Frame member for space dividers, screens, similar panel structures

A panel structure, as used for space dividers and other purposes, has an identical frame member at each side. Each frame member comprises an extrusion of the same cross-sectional shape, having on one side surface at least one formation comprising a projection and a recess disposed symmetrically about a median plane which extends longitudinally of the extrusion. The frame members extend vertically at each end of a central portion of the panel with their respective side surfaces facing outwardly. Two adjacent panels are held together by bringing the endmost frame members of the respective panels into contact so that the formations on the respective members interfit. Locking members are then snapped into slots in the respective frame members.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to frame members, such as are used in space dividers 
and screens for sub-dividing office and other space, and in other panel 
structures. In particular, the invention is concerned with frame menders 
which are intended to be used vertically at the sides of a panel 
structure, and which are designed to permit two or more such panel 
structures to be connected together by inter-engaging formations on the 
frame members. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
It has been proposed to use at the vertical sides of a divider or screen an 
extruded, elongate member, which has a particular formation on its 
sideways facing surface. The formation on one side of one divider engages 
with the formation on the adjacent side of a further divider. Once the 
formations are engaged to each other, a locking member may be applied to 
retain the members and thus the screens together. 
Conventionally, two different forms of frame member are required, one being 
used at one side of the screen and the other being used at the other side. 
The use of two different forms of frame member (that is, frame members 
having different transverse cross-sectional shapes) requires two different 
dies to make the frame members. Also, in assembling a screen, care must be 
taken that the correct frame member is used at each side of the screen. 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides a frame member having a particular 
cross-sectional shape which can be used for both sides of a screen or 
other panel structure. 
The frame member of the invention is of elongate form and has a side 
surface adapted to co-operate with a like side surface of a second similar 
frame member. The side surface has at least one formation which extends 
longitudinally of the member and is of uniform cross-sectional shape 
throughout its length and which comprises a projection and a complementary 
recess. The projection and recess are disposed on respectively opposite 
sides of and symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal median plane of 
the member which extends normal to said surface. The frame member further 
includes means for receiving a locking member for maintaining a frame 
member in side-by-side relationship with a said second similar frame 
member with the said side surfaces of the respective members in abutment. 
The formations of the side surfaces of the respective frame members then 
inter-engage for preventing lateral movement between the members. 
Preferably, two U-shaped locking members are employed and fit into 
laterally directed slots at ends of the side surfaces of the respective 
frame members. 
In conventional arrangements for connecting the two adjacent frame members 
of a pair of screens, the two frame members are locked together by a 
locking member which slides longitudinally over formations on the frame 
members. It is a preferred feature of the present invention that the 
locking member is applied by sideways movement; that is, movement normal 
to the longitudinal axis of the frame member. 
Additional formations can be provided on the frame member for the 
attachment of, or the attachment to, other members.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 1 illustrates, in transverse cross-section, a frame member 10, which 
in this example is a hollow metal extrusion. The frame member is elongate, 
of a length useable as a frame member for a divider or screen, or other 
panel structure. 
Frame member 10 has a side surface 12 adapted to co-operate with a like 
side surface of a second, similar frame member (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Side 
surface 12 has two formations, each comprising a projection and a recess 
respectively. In the example illustrated, projection 17 and recess 18 
comprise one such formation and are disposed on respectively opposite 
sides of and symmetrically with resect to a longitudinal median plane A--A 
of member 10. Projection 16 and recess 19 comprise a second such formation 
and are similarly disposed with respect to one another. 
At each end of the surface 12 there is a laterally extending web 20, which 
forms part of surface 12 and is spaced from a wall portion 22 of the 
extrusion. 
Frame member 10 has a side surface 30 opposite surface 12, which is 
provided with a partially enclosed groove or slot 32, having a narrow neck 
34, disposed in plane A--A. On end surfaces 36 and 38 of the extrusion are 
formed webs 40 and 42, respectively, connected by central ribs 44, to the 
end surfaces, and forming respective narrow grooves or slots 46 between 
the webs and the end surfaces 36 and 38. 
If desired, various strengthening webs can be formed within the frame 
member, for example, as shown at 48. 
In FIGS. 2 and 3, one length of frame member 10, as in FIG. 1, is 
positioned to the left. On the right is positioned a further length of the 
same frame member, which has been turned about its longitudinal axis, so 
that the side surfaces 12 of the respective frame members confront one 
another. It will be seen that the formations on the two frame members 
comprising projections 16, 17 and recesses 18, 19 are then positioned to 
co-operate and connect the frame members together. This is seen in FIG. 3. 
