Patent Publication Number: US-9840840-B2

Title: Partition system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 14/579,770, filed Dec. 22, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/394,423, filed Mar. 6, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,010,034, issued Apr. 21, 2015, which was a 371 National Stage application of PCT Application Serial No. PCT/DE2010/001059, filed Sep. 9, 2010, which claims priority to German Serial No. 102009040699.9 filed Sep. 9, 2009 and German Serial No. 102010035173.3 filed Aug. 23, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This application relates to a partition system, which includes a plurality of wall elements merging one into another, and to a partition system, which includes at least one wall element. 
     BACKGROUND 
     NL 1 033 119 discloses a room divider which consists of pillars which are each composed of two components. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The embodiments in this application provide a simple partition system which can be adapted individually in terms of its profile to the requirements and has an additional value beyond just providing a partition. 
     The partition system includes a plurality of wall elements merging one into another, wherein at least one wall element is designed as a stepped element, and wherein at least one wall element is designed as a corner element, wherein the stepped element has two contact surfaces oriented parallel to each other, wherein the stepped element has two visible surfaces oriented parallel to each other, wherein the first visible surface runs continuously from a lower edge to an upper edge of the stepped element, wherein the second visible surface is designed as an offset visible surface which has at least two visible subsurfaces which merge one into the other via at least one step which forms a supporting surface, wherein the corner element has two contact surfaces which are oriented at an angle of 20° to 160° to each other, wherein the corner element has two visible surfaces, wherein the first visible surface runs continuously from a lower edge to an upper edge of the corner element, wherein the second visible surface has at least one step which forms a supporting surface, and at least one visible subsurface, wherein the contact surfaces of adjacent wall elements are congruent, and wherein adjacent wall elements face each other by means of the contact surfaces thereof and are connected to each in particular other by at least one connecting means. A partition system of this type is suitable for delimiting individual work places in a large-capacity office continuously and without interruption on a plurality of sides and at the same time for providing supporting surfaces and depositing surfaces which are usable every day. In particular, work places can be delimited in an L-shaped manner and U-shaped manner, seen in top view, by the partition system. A large-capacity office can be subdivided individually and without a large outlay on construction, wherein the planning is facilitated by the simple geometry of the individual wall elements. 
     The partition system may be supplemented by at least one wall element which is designed as a junction element, wherein the junction element has three perpendicular contact surfaces. By means of a T component of this type or connecting point of this type, junctions permitting in particular the connection of the partitions of adjacent work islands can be realized in the partition profile. 
     The partition system may be supplemented by at least one wall element which is designed as an intersection element, wherein the intersection element has four perpendicular contact surfaces which are aligned in particular in pairs parallel to one another. With an intersection component of this type, partition guides which are even more individual can be realized, and it is possible in particular to avoid the partitions running parallel to one another, and therefore the space taken up by the partition system is reduced to a minimum. 
     To further optimize the space taken up and to further individualize the partition system, provision is made for the latter to be supplemented by at least one wall element which is designed as a change-over element, wherein the change-over element has two perpendicular contact surfaces, wherein the change-over element has two visible surfaces which each comprise at least one step with a supporting surface, and wherein the two contact surfaces are oriented in a mirror-rotated manner or mirror-symmetrical manner to each other with respect to a vertical mirror axis. It is possible, with the interconnection of a change-over element of this type, to change over from a stepped element in a first orientation to a stepped element in a second orientation, wherein the stepped element in the second orientation is rotated through 180° about a vertical axis in relation to the stepped element in the first orientation. 
     The partition system may include at least one wall element, wherein the wall element has at least two contact surfaces, wherein the wall element has at least two visible surfaces, wherein at least one of the visible surfaces is designed as an offset visible surface which has four visible subsurfaces which merge one into another via three steps. A partition system of this type is suitable for delimiting individual work places in a large-capacity office continuously and without interruption on a plurality of sides and at the same time of providing, by means of the steps, surfaces which are usable every day. In particular, work places can be delimited in an L-shaped manner and U-shaped manner, as seen in top view, by the partition system. A large-capacity office can be subdivided individually and without a large outlay on construction, wherein the planning is facilitated by the simple geometry of the individual wall elements. 
