member16. After the hooks that project from the rear surface of the decoration panel engage in the engagement holes, the engagement member may move in a direction where the hook deeply engages with the edge of the engagement hole.

In the embodiment, the present invention applies to a moving partition panel. But the present invention may apply to a fixed partition panel.

FIG. 7shows the second embodiment of a partition panel according to the present invention. A partition panel101in the embodiment has a height close to a ceiling height in a room. The upper half of the partition panel101comprises a see-through panel102that comprises transparent or translucent plate glass or acryl plate with or without decoration, or a net or lattice. The lower half comprises a pair of steel decoration panels103. The upper end of the partition panel101suspends from a pair of runners106,106moving along a rail105fixed to the lower surface of a ceiling104, and the lower end moves close to the floor surface FL of a floor108. Through the upper see-through panel102of the partition panel101, visibility is assured in the room divided by the partition panel102.

The runner106may be any types and comprises a pair of horizontal rollers110,111spaced vertically with a spacer109at the upper end of a suspending bolt107.

The upper roller110is rotatably supported on a roller support5aprojecting inward from the inner surface at one side of the rail5that is open at the lower end, and the lower roller111is rotatably supported on a roller support105bprojecting inward from the inner surface at the other side of the rail105. The rollers110,111rotate reversely from each other and move along the rail105at the same time.

At the upper and lower ends of the partition panel101, between the upper end of the partition panel101and the lower surface of the rail105and between the lower end of the partition panel101and the floor surface FL, there are gap-closing members112,112that move up and down.

Means for moving the gap-closing members112,112does not directly relate to the present invention, and illustration and description therefor are omitted.

The upper gap-closing member112, means for moving it, and the suspending bolt107from which the partition panel101suspends are covered with a shield113that is open at the upper end. The shield113prevents the inside of the partition panel101from being seen from the outside.

The see-through panel102comprises a panel base102asuch as plate glass; an upper sash114covering the upper edge of the panel base102a;a pair of vertical sashes115,115covering the right and left side edges of the panel base102a;and a lower sash116covering the lower edge of the panel base102a.

The outer circumference of the panel base102ais enclosed by the right and left sashes115,115and the upper and lower sashes114,116.

The lower sash116acts as a connector with the upper edge of the decoration panel103, as a spacer for defining a distance between the see-through panels102,102, and as a shelter for preventing the inside of the lower partition panel101from being seen through the see-through panel102,102from the lower end thereof.

InFIG. 10, the lower sash116made of extruded Al alloy comprises a sash116ain which the lower end of the panel base102afits with sealing material117, and a hollow rectangular spacer116bkeeping a distance between the see-through panels102and102.

The decoration panel103comprises a bent portion103bformed by bending the outer periphery of the thin steel panel base103aat right angles, an upward engagement portion103cand a heat insulator118such as plaster board on the rear surface of the panel base103a. The engagement portion103cis put in an engagement groove116cbetween the lower part of the sash116aand the spacer116b, and the rear surface of the heat insulator118contacts a contact portion116dat the lower part of the spacer116bto allow the surface of the decoration panel103to contact the front surface of the lower sash116of the see-through panel102, thereby preventing motion of the decoration panel103and see-through panel102in the forward and backward direction.

FIG. 12shows the disassembled partition panel101in which the see-through panel102and decoration panel103are fixed with the engagement members122on each side of the rectangular frame121comprising a pair of vertical rods119,119coupled with the lateral rods120,120.

The vertical rod119is made of extruded Al alloy and has a plurality of screw-passing holes123and elongate holes124longitudinally.

The upper end of the upper lateral rod120and the lower end of the lower lateral rod120are open upward and downward respectively and include the gap-closing member112that moves up and down. The outward flanges120a,120aare formed so that the upper end of the see-through panel102and the lower end of the decoration panel103may be mounted.

The front and rear portions of the shield113are bonded on the inner surface of the upper lateral rod120. Alternatively, an outward projection (not shown) at the upper end of the front and rear portions of the shield113contact the lower surfaces of the flanges120a,120aand may be fastened to the flanges120a,120awith screws B.