Also seen in FIG. 3 is a clip-in locking member 60. Locking member 60 is 
applied by positioning it opposite the two slots 24 at the ends of the 
respective side surfaces 12 of the two extrusions, and then pushing the 
locking member in (which distorts it somewhat). The form of the locking 
member is seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. It is an elongate channel-shaped member, 
having legs 62 extending from a back 64. Relaxed (that is not applied) the 
legs slant inwardly slightly. On pressing the legs into the slots 24, the 
legs bend outward to grip the extrusions. If desired a ribbed surface can 
be formed on one or both surfaces of the slots 24 to aid in retaining the 
locking members. A capping member 65 is shown in dotted outline at one end 
in FIG. 3. Capping or sealing members can be provided at each end. If 
desired one or both surfaces of the slots 46 can be ribbed, as shogun at 
66. 
It will be seen that a neat, symmetrical assembly is provided. The frame 
members can be attached to dividers, and other members, by means of a rib 
on the divider sliding into the partially enclosed grooves or slot 32. 
However, other ways of attaching the frame member can be used. 
FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate a frame member 68 with only one formation 70 
comprising a projection 74 and a recess 76 disposed on respectively 
opposite sides of and symmetrical about a median longitudinal plane B--B. 
Where applicable, the same reference numerals as those used in FIGS. 1, 2 
and 3 have been used to denote like parts. Formation 70 is part of a side 
surface 72 at each end of which is a laterally extending web 20 and slots 
24. A partially enclosed groove or slot 32 is formed in the opposite side 
surface 78. End surfaces 36 and 38 have webs 40 and 42 forming slots 46. 
FIG. 6 illustrates a single frame member, 68, in cross-section. FIG. 7 
illustrates a first frame member 68 on the left and a second frame member 
of the same cross-sectional shape on the right. In FIG. 8 the two frame 
members are shown in engagement, with the projection 74 on one member in 
the recess 76 in the other. The two members are locked together by locking 
members 60. 
As described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the frame members 68 are 
attached to dividers, screens or other panel member at the side surfaces 
78 as by a projection extending into the slot 32. Other forms of 
attachment can be used. Capping strips can be applied, by means of slots 
46. Ribbing can be provided at 66. 
Normally the formations comprising projections 16, 17 and recesses 18, 19 
or 74 and 76 extend for the whole length of a frame member but, if 
desired, the formations may be intermittent. When the members are 
extruded, it is usually more convenient to make the formations continuous. 
The formations are shaped so that only sideways movement is necessary to 
join the two frame members together, without any longitudinal movement. 
Similarly the locking member is applied by sideways movement directly into 
the grooves 24, without any longitudinal movement. 
Once locked together by the locking members, a very strong, stable 
connection is obtained. 
FIG. 9 illustrates a panel structure 90, in the example a divider screen. 
The panel structure comprises a central panel member 92 having a frame 
member 10 on each side. The frame members are attached to the panel member 
by a rib 94 extending down each side of the panel and situated in the 
grooves 32. To position the frame members relative to the panel a bottom 
member 96 can be provided at each side. Similar members, or a single long 
member, can be provided at the top and bottom to complete a frame for the 
panel. Feet 98 provides for standing the panel on a floor. A further panel 
structure 90(a) is illustrated positioned adjacent to the first panel 
structure, ready for connection to the panel structure 90. This is 
effected by moving one panel structure laterally towards the other, 
engaging the respective formations and pressing locking member (not shown) 
into the slots 24. 
FIGS. 10 to 18 show further embodiments of the invention in which the panel 
structure incorporates a rigid frame made from vertical frame members of 
the form shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, together with horizontal frame members at 
least at the top and bottom of the panel structure. In FIGS. 10 to 18, the 
vertical frame members that are similar to frame member 10 are denoted 112 
and the horizontal frame members are denoted 114. 
As best seen in FIG. 12, the horizontal frame members 114 have a 
cross-sectional shape that is very similar to the vertical frame members 
112 except for the absence of formations on the outer face of the member. 
Members 114 are also hollow metal extrusions and have essentially the same 
outwardly spaced lateral webs as the webs 40 and 42 shown in FIG. 1 and 
the same inwardly directed groove or slot at the inner face of the 
extrusion as that shown at 32 in FIG. 1. In FIG. 12, the webs are denoted 
respectively 116 and 118 and define slots 120. The inwardly directed 
groove similar to groove 32 is denoted 124. In FIG. 11, primed reference 
numerals have been used to denote parts of the vertical frame member 112 
which correspond to the parts shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Thus, member 112 has 
respective webs 40' and 42' defining slots 46' and an inwardly directed 
groove 32'. 