     Provision is made for at least one of the visible surfaces to have a continuous profile from a lower edge to an upper edge of the wall element, and, furthermore, provision is made for the steps in particular to each form a supporting surface, and, finally, provision is made in particular for the partition system to be equipped in particular with at least one connecting means, wherein adjacent wall elements are connected to each other in particular by at least one connecting means. Continuous and step-free visible surfaces are suitable in particular for the space-saving delimitation of work islands from aisles. The formation of each step with a supporting surface gives rise to a multiplicity of useful surfaces which, by means of the terrace-shaped graduation thereof, are usable for a very wide variety of requirements. By adjacent wall elements being connected, the arrangement of the wall elements can be stabilized with the minimal outlay. 
     Furthermore, the lower three steps may be formed at a bench height of approximately 45 cm to 55 cm, at a work surface height of approximately 65 cm to 72 cm and at a “kitchen” counter height of approximately 84 cm to 90 cm and to form a fourth step, at which the uppermost visible subsurface merges into a top surface, at a counter height of approximately 104 cm to 110 cm. Provision is made here to dimension the wall element in the first, lowermost section in particular with a width of approximately 34 cm to 38 cm, in the second section with a width of approximately 23 cm to 28 cm, in the third section with a width of approximately 13 cm to 19 cm, and in the fourth, uppermost section with a width of approximately 3 cm to 8 cm, wherein the individual widths are each measured horizontally in one of the contact planes or contact surfaces of the wall element. Such a dimensioning results in a stable and at the same time space-saving wall element, since the basic surface thereof is fully available to the user via the individual steps, and the structure thereof provides improved options for use in relation to a flat surface. 
     The partition system additionally includes at least one furniture element which is designed in particular as a seat and/or in particular as a table and/or in particular as a work table and/or in particular as a counter, wherein the furniture element is supported in particular on at least one wall element, and wherein the furniture element is connected to the wall element in particular in a form-fitting manner. By means of a combination of wall elements and furniture elements matched to the wall elements, many of the items of furniture required in an office room can be integrated into the partition system. Construction space can be saved owing to the fact that, for example in the case of a table top, a wall element is used at least on one side as a table support. Furthermore, the partition system is additionally stabilized by the direct connection of office furniture, and the furniture elements of the partition system can be produced cost-effectively, since parts of the furniture elements are formed by the wall elements which are already present. 
     A top surface is provided on the wall element, said top surface connecting the contact surfaces of the wall element and being aligned in particular parallel to a bottom surface of the wall element, wherein, in a stepped element, in particular the first visible surface of the stepped element and the upper visible subsurface of the stepped element are connected by the top surface, and wherein, in a corner element, provision is made in particular to connect the first visible surface of the corner element and the upper visible subsurface of the corner element by means of the top surfaces. By means of the top surface, the stepped element or the corner element has a storage option, for example for files, which is accessible from both sides of the partition. 
     The geometrical shape of each wall element may be defined by a core composed of a solid material. By means of such a formation of the individual wall elements to be in one piece in the core, the wall elements do not have to be assembled from individual components in a laborious and time-consuming manner. Furthermore, such a construction of a wall element permits a retrospective, individual configuration of the wall element by the application of a coating. A finished wall element of this type then consists of a core defining the geometrical shape and of a shell by means of which the wall element can be matched in the composition of the surface thereof and/or the appearance thereof to the individual requirements. 
     Plastic and in particular foam and in particular rigid foam may be used as the solid material of which the core is composed, wherein the solid material is formed in particular from expandable polystyrene (EPS) which has in particular a volume weight of approximately 20 kg/m 3  to 70 kg/m 3  and in particular approximately 40 kg/m 3 , or wherein the solid material is formed in particular from expanded polypropylene (EPP) which has in particular a volume weight of approximately 20 kg/m 3  to 70 kg/m 3  and in particular approximately 40 kg/m 3 . By this means, in comparison to wall elements produced, for example, from wooden panels, the individual wall elements have a low weight which simplifies in particular transportation in the building. Furthermore, by means of the use of materials of this type, the wall elements have heat-insulating and sound-absorbing properties and therefore permit effective protection of the delimited work place from drafts and sound. In the case of expanded materials, the wall elements can simply be adapted to various requirements, such as, for example, stability and loadbearing capacity, by changing the volume weight. 
