PANEL LOCKING SYSTEM

Abstract: Securement and cooperation between panels (2) of an office panelling system (1) is improved by mechanically connecting panels (2) in a manner to maintain a particular orientation and to allow transfer of loads therebetween. The mechanical fasteners (20) are advantageously combined with compressible strips (10) between panels (2) which not only deform during fastening of the fasteners (10), but engage the panel (2) and distribute the clamping force to a larger area thereby adding structural rigidity.

Description: The present invention relates to office panelling systems and, in particular, relates to securing adjacent panels of a system to increase the structural integrity thereof. Office panels for subdividing floor space have proven quite popular and one such system is shown in our United States Patent 4,535,577 which issued August 20, 1985. This system uses office panels which have an interior frame, normally of metal, to which decorative panels are releasably secured. These releasable panels allow access to the interior of the frame for such things as electrical wiring and telecommunication conduits and also allows replacement of the panel should it become damaged or obsolete. This system is in contrast to other panelling systems where a solid core is provided and raceways, if present, are provided at the bottom of the panel. One problem with panelling systems, in general, is effective joining of adjacent panels to render stability to the system. In some cases, fasteners or brackets engage the top and bottom edges of the panel to lock one panel to an adjacent panel. Other panelling systems have taken a different approach and utilize a beam and post arrangement where the post and beam are generally mechanically fixed and panels are added between the posts. This system, although it provides excellent rigidity and stability, suffers in that it is more difficult to assemble and more difficult to change if required by the user. Other systems use a plastic hinge-type connection, however it has been difficult to add sufficient rigidity to the system with this type of connector. The advantage of the plastic hinge is full flexibility with respect to the angle at which the panels are connected, however, in practice, it has been necessary to add structural members to tie the panels in a given orientation. There remains a need to provide a simple, strong securement system between panels which accommodates end to end alignment as well as different angles between panels, while stronly tying one panel to the next. The system need not be designed to satisfy all angles between panels, as accepted angles such as 90°, 120° and 135° may be sufficient. Ease of assembly is particularly important. The assembled panels should also have some ability to maintain a strong compressive force with changing conditions such that the biased mechanical connection is maintained. Furthermore, the securement should serve to vertically align panels to improve the look of the system. It is known from DE-B-23,33,347 to provide a panelling system in which adjacent panels are respectively provided with slots and twistable fasteners which engage in the slots. Its system is inherently inflexible. It is not possible to join two panels together at their slotted ends nor at their ends having fasteners. Only a slotted end and a fastener equipped end can be joined together. The object of the present invention is to overcome the problems present in the prior art. According to the present invention, there is provided an office panelling system having a plurality of interconnectible subdividing panels, with each subdividing panel having a frame to which exterior decorative members are secured in which at least one fastening means is used for securing two adjacent panels characterised in that each frame has vertically extending channels appropriately slotted to provide aligned slots in adjacent subdividing panels and said fastening means extends through at least some of said aligned slots in adjacent subdividing panels and engages the interior of the frames of the panels and exerts a clamping force to positively lock said subdividing panels in a predetermined configuration, said fastening means including one fastener which is movable to a first orientation for passing through aligned slots of adjacent subdividing panels and is movable to a second orientation to engage the channel of one of the subdividing panels with said one fastener and effect clamping of said adjacent subdividing panels by means of a predetermined movement of a lever and cam arrangement which form a further part of said fastening means which engages the channel of the other subdividing panel. Preferably resilient abutment members are positioned between abutting edges of the panels to partially space the panels and provide some resiliency to ensure the mechanical connection remains snug. Preferably said fastener comprises a first portion having a head and a shank, said head extending either side of said shank to form at least a 'T' shaped configuration; said lever and cam arrangement comprises a pivoted lever and a camming member which are included on said shank at an end opposite said head; said pivoted lever and camming member, in a first orientation, defining a certain distance between said head and said lever and camming member and being movable to a second position defining a reduced distance relative to said first orientation; and said lever and camming member are shaped to pass through a point of minimum spacing between and first and second orientation to create a bias maintaining said lever and camming member in said second position when effecting a clamping action. In cases where the panels are at an angled orientation, inserts may be used where each panel is separately secured to the insert, and the insert forms part of the mechanical connection locking the panels in a predetermined orientation. The securement system of the present invention provides positive locking of one panel to the next panel whereby the mechanical fastening means acts as a load transfer member, thus adding substantial rigidity to the system. This mechanical fastening is partially accomplished interior to the panel and preferably in the mid portion thereof and is concealed by the panel. Such a system adds structural stability to the overall panelling system when assembled, as forces are transferred between adjacent panels. Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of two panels in abutting relationship; Figure 2 is a partial perspective view showing the end frames of two panels about to be interconnected by clamping member; Figure 3 is an end view showing the position of the clamping member for inserting the head of the clamping member through aligned slots in panels; Figure 4 is an end view showing the clamping member rotated in preparation for effecting clamping; Figure 5 is a side view showing the clamping member moved to a second position to effect clamping of the two panels; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a four-way connector used to join panels; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a three-way connector for joining panels; Figure 8 shows an angled connector interconnecting two panels; and Figure 9 is a modified clamp. The office panels or partitions, generally shown as 1 in Figure 1, have removable decorative exterior panels 2 which are carried by a panel frame, a portion of which is shown in the latter Figures. Panels of this type are shown in our United States Patent No. 4,535,577. In order to add stability to the office panelling system, panels placed in end to end abutment are secured by means of the clamping member generally shown as 20 in Figure 2. The clamping member is designed to pass through the frames 4 and the end caps 6 to engage the interior surface of the frame and effect a clamping action between frames. Each of the end caps include strip receiving slots generally shown as 8 which can receive abutting strips 10. The strip 10 is slidably received in a slot of one panel and engages the slot of an opposed panel. In Figure 2, one of the frames has been provided with the abutment strips 10, but it is apparent that each frame could have an abutting strip 10 and it is immaterial which end cap carries the abutting strips, as long as the abutting strips are between opposed end caps and engaging an opposed strip receiving slot 8. These abutting strips are somewhat compressible and will add a degree of resiliency when the panels are connected. The strips also serve to provide opposed vertical engagement, oppose any movement caused by twisting forces between panels, and accurately vertically align panels. In the case of factory installed strips, strips are provided at one edge of each end of the panel and diagonally opposed for convenience of use. The clamping member 20 has a head 22 secured at one end of the shank 26 such that the head and shank define a generally 'T' shape. The head includes panel engaging shoulders 24 spaced either side of the shank 26. At the opposite end of the shank an actuator 28 is pivoted to shank extension 30 at pivot points 32. The actuator includes camming surfaces 34 which engage the inner surface of one of the panel frames when the actuator is moved from a first position generally shown in Figure 2 to a clamping position or second position generally shown in Figure 5. The first position allows the clamping member to be appropriately received in the panel in preparation for clamping. Operation of the clamping member can be appreciated from a review of Figures 2 through 5, where clamping member 20 is first inserted through aligned slots in the end frames of abutting panels in the manner shown by arrow 44, and passes through the first panel and through the end frame of the second panel such that the head is disposed to the interior of the frame of the second panel as shown in Figure 5. Once the head 22 has been located within the interior of the frame of the other panel, the clamping member 20 is rotated as indicated at 46 from the position generally shown in Figure 3 to the locking orientation of Figure 4. The camming surfaces 34 of the actuator 28 are now disposed adjacent the edges of the end caps 6 where the structure has greater strength due to the underlying frame 4. The actuator is then rotated in the direction 48 past a point of maximum compression generally indicated as 49 to the second orientation which strongly biases the two panels, due to the compressive force exerted thereon. The abutment strips 10 contact the opposite slot of the adjacent end cap and align the panels. The strips compress somewhat and provide controlled compression which serves to maintain pressure on the actuator 28. The actuator is thus biased to the second position of Figure 5, as any movement of the actuator from this position requires a further compression of the strips as the actuator must move through the point of maximum compression provided at point 49 on the camming surface 34. The cam surface of the actuator is shaped to define, relative to the pivot point 34, a short distance to allow insertion and positioning of the actuator in the panels. This short distance allows sufficient play to insert clamping member. The actuator, when moved to the second orientation, decreases the separation of the head 22 from the contact point of the camming surface to thereby produce a strong clamping force. As generally shown in Figure 2, access to the interior of the panels to expose the interior frames is required when the actuator 30 is physically located within one of the panels. The head 22 can be inserted through a slot 36 in a panel, making access to both panels unnecessary. Various connectors are shown in Figures 6 through 8 and are used for securing panels in a non-linear fashion. Figure 6 shows a four-way connector having a horizontal load carrying member 52 and downwardly extending connecting flanges generally shown as 54. Connecting flanges 54 carry, on the exterior face thereof, compressible cork surface 55 which add resiliency much in the way as strips 10. The downwardly extending flanges cooperate with the aligned slots in the panels to allow a modified clamping member, generally shown as 20a, pass through a panel and through a slot in one of the downwardly extending flanges 54 of the connecting member to connect the panel to the connector. The modified clamping member 20a is the same as clamping member 20, however the shank has been reduced in length to accommodate the reduced distance between the flange 54 and the end cap of a panel. Each of the downwardly extending planar flanges 54 has an elongate slot 36 similar to the panels to allow insertion of the head of the connecting member 20a to pass through the connecting member. The flanges 54 are sized to abut along one surface thereof the planar surface of the end cap adjacent the slot to ensure a strong mechanical connector where stress is reduced to distribution of the forces to a larger area.Figure 7 shows a three-way connector, whereas Figure 8 shows an angled connector, in this case, to accommodate an angle of about 135° between panels. Access to the panels is not necessary when connectors are used, however it may be more convenient to have at least one actuator within a panel for ease of assembly. The planar, generally horizontal, load carrying portions 52 of the connectors provide the stiffness and therefore allow positive securement of one panel to the other at a predetermined angular relationship. Connectors would normally be provided adjacent the top and bottom of the panel. The present invention uses a clamping member which acts much in the way of key which passes through appropriate slots in adjacent panels and is rotated to an engaging position where the shoulders 24 of the head 22 engage the rear or interior surface of the frame 4 of a panel. Once so rotated, the actuator 28 may be moved to a second position to produce a clamping action. The actuator is designed to provide a mechanical advantage in moving from the first position, which defines a somewhat loose connection between panels, to a firm clamping or second position where compression of the abutting strips or cork surfaces continues to exert tension on the clamping member. The various slots provided in the end cap can be used for receiving decorative strips used to finish the end of the panel, or for receiving structural components to stack one component on top the other. Details of these features can be found from our prior patent, US-A-4 535 577. The cooperation between the clamping memeber 20 and the abutment strips 10, partially received in opposed slots of an adjacent panel, initially align the panels and subsequently distribute the clamping force to along the opposed vertical faces of the panels. This cooperation reduces the number of clamping members required and, in most cases, two clamping members, one located adjacent the top and the other located adjacent the bottom of the panels, is sufficient to secure two aligned panels in abutting relationship. Depending upon the vertical extent of the panels, three clamps are used, with the third clamp being generally centrally located. The connectors of Figure 8 can be modified such that the downwardly extending flanges or the planar connecting portion 52 engages the end cap along opposed vertical portions, rendering rotation of the connector impossible. Such a connector would partially act in the manner of the strips described above. A further modified clamp 20b is shown in Figure 9 wherein the shank 26b is a threaded rod and the nut 23 incorporated in the head 22b threadably receives the shank 26b. Head 22b can be adjusted on the shank 26b to vary the spacing of the head from the lever and cam actuator. Other arrangements for adjusting the spacing are possible and such adjustability may allow a single clamp to be used for joining panels either in end to end relation or joining a panel to a connector. Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: An office panelling system having a plurality of interconnectible subdividing panels (1), with each subdividing panel having a frame (4) to which exterior decorative members (2) are secured in which at least one fastening means (20) is used for securing two adjacent panels (1) characterised in that each frame (4) has vertically extending channels (4, 6) appropriately slotted to provide aligned slots (36) in adjacent subdividing panels and said fastening means (20) extends through at least some of said aligned slots (36) in adjacent subdividing panels (1) and engages the interior of the frames (4) of the panels (1) and exerts a clamping force to positively lock said subdividing panels (1) in a predetermined configuration, said fastening means (20) including one fastener (20, 26) which is movable to a first orientation for passing through aligned slots (36) of adjacent subdividing panels (1) and is movable to a second orientation to engage the channel (4, 6) of one of the subdividing panels (1) with said one fastener (20, 26) and effect clamping of said adjacent subdividing panels (1) by means of a predetermined movement of a lever and cam arrangement (28) which forms further part of said fastening means (20) which engages the channel (4, 6) of the other subdividing panel (1). An office panelling system as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that said subdividing panels (1) include on the vertical ends of the subdividing panels (1) resilient abutment members (10) for partially spacing adjacent subdividing panels and which compress during securement of adjacent subdividing panels. An office panelling system as claimed in Claim 2, characterised in that said resilient members (10) are selectively received in slots (8) at the ends of said panels (1) and engage opposed slots (8) of an opposed panel (1). An office panelling system as claimed in Claim 3, characterised in that said resilient members (10) include in cross section a head received in an edge of a panel (1), a forward abutment edge and two shoulders, said shoulders being spaced to opposite sides of said abutment edge. An office panelling system as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that said fastening means (20) between at least some adjacent subdividing panels includes an insert (52) which spaces and predetermines a particular angular orientation of secured adjacent subdividing panels (1). An office panelling system as claimed in Claim 5, characterised in that said inserts (52) include similar slots (36) which are aligned with slots (36) in said subdividing panels (1) and through which fastening means (20) extend. An office panelling system as claimed in Claim 6, characterised in that said fasteners (20, 26) of said fastening means (20) extend through a slot (36) in one of said subdividing panels (1) and extend through a slot (36) in one of said inserts (52) and clamp said subdividing panels (1) and insert (52) in a fixed orientation, said insert (52) acting as an intermediary joining said subdividing panels (1) in said fixed orientation. An office panelling system as claimed in Claim 5, Claim 6 or Claim 7, characterised in that said insert (52) includes a planar load carrying portion (52) having downwardly extending flanges (54) which each engage a subdividing panel (1), each downwardly extending flange (54) having a fastener means (20) associated therewith, said fastener means (20) exerting a clamping force by means of said lever and cam arrangement (28). An office panelling system as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that said fasteners (20, 26) comprise a head and shank portion (22, 26) and said lever and cam arrangement (28) including a pivoted locking member (28) at an end of said shank opposite said head, said locking member (28) acting as a pivoted lever (28) having camming surfaces (34) associated therewith for causing a compressive force to be exerted on said frame (4, 6) and said insert (52) when said locking member (28) is moved in a predetermined manner. An office panelling system as claimed in Claim 9, characterised in that said cams (34) of said fasteners (20) are shaped to move through a point of maximum compression to a lock position whereafter said locking member (28) is biased to said lock position. An office panelling system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that said fastener (20) comprises a first portion (22,26,30) having a head (22) and a shank (26), said head (22) extending either side of said shank (26) to form at least a 'T' shaped configuration; in that said lever and cam arrangement comprises a pivoted lever (28) and a camming member (34) which are included on said shank (26) at an end opposite said head (22); said pivoted lever and camming member, in a first orientation, defining a certain distance between said head (22) and said lever (28) and camming member (34) and being movable to a second position defining a reduced distance relative to said first orientation; and in that said lever (28) and camming member (34) are shaped to pass through a point of minimum spacing between said first and second orientation to create a bias maintaining said lever (28) and camming member (34) in said second position when effecting a clamping action. An office panelling system as claimed in Claim 11, characterised in that said head (22) is generally planar and said clamp (28) is rotated to orientate said head (22) in preparation for clamping. An office panelling system as claimed in Claim 11 or Claim 12, characterised in that said shank (26) and head (22) act as a key which is inserted through slots (36) in panels (1) and rotated, once so inserted, to a clamping orientation with said head (22) engaging an interior surface of the frame (4, 6) of an office panel (1). An office panelling system as claimed in Claim 13, characterised in that said camming member (34) includes two camming surfaces (34) spaced either side of said shank (26) and generally opposite panel engaging surfaces (24) of said 'T' shaped head (22).

Inventors: BROWN, MORTIMER, HELLWIG, JOHN
Applicants: TEKNION FURNITURE SYSTEMS
Application year: 1988
Main classification: E04B2
IPC codes: E04B2