It will be appreciated from consideration of FIGS. 10 to 12 that, in the 
assembled frame, the grooves 32' (FIG. 11) and 124 (FIG. 12) co-operate to 
define a continuous inwardly facing slot around the inner perimeter of the 
frame of the panel structure. Similarly, the external webs 40', 42' (FIG. 
11) and 116, 118 (FIG. 12) co-operate to define what is essentially a 
"sub-frame" spaced outwardly from the major sidewalls of the respective 
extrusions, and defining with those sidewalls an encircling slot 
comprising the slots 46' (FIG. 11) and 120 (FIG. 12). These features 
permit a completed panel to be assembled to provide a variety of different 
surface finishes such, for example, as an upholstered panel finish such as 
that indicated by reference numeral 126 in FIG. 10. 
As will be described in more detail in connection with FIGS. 11 and 12, the 
external upholstered finish is provided by a fabric panel that is 
stretched over the sub-frame provided by the webs 40', 42', 116 and 118. 
The marginal edge portions of the panel are then tucked into the slots 46' 
and 120 and retained by a resilient O-ring that is frictionally fitted 
into the encircling slot. In FIGS. 11 and 12, a fabric panel of this type 
is indicated by reference numeral 128 and is shown retained by an 
essentially continuous rubber O-ring 130. Inwardly of the fabric panel 128 
is an insulating fibreglass panel 132 supported by a relatively rigid 
central panel 134, for example of wood or reconstituted wood product. This 
panel is simply received within the inwardly facing grooves 32' and 124 of 
the respective extrusions. In assembling the panel, three of the 
extrusions are first fitted together, panel 134 is inserted into the 
grooves in those three extrusions and the fourth extrusion is then added 
to complete the frame. 
FIGS. 13 and 14 show a somewhat more complex form of panel structure in 
accordance with the invention. In the FIG. 13 embodiment, the panel 
structure has two upholstered sections denoted respectively 126a and 126b, 
each of which is formed in similar fashion to the upholstered section 126 
of FIG. 10, by using additional horizontal extrusions at the bottom of the 
upper section 126a and at the top of the lower section 126b respectively. 
Those additional extrusions are shown at 136 and 138 respectively in FIG. 
14. The space between those extrusions forms a raceway for receiving 
cables such power, telephone and computer communication cables. Openings 
in the vertical frame members 112 provide access to the raceway. Again, 
the two extrusions 136 and 138 have cross-sectional shapes that replicate 
the outwardly spaced webs or flanges 40 and 42 of the extrusions shown in 
FIG. 1, and an inwardly facing groove similar to groove 32 of FIG. 1. This 
allows the upholstered panel sections to be formed as described previously 
in connection with FIGS. 10 to 12. 
FIG. 16 is useful in showing an exploded view corresponding to FIG. 14, 
from which the precise cross-sectional shapes of the various extrusions 
can be seen. Extrusion 138 is somewhat deeper than the other extrusions in 
order to accommodate cabling, electrical boxes, etc. but has essentially 
the same external features. A typical electrical box is shown in FIG. 14 
at 140. In FIG. 16, fabric panels for forming the top upholstered section 
126a are shown at 142 together with associated O-rings 144. Insulating 
fibreglass panels are shown at 146 and a rigid central panel is indicated 
at 148. 
Similar components are also shown for the bottom upholstered panel section 
126b but have not been individually designated. 
FIG. 16 also shows that the upper intermediate extrusion 136 is also 
provided with channels 150 at the bottom into which are hooked respective 
plastic extrusions 152 forming hinged covers for the raceway. One of those 
extrusions is visible in elevation in FIG. 13. Further extrusions 154 
(FIG. 16) snap onto the top edge of the lower intermediate extrusion 138 
to provide mating surfaces onto which the covers 152 can be snapped at 
their lower ends. 
FIG. 15 illustrates the method of interconnecting the horizontal and 
vertical extrusions to form the rigid frame of the panel structure. 
Essentially, "plugs" or "fingers" that are shaped to fit closely into the 
horizontal frame members are bolted to the vertical frame members at the 
appropriate locations. In FIG. 15, four of those plugs are provided and 
are individually denoted by reference numeral 156. Bolts for securing the 
plugs to the vertical frame member 112 are indicated at 158. The 
cross-sectional shape of the plugs has not been illustrated in detail; 
suffice it to say, that the shape is complementary to the internal 
cross-sectional shapes of the extrusions shown in FIG. 16. The lower 
intermediate extrusion 138 is provided with inwardly directed flange 
portions 160 so that the lower part of the extrusion has the same internal 
cross-sectional shape as the other three extrusions; accordingly, the plug 
for extrusion 138 can be identical with the other plugs. 
The plugs are designed so that a spring clip 162 can be snap-fitted over 
the outer end of each plug. The spring clip has projecting outer edges 164 
that "bite" into the relevant internal surface portions of the respective 
extrusions to inhibit withdrawal of the plug once it has been fully 
inserted. Typically, the extrusions are made of aluminum and are provided 
with internal ribbing such as that indicated at 166 in FIG. 16, to provide 
surfaces for engagement by the edges of the clip 162. 
FIG. 15 also shows top and bottom corner caps 168 and 170 respectively that 
are fitted into the ends of the vertical extrusion 112 to provide a 
"clean" finish. Again, the configuration of the caps has not been shown in 
detail; the caps are shaped to be essentially complementary to and plug 
into the interior cross-sectional shape of the extrusion 112, and have a 
plain flat outer surface. The bottom cap 170 is threaded to receive an 
adjustable leveller 172. 
FIG. 15 (as well as FIG. 13) shows the presence of longitudinally extending 
slots 174 in the main sidewalls of the extrusion 112 (for example 
generally in the area denoted by reference numeral 174 in FIG. 1) for 
receiving shelf supports or other fixtures that are to be hung from the 
panel structure. 
Finally, FIG. 16 shows a plastic "kick plate" extrusion 176 that is fitted 
over the lower horizontal frame member 114 in the assembled panel 
structure. 
In the embodiments previously described, the panel structure is essentially 
opaque. The configuration, size and number of the upholstered panel 
sections such as sections 126a and 126b can be changed as required to 
provide an almost infinite variety of designs. Different fabrics or other 
coverings can be used. It is also possible to incorporate a window in the 
panel structure either in place of an upholstered section or occupying the 
whole of the area of the panel structure within the external frame. 
Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, this may be accomplished by omitting the 
fabric panels as pane]. 128 and the fibreglass panels 132 and by replacing 
the inner rigid panel 134 with a glass or transparent plastic panel. 
FIG. 17 shows a seal arrangement for accommodating the marginal edges of a 
transparent panel within the inwardly facing grooves such as the groove 
32' (FIG. 11) or 124 (FIG. 12). In FIG. 17, reference numeral 178 denotes 
part of any one of the extrusions described previously that includes such 
an inwardly facing groove. Fitted into the groove through its mouth 180 is 
a seal structure comprising a relatively soft and flexible seal extrusion 
182 having a U-shaped portion 184 designed to fit within the mouth 180 of 
the groove, and an upstanding lip 186 that will project outwardly of the 
inner face of the extrusion in question. A second but relatively much 
harder, generally planar extrusion 188 is designed to be fitted into the 
extrusion 182 between the limbs of the U-shaped portion 184. Extrusion 188 
provides a lip portion 190 that is spaced from and generally parallel to 
the lip portion 186 of extrusion 182, forming therewith a generally 
channel-shaped recess 192 for receiving a marginal edge portion of a 
transparent panel such as that indicated 194. The two extrusions would of 
course extend continuously around the window opening, providing an 
effective edge seal for the whole of the perimeter of the panel. 
Finally, FIG. 18 shows, in transverse cross-section, a post 196 that may be 
used to join together two or more panels that are not required to be 
co-planar with one another. In this embodiment, post 196 is triangular in 
cross-section and has three identical faces, each of which is shaped to 
replicate the contour of the outer face of the vertical frame member such 
as the face 12 that appears at the right-hand side of FIG. 1. Any panel 
structure can then be simply engaged with the complementary formations on 
the relevant face of post 196 and the panel structure attached to the post 
by means of locking members such as those shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The 
chain-dotted outlines in FIG. 18 show the positions that would be occupied 
by three panel structures coupled to the three faces of the triangular 
post. It will be course be understood that the post could also be square 
or have more than four similar faces for attachment of panel structures 
thereto. Conversely, only two faces of a triangular post could be used as 
panel attachment faces and the angular relationship between those two 
faces varied to provide for different relative angular relationships 
between the two faces. 
It will of course be appreciated that the preceding description relates to 
particular preferred embodiments of the invention and that many 
modifications are possible within the broad scope of the invention. Some 
of those modifications have been specifically indicated and others will be 
apparent to a person skilled in the art.