     Furthermore, at least one of the steps, which are arranged between the visible subsurfaces, of one of the wall elements may be provided with a groove which is open vertically upward with respect to the supporting surface of the step and is additionally in particular open laterally with respect to at least one of the contact surfaces. This makes it possible for documents or electronic devices, for example mobile telephones, to be securely deposited on the work place such that they are secured against dropping off. If adjacent wall elements have laterally open grooves, it is possible for the wall elements also to be correspondingly used in a transition region from wall element to wall element. Furthermore, the grooves are suitable for the stable insertion of flat screens and/or raised parts of the partition and/or mirrors and/or for the clipping on of illuminating means or holders. 
     The wall element may be equipped with a first cable duct which is formed by an offset in the bottom surface of the wall element, wherein the offset is also open with respect to the contact surfaces of the wall element. Furthermore, the wall element may be equipped in particular with at least one second cable duct which is formed by a bore, wherein the second cable duct extends from the top surface of the wall element or one of the supporting surfaces of the wall element or one of the grooves of the wall element into the first cable duct or to the bottom surface. By means of the first cable duct, a wall element formed in such a manner permits simple laying of supply lines wherever wall elements are used. By means of the second cable duct, it is possible, for example, for current to be supplied in a targeted manner to individual work places. 
     The partition system may be supplemented by a floor rail system on which the wall elements are guided, wherein the floor rail system comprises a plurality of guide elements fastened on the floor, wherein the guide element has in particular at least one web which is perpendicular in the room and which bears in particular against the wall element or which penetrates in particular into the wall element. By this means, and in particular by adhesively bonding and/or screwing the guide elements to the floor of a room which is to be furnished, the positioning of the wall elements can be precisely predetermined and kept permanently. The individual wall elements can then simply be inserted into the fitted floor rail system without further installation steps. 
     The connecting means may be designed as a clamp, wherein the clamp comprises two pins running parallel to each other, wherein the wall element has, in particular in the bottom surface and/or in particular in the grooves, at least one bore which runs vertically in the wall element and into which one end of the clamp can be inserted, wherein the bores of adjacent wall elements and the clamp are coordinated with one another in such a manner that the clamp holds the adjacent wall elements together such that the contact surfaces thereof are in contact. It is thereby possible using simple means to connect adjacent wall elements by means of a plug-in system. 
     Furthermore, the clamp may be provided with a support and an adjustable foot, wherein the two pins are fastened to the support and point in a first direction, and wherein the adjustable foot is arranged centrally between the pins on the support and points in a second direction, wherein the second direction is opposed to the first direction. A clamp of this type can be used as a furniture foot which supports two adjacent wall elements in the region of the contact surfaces thereof bearing against each other in the floor. In particular, provision is made for the adjustable foot to be of height-adjustable design. It is thereby possible to compensate for unevennesses of the floor on which the wall elements are standing. 
     Finally, the step of each wall element or for the lowermost step of each wall element may be arranged at a height of at least 40 cm and in particular 60 cm and for an overall height of each wall element to be in particular at least 100 cm. By this means, the lowermost step can be used at a height of 40 cm to approximately 50 cm as a seat option. If the step is at a higher position, the step may be a support for a tabletop. 
     Further details of the invention are described in the drawing with reference to exemplary embodiments which are illustrated schematically. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawing here: 
         FIGS. 1 to 5  show wall elements of a first partition system; 
         FIG. 6  shows a partition which is composed of wall elements of the first partition system; 
         FIGS. 7 to 11  show wall elements of a second partition system; 
         FIG. 12 a    shows a first partition  5  with an L-shaped profile, which partition is composed of wall elements of the second partition system; 
         FIG. 12 b    shows a second partition with a snake-like profile, which partition is composed of wall elements of the second partition system; 
         FIG. 13  shows a schematic illustration of a wall element with cable ducts; 
         FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of a guide element; 
         FIG. 15  shows a schematic illustration of a wall element inserted into the guide element shown in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  shows a further guide element with a wall element placed thereon, wherein the wall element has a first cable duct; 
         FIG. 17  shows the guide element shown in  FIG. 16  and a wall element placed thereon, wherein the wall element does not have a first cable duct; 
         FIG. 18  shows a schematic view of two wall elements connected by connecting elements; 
         FIGS. 19, 20  show a perspective view and top view of an intersection element, and 
         FIGS. 21, 22  show a perspective view and top view of a further intersection element. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1 to 5  show wall elements  1  of a first partition system  2  in a schematic, perspective view, and  FIG. 6  shows a partition  3  composed of wall elements  1  of the first partition system  2 , in a schematic, perspective exploded view. 
     The wall element  1 , which is shown in  FIG. 1 , of the first partition system  2  is designed as a stepped element  100 . The stepped element  100  has two contact surfaces  101  and  102  oriented approximately parallel to each other. Furthermore, stepped element  100  has two visible surfaces  103  and  104  oriented approximately parallel to each other. In this case, the first visible surface  103  runs continuously from a lower edge  105  to an upper edge  106  of the stepped element  100 . The second visible surface  104  is designed as an offset visible surface  104  and consists of two visible subsurfaces  107  and  108 . The latter merge one into the other via a step  109  which forms a supporting surface  110 . The first visible surface  103  of the stepped element  100  and the upper visible subsurface  108  of the stepped element  100  are connected by a top surface  111 . The latter runs parallel to a bottom surface  112  of the stepped element  100 . The stepped element  100  has a length L 100 , an overall height GH 100 , a base height SH 100 , a base depth ST 100  and a head depth KT 100 . As an alternative embodiment,  FIG. 1  shows a groove  113  which is recessed into the supporting surface  110  of the step  109  and is open upward in the direction of a vertical V and forms a trough. According to a further variant embodiment (not illustrated), the groove extends over the entire length L 100  of the stepped element  100  and is also open toward the contact surfaces  101  and  102 . 
     The wall element  1 , which is shown in  FIG. 2 , of the first partition system  2  is designed as a corner element  200 . The corner element  200  has two contact surfaces  201  and  202  oriented perpendicularly in the room. Said contact surfaces are at an angle α of 90° to each other. The corner element  200  furthermore has two visible surfaces  203  and  204 . In this case, the first visible surface  203  is designed as an angled or bent visible surface which runs between the contact surfaces  201  and  202  from an L-shaped lower edge  205  to an L-shaped upper edge  206  of the corner element  200 . The second visible surface  204  is likewise designed as an angled or bent visible surface and comprises a step  207  which has a supporting surface  208 , and an upper visible subsurface  209 . The first visible surface  203  of the corner element  200  and the upper visible subsurface  209  of the corner element  200  are connected by a top surface  210 . The latter runs parallel to a bottom surface  211  of the corner element  200 . The corner element  200  has an overall height GH 200 , a base height SH 200 , a base depth ST 200  and a head depth KT 200 . In the case of the corner element  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the contact surfaces  201  and  202  merge one into the other at an edge  212  below the step  207 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a wall element  1  which is designed as a junction element  300 . The junction element  300  has three contact surfaces  301 ,  302  and  303  which are approximately perpendicular in the room, wherein steps  304 ,  305  with supporting surfaces  306 ,  307  are formed between adjacent contact surfaces  301  and  302 , and  302  and  303 , which are directly adjacent to each other. The two contact surfaces  301  and  303  of the three contact surfaces  301 ,  302  and  303  are designed as congruent surfaces. The third contact surface  302  permits the fitting of a stepped element  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , in two different positions, wherein the stepped element  100  is rotated in each case through 180° about the vertical axis HA 100  thereof to change from the one position into the other position. The junction element  300  has three visible surfaces  308 ,  309  and  310 , wherein the visible surfaces  309  and  310  are designed as visible subsurfaces  311  and  312  which each lie above the steps  304  and  305 . The visible surfaces  308 ,  309  and  310  are connected to one another via a top surface  313 . A bottom surface  314  is aligned parallel to the top surface  313 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a wall element  1  which is designed as an intersection element  400 . The intersection element  400  has four perpendicular contact surfaces  401 ,  402 ,  403  and  404 . Said contact surfaces  401 - 404  are aligned in pairs parallel to one another, that is to say, the contact surfaces  401  and  403  are parallel to each other, and the contact surfaces  402  and  404  are parallel to each other. Two directly adjacent contact surfaces  401  and  404 , and  402  and  403  together form a step  405  and  406 , respectively. The intersection element  400  has four visible surfaces  407 ,  408 ,  409  and  410 , wherein the visible surfaces  407  and  409  are designed as visible subsurfaces  410  and  411  which respectively lie above steps  412  and  413 . The visible surfaces  407 ,  408 ,  409  and  410  are connected to one another via a top surface  414 . A bottom surface  415  is aligned parallel to the top surface  414 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a wall element  1  which is designed as a change-over element  500 . The change-over element  500  has two perpendicular contact surfaces  501  and  502 . Furthermore, the change-over element  500  has two visible surfaces  503  and  504  which comprise a respective step  505  and  506  with a respective supporting surface  507  and  508 . The two contact surfaces  501  and  502  are aligned parallel to each other and are oriented in a mirror-rotated manner to each other with respect to a vertical mirror axis SA 500 . The change-over element  500  has two visible surfaces  509  and  510 . The visible surfaces  509  and  510  are connected to each other via a top surface  511 . A bottom surface  512  is aligned parallel to the top surface  511 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates, in a perspective exploded view, a partition system  2  which comprises three stepped elements  100  as wall element  1 , a corner element  200 , a junction element  300 , an intersection element  400  and a change-over element  500 . It is characteristic of the partition system  2  that all of the wall elements  1  join one another with congruent contact surfaces  101 ,  102 ,  201 ,  202 ,  301 ,  303 ,  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404 ,  501  and  502 . By this means, when the wall elements  1 , which are connected to one another in a rotationally secure and displacement secure manner in each case by means of two connecting means  4 ,  5 —only illustrated schematically and by way of example—are pushed together, a continuous partition  3  having branches  6 ,  7  and  8  is produced, wherein the partition  3  makes it possible to subdivide a room  9  into cells I, II and III. 
       FIGS. 7 to 11 and 19 to 22  show wall elements  1  of a second partition system  10  in a schematic, perspective view, and  FIGS. 12 a  and 12 b    show a first partition  11  and a second partition  12 , which are composed of wall elements  1  of the second partition system  10 , in a schematic, perspective view. 
     The wall element  1 , which is shown in  FIG. 7 , of the second partition system  10  is designed as a stepped element  150 . The stepped element  150  has two contact surfaces  151  and  152  oriented approximately parallel to each other. Furthermore, the stepped element  150  has two visible surfaces  153  and  154  oriented approximately parallel to each other. In this case, the first visible surface  153  runs continuously from a lower edge  155  to an upper edge  156  of the stepped element  150 . The second visible surface  154  is designed as an offset visible surface  154  and consists of four visible subsurfaces  157 ,  158 ,  159  and  160 . The latter merge one into another via steps  161 ,  162  and  163  which form supporting surfaces  164 ,  165  and  166 . The first visible surface  153  of the stepped element  160  and the upper visible subsurface  160  of the stepped element  150  are connected by a top surface  167 . The latter runs parallel to a bottom surface  168  of the stepped element  150 . The stepped element  150  has a length L 150 , an overall height GH 150 , a base height SH 150 , a base depth ST 150  and a head depth KT 150 . The supporting surfaces  164 ,  165  and  166  have respective grooves  169 ,  170  and  171  which are open upward in the direction of a vertical V and extend over the entire length L 150  of the stepped element  150  and are open toward the contact surfaces  151  and  152 . 
     The wall elements  1 , which are shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , of the second partition system  10  are designed as  20  corner element  250 , wherein the corner element  250  which is shown in  FIG. 8  is designed as an inner corner element  251  and the corner element  250  which is shown in  FIG. 9  is designed as an outer corner element  252 . 
     The inner corner element  251  and the outer corner element  252  have contact surfaces  253  and  254  oriented perpendicularly. Said contact surfaces are each at an angle α of 90° to each other. The inner corner element  251  and the outer corner element  252  furthermore have two visible surfaces  255  and  256 . The first visible surface  255  is designed here as a convex visible surface  255  which runs from an arcuate lower edge  257  to an arcuate upper edge  258  of the inner corner element  251  or the outer corner element  252 . In both corner element variants  250 , the second visible surface  256  comprises four visible subsurfaces  259 ,  260 ,  261  and  262  and three steps  263 ,  264  and  265  with supporting surfaces  266 ,  267  and  268 . The first visible surface  255  of the particular corner element  251  or  252  and the upper visible subsurface  262  of the particular corner element  251  or  252  are each connected by a top surface  269 . The latter runs parallel to a bottom surface  270  of the particular corner element  251  and  252 . The corner elements  251  and  252  each have an overall height GH 250 , a base height SH 250 , a base depth ST 250  and a head depth KT 250 . The supporting surfaces  263 ,  264  and  265  each have arcuate grooves  271 ,  272  and  273  which are open upward in the direction of a vertical V and are open toward the contact surfaces  253  and  254 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a wall element  1  which is designed as a change-over element  550 . The change-over element  550  has two perpendicular contact surfaces  551  and  552 . Furthermore, the change-over element  550  has two visible surfaces  553  and  554  which each comprise three steps  555 ,  556  and  557  or  558 ,  559  and  560  with supporting surfaces  561 ,  562  and  563  or  564 ,  565  and  566 . The visible surfaces  553  and  554  merge one into another via a top surface  567 , wherein the top surface  567  runs parallel to a bottom surface  568 . The two contact surfaces  551  and  552  are aligned parallel to each other and are oriented in a mirror-rotated manner to each other with respect to a vertical mirror axis SA 550 . The change-over element  550  is constructed in an overall mirror-symmetrical manner with respect to the mirror axis SA 550 . The change-over element  550  has a length L 550 , an overall height GH 550 , a base height SH 550 , a base depth ST 550  and a head depth KT 550 . 
     For what has been mentioned of the second partition system  10 , the base height, as measured at the height  35  of the first step, is more than twice as large as the head depth, as measured at the height of the third step, wherein the head depth is in particular at least ¼ of the base depth. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a variant embodiment of the change-over element shown in  FIG. 10 , wherein the illustration shows a change-over element  580  which arises through reflection of the change-over element  550  known from  FIG. 10  on a vertical  5  longitudinal center plane VL 580  running the mirror axis SA 550 . In this variant embodiment, a groove  569  which runs in the longitudinal direction y of the change-over element  580  and is open with respect to the contact surfaces  551  and  552  of the change-over element  580  and with respect to a floor  13  of a room  9  is made in a bottom surface  568 . The partition system may include guide elements which are designed as rails  14 , are matched in the dimensions thereof to the groove  569  and are connected, in particular screwed or adhesively bonded, to the floor  13  of the room  9  in order to keep the wall elements of the partition system in a predefined position. Provision is also in particular made here for the rails  14  to be designed as a cable duct and/or supply duct. Furthermore, provision is made for the rails  14  also to be designed as connecting means and for this purpose to have in particular pins  15  which can be inserted into bores in adjacent wall elements in order to fix said wall elements to one another or to stabilize said wall elements. 
     The supporting surfaces  561  to  566 , which are shown in  FIG. 10 , of the steps  555  to  560  each have a groove  570  to  575 . The grooves  570  to  575  are open upward and are each open with respect to the contact surface  551  or  552 . 