The engagement member122is disposed on the inner surface of the vertical rod119, and comprises a vertical member125having a plurality of L-shaped hooks125aon the side and a reinforcement126welded to the vertical member125. A plurality of fixing screw holes127and moving screw holes128pass through the vertical member125and the reinforcement126respectively.

They are corresponding to the screw-passing hole123and elongate hole124. A bolt129for movement is put through the elongate hole124, and the end thereof is engaged in the screw hole128of the engagement member122. Thus, the engagement member122is moved up and down with the bolt129. When it is visually confirmed that the screw-passing hole123of the vertical rod119coincides with the screw hole127of the engagement member122, the screw B is passed through the screw-passing hole123to engage in the screw hole127, so that the engagement member122is fixed.

Corresponding to the hook125aof the engagement member122, a plurality of elongate engagement holes130is formed at each side of the rear surfaces of the vertical sashes115of the see-through panel102and of the rear surface of the decoration panel103. While the hook125aengages with the upper edge of the engagement hole130, each side of the see-through panel102and decoration panel103is positioned and fixed.

In the rear surface of the right-and left vertical sashes115of the front and rear see-through panels102, shielding projections115a,115aare provided respectively such that the projections of the facing front and rear see-through panels contact each other or are close to each other. The engagement member122and screws therefor are covered with the projections115a,115a, so that the they are not seen from the outside through the see-through panels102,102to provide good appearance.

To assemble the partition panel101, inFIGS. 12 and 13, the engagement member122is provisionally fastened with the bolts129to the sides of the frame121. While the front and rear surfaces of the frame121are held between the front and rear see-through panels102and decoration panels103, they are placed horizontally on the floor surface or suitable support (not shown).

The see-through panel102and the decoration panel103are held between the flanges120a,120aof the upper and lower lateral rods120,120, and the hook125aof each of the engagement members122engages with the engagement hole130of the corresponding see-through panel102and decoration panel103. The frame121and engagement member122are put over the see-through panel102and decoration panel103, and another see-through panel102and decoration panel103are put as well.

Then, the moving bolt129is moved in a direction of an arrow inFIGS. 12 and 13or in a direction of the hook125ato allow the hook125ato engage with the edge of the engagement hole130. The screw hole127of the engagement member122coincides with the screw-passing hole123. The fixing screw B is passed through the screw-passing hole123to engage with the screw hole123, so that the see-through panel102and the decoration panel103are positioned and fixed to the frame121.

Then, the upper end of the see-through panel102and the lower end of the decoration panel103are screwed into the flanges120a,120aof the upper and lower lateral rods120,120with the fixing screws B.

In the embodiment, the see-through panel102and the decoration panel103are mounted to the frame121with a plurality of engagement members122, but may be fixed by a single engagement member.

As an alternate order for assembling, the upper end of the see-through panel102and lower end of the decoration panel103are screwed to the upper and lower flanges20a. Then, each side of the see-through panel102and decoration panel103may be fixed to the frame121with the engagement member122.

FIG. 9shows a horizontal cross-section of the assembled partition panel1. The cross section of the right-hand vertical rod119inFIG. 9is concave and includes a pair of sealing members131.

The left-hand vertical rod119which is convex fits with the right-hand vertical rod119. When the adjacent partition panels101,101are connected, the convex fits with the concave to allow the partition panels101,101to be placed without gaps.

In the middle of the outer surface of the right and left vertical rods119,119, a closing member132such as rubber is detachably mounted to cover the head of the fixing screw B.

FIGS.14A,14B,14C show a variation of a partition panel101.

FIG. 14Ashows that a height of an upper see-through panel102is about two-thirds of the total height, and the remaining is a decoration panel.FIG. 14Bshows that the height of a partition panel101is equally divided into three, and a see-through panel is disposed in the middle and the decoration panels103are upper and lower than the middle panel.FIG. 14Cshows that the total height of a partition panel101is divided into three and all is see-through panels102.

The shape and structure can be selected depending on the purpose and use.

A plurality of panels is mounted vertically only on one side. On the other side, a single panel may be mounted or need not to be mounted.

The foregoing merely relate to embodiments of the invention. Various changes and modifications may be made by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of claims wherein: