Supporting structure for the realization of partition walls

Abstract: A panelling supporting structure to realize partition walls composed by: A primary supporting structure (1) comprising simultaneously operable panelling hooking means (4-4′-S-S′-3-6); A secondary intersecating supporting structure crossing the first one, comprising crossing elements (2) connected ones with the other, vicing said primary supporting structure (1); Panel coating means (B) comprising corresponding hooking receiver means (8-7) for being hooked by said primary supporting structure (1). Push terminals of the primary supporting structure for tight profiles by means of spacing interposition means(11-12).

Description: The present invention has for object a structure for panels for the realization of partition walls. The invention finds particular even if not exclusive application in the realization of partition walls as a support skeleton for coating panels. In prior art supporting structures for panels for the realization of partition walls are well known. In a first solution a primary and secondary supporting structure are made in wood; the first being composed of mullions and the second comprising the respective mullion crossing connecting elements. To allow the placement of said supporting structure it is necessary to install on the floor and in the ceiling an "U" shaped profile in which by screw means said mullions are fixed in abutment. The mullion crossing connection elements are secured in head abutment directly onto said mullions. The installation of the coating panels on the supporting structure is carried out by hanging by a series of hangers able to be inserted in analogous hooking seats on the supporting structure. Such application presents notable disadvantages. In the first place, the inability to retain the panel, this being due mainly to the inadequacy of the hooking means, and an absolute lack of solidity. In fact it concerns partition walls that do not allow the obtainment of a structure with a uniform solidity and as a consequence involves a very bad anchorage. Furthermore there is a deficiency concerning the security of the structure, for the fact that the panels can unhook extremely easily, thus having the possibility to damage persons and things. Furthermore there is the absence of a standard structure that allows re-utilization and maximum versatility either of the frames or the possibility to equip conveniently the wall. Not lastly, such a solution does not allow for an easy distribution of water and electrical connections as the space for internal installations is limited. A second solution for solving the mentioned problems has given a poor result. This solutions provides a supporting structure comprising mullions with pushing terminals in the profile for anchorage on the floor and under the ceiling. The hanging of the coating panels in said mullions is obtained by longitudinal guide means inside which is slideable a small plate, adjustable in height, comprising a pair of male hangers protruding with respect to the mullion. Also this solution presents more or less the same disadvantages as the previous one. A third solution comprises panels in which a rotatable perpendicular hanger is inserted by means of actuation of a screw transversely connected to it. Naturally the application of such a wall involves an adapted mullion which presupposes the utilization of cross connecting elements from side to side of the profile on which said hooking means operates. This solution presents additional drawbacks if compared to the previous ones. In fact in this case we can expect high production costs and the insertion point of the panels can break easily due to the excessive force to which it is subjected. DE-U-8518628 discloses a panel wall having a support structure with hooking means to hook respective panels onto it. In this solution the hooking means operates like a vice, moving one against the other. NL-A-8900664 (filed 17/03/1989 and published 16/10/90) discloses in a similar way a panel wall having a support structure with hooking means to hook respective panels onto it, without disclosing the mechanism which moves the respective hooks. This solution has the same drawbacks above described, and in particular does not have the teaching of a very simple and effective mechanism to hook firmly said panels. Scope of the present invention is to obviate the mentioned drawbacks. This and other scopes are reached with the present innovation according to the characteristics of the annexed claims, solving the exposed problems by means of a panel wall composed of: A primary supporting structure comprising simultaneously operable panel hooking means inside vertical mullions; A secondary supporting structure crossing the first one, comprising horizontal crossing profiles to fix said primary supporting mullion structure; Panel means, comprising hook receiver means for being hooked by said primary supporting mullion structure, to cover both primary and secondary supporting structures, characterised in that said hooking means consists of a longitudinal bar inside each mullion, said bar being vertically movable by a lever means, and along which are hinged a series of "L" shaped hangers at one end of their arm and which have a second hinging point to the said mullion placed in the corner of said "L" shape, the other arm of said hangers having a hook to hook said panel means, in order that, with said longitudinal bar moved up and said hangers rotated in order to have their hooks protruding from each mullion and said crossing profiles, said panel means can be appended onto said hooks, when said bar is moved vertically downwards, by said lever means, said hooks rotate up and close to each mullion clamping firmly said panel means. In such a way we obviate the mentioned drawbacks, allowing firstly the realization of a simple and solid structure obtaining a whole with perfect anchorage. Furthermore, thanks to the particular hooking system, installation is much simplified thus avoiding successive adjustments and increasing its functionality. Panel unhinging is avoided, being conveniently associated openings and windows (e.g. the structures for door and window frames). Finally the particular conformation allows an optimal distribution of the plant (wiring and piping network) inside it, particularly in terms of capacity, as the increased space makes possible the insertion even of a piping network for the discharge of liquids. These and other advantages will appear from the successive description with the help of the accompanying drawings which particulars of execution are not to be considered limitative. Figure 1 is a front partial view of the skeleton comprising the primary supporting structure, secondary structure and floor and ceiling fixing profiles. Figure 2 is a section view of a mullion of the primary supporting structure during the hooking phase of the panels. Figure 3 is a section view of the mullion with the respective hooked panels. Figure 4 is a plant view of the head connection of the crossing profiles of the secondary supporting structure. Figure 5 is a schematic view of the hooking small plate to allow hooking of the panels. The Figures disclose that a supporting structure (A) for partition walls is composed of a primary supporting mullion structure (1) on which the respective panels (B) are hinged (hooked), and a stiffening secondary supporting structure composed of an ensemble of crossing profiles connected between themselves (2). More in particular, the mullions are endowed with hooking means essentially composed of a vertical-longitudinal bar (3) vertically movable by means of actuation of a screw means (4 ) placed at one end of the mullion. The screw (4) is engaged in an overturned "L" lever (4') having an extremity (s') hinged into the mullion and being hinged at its corner(s) on said bar (3). Along said bar are hinged a series of hangers (6) analogously hinged (s') onto the mullion. The conformation of the hangers (6) is of a crooked "L" shape, in protrusion if compared to the border of the mullion. Operating the screw (4), being in abutment against said lever means (4'), the bar (3) is moved vertically, this determines the hoisting or vice-versa of the bar (3), making the hangers (6) rotate in their fixed hinging point (s'), allowing panel hooking seats (8-7), previously made on the internal side of the panel (B), to be hinged by the hangers (6). In this case each mullion has a pair of bars (3) and relative hooking means (6) moved by a unique screw means (4), in order to be able to act in the same plane to hook the respective panels (B). In correspondence to each seat (8) is applied a receiving seat plate hinging means (7) composed of a small plate in which a fissure or slot (c) is longitudinally obtained to allow the insertion of the hanger. Over this fissure (c) a hole (c') is made, able to contain the hooking end (9) of the hanger (6). For installation it is sufficient to rest the respective panels (B) on the supporting structure (A) until the hangers (6) become inserted through the small plates (7) in the seats (8). Once the panel is positioned, to hold the panel steady it is sufficient to operate the screw means (4) which will determine the lifting of the pair of bars (3), allowing the recall in rotation of the hangers (6), the end hook tip of which (9) will penetrate the hole (c') of the small plates (7). Each crossing connecting bar (2) is disposed between mullion and mullion engaging itself with the successive crossing connecting bar (2) determining head to head a structural continuity by means of a clamping tie rod (13) keyed onto the respective ends and passing through the mullion. In this way besides determining the continuity of the crossing profiles (2) even the mullion is simultaneously clamped, contributing to the uniform stiffening of the structure. Finally each mullion in correspondence with its ends, disposes of adjustable terminals (12) for anchorage to the floor and under the ceiling. In particular they consist of screws engaged on the mullion of which at least one has a yielding pushing means (11). The base end is engaged in an "U" support spacer (12) of less size than the fixing profile (14) for the scope to allow an easy utilization of the available space for the passage of water piping and electrical wire connections.

Claims: A panel wall composed of: a primary supporting mullion structure comprising simultaneously operable panel hooking means inside each vertical mullion (1); a secondary supporting structure crossing the first one, comprising horizontal crossing profiles (2) to fix said primary supporting mullion structure; panel means (B) comprising hook receiver means (8-7) for being hooked by said primary supporting mullion structure, to cover both said primary and secondary supporting structures characterised in that said hooking means consists of a longitudinal bar (3) inside each mullion, said bar being vertically movable by a lever means (4-4'), and along which are hinged a series of "L" shaped hangers (6) at one end of their arm (S) and which have a second hinging point (S') to the said mullion (1) placed in the corner of said "L" shape, the other arm of said hangers (6) having a hook (9) to hook said panel means (B), in order that, with said longitudinal bar (3) moved up and said hangers (6) rotated in order to have their hooks (9) protruding from each mullion (1) and said crossing profiles (2), said panel means (B) can be appended on said hooks (9), when said longitudinal bar is moved vertically downwards, by said lever means (4-4'), said hooks (9) rotate up and close to each mullion (1), clamping firmly said panel means (B). A panel wall, according to claim 1., characterized in that lever means (4-4') comprises: an "L" shaped lever (4') hinged at its first arm end onto said mullion (1), and at its corner onto said longitudinal bar (3), and a screw means (4) placed in proximity to the base of said mullion (1) and which rotates said lever means (4,4') acting on the respective second arm end of said "L" shaped lever (4'). A panel wall, according to claim 1., characterized in that said horizontal crossing profiles (2) clamp at their opposed extremities said mullions (1) by a tie rod (13) keyed onto the respective ends of said crossing profiles (2) and passing through said mullion (1). A panel wall, according to claim 1., characterized in that each mullion (1) has "U" shaped yielding pushing terminals (11-12) to lock each mullion firmly between floor and ceiling. A panel wall according to claim 1., characterized in that on the internal side of said panel means (B) recesses (8) are obtained to receive respective hooks (9) of said hangers (6). A panel wall according to claim 5., characterized in that on each recess (8) a small plate is applied (7) to be hooked by said hook (9), said plate (7) having a longitudinal fissure (c) to allow the insertion of the respective mullion hanger (6) with its hook (9) and wherein, over said fissure (c) a hole (c') is placed able to internally receive the end tip of said hook (9).

Inventors: SAVORGNAN VALERIO, SAVORGNAN, VALERIO
Applicants: IND MOBILI MIO DINO SRL, INDUSTRIA MOBILI MIO DINO SRL
Application year: 1990
Main classification: E04B2
IPC codes: E04B2