       FIGS. 19 to 22  denote a height of the first step on each of the element types illustrated by a, a height of the second step by b, a height of the third step by c, and a height of a fourth step, which is in each case formed by the top surface, by d. The height of the first step is defined here as the distance between the bottom surface and the supporting surface of the first step. The height of the second step is defined here as the distance between the bottom surface and the supporting surface of the second step. The height of the third step is defined here as the distance between the bottom surface and the supporting surface of the third step. The height of the fourth step is defined here as the distance between the bottom surface and the supporting surface of the fourth step. In all of the element types, the widths which the element types on one of the contact surfaces below the first step, between the first and the second step, between the second and the third step and above the third step have are correspondingly denoted by e, f, g and h. The wall elements, which are shown in  FIGS. 7 to 11 , of the second partition system are correspondingly dimensioned, wherein the following applies with regard to the dimensions indicated in said figures: SH 150 =SH 250 =SH 550 =a, GH 150 =GH 250 =GH 550 =d, ST 150 =ST 250 =ST 550 =e, and KT 150 =KT 250 =KT 550 =g. 
       FIG. 12 a    illustrates, in a perspective exploded view, a partition  3  which is constructed from the partition system  10  and, as wall elements  1 , comprises two stepped elements  150 , two corner elements  250  and two change-over elements  550 ,  580 . It is characteristic of the partition system  10  that all of the wall elements  1  join one another with congruent contact surfaces  151 ,  152 ,  253 ,  254 ,  551 ,  552 . By this means, when the wall elements  1 , which are connected to one another in a rotationally secure and displacement secure manner in each case by connecting means (not illustrated), are pushed together, a continuous partition  3  is produced. By means of the change-over elements  550 ,  580 , the steps  161 ,  162 ,  163 ,  263 ,  264 ,  265 ,  555  to  560  can be changed over from a partition side A to a partition side B. 
       FIG. 12 b    illustrates, in a perspective view, a further partition  3  which is constructed from the partition system  10 . It is shown here how a room  9  is subdivided into three cells I, II, III by a partition  3  running in a snake-like manner. The partition system also comprises furniture elements  600 ,  601  which are illustrated here by way of example and schematically in the form of a transparent seat element  602 , which is designed as a bench  603 , and in the form of a transparent table element  604 , which is designed as a desk  605 . 
     The seat element  602  comprises a seat panel  606 , a first side member  607  reaching to a floor  36  and a second side member  608  which enters the groove  169  of the first stepped element  150 ,  150   a . The seat element  602  rests by means of the seat panel  606  on the supporting surface  164  of the stepped element  150 ,  150   a . The seat panel  606  runs parallel to the floor at a height of approximately 45 cm to 55 cm. 
     The table element  604  comprises a table top  609 , a first side member  610  reaching onto the floor  36  and a second side member  611  entering the groove  170  of the second stepped element  150 ,  150   b . The table element  604  rests by means of the table top  609  on the supporting surface  165  of the stepped element  150 ,  150   b . The table top  609  runs parallel to the floor  36  at a height of approximately 65 cm to 72 cm. 
     For the first partition system  2 , GH 100 =GH 200  and SH 100 =SH 200  and ST 100 =ST 200  and KT 100 =KT 200 , wherein in particular GH 100 &gt;100 cm, and furthermore in particular 50 cm&gt;ST 100 &gt;20 cm, and furthermore in 35 particular SH 100 &gt;40 cm or SH 100 &gt;60 cm. 
     For the second partition system  10 , GH 150 =GH 250 =GH 550  and SH 150 =SH 250 =SH 550  and ST 150 =ST 250 =ST 550  and KT 150 =KT 250 =KT 550 , where in particular GH 150 &gt;100 cm, wherein furthermore in particular 50 cm&gt;ST 150 &gt;20 cm, and furthermore in particular SH 150 &gt;40 cm or SH 150 &gt;60 cm. 
     The wall elements  1  of the first partition  5  system  2  and of the second partition system  10  have a core K which determines the geometrical shape of the particular wall element  1 —see  FIGS. 1 and 7 . The core K is coated or covered with a layer or shell S. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates the wall element  1 , which is shown in  FIG. 7 , schematically in a side view of the contact surface  151 , wherein, in the configuration shown in  FIG. 13 , the wall element  1   a  first cable duct  20  which is open toward a bottom surface  168  and toward the contact surfaces  151  and  152 . Furthermore,  FIG. 13  shows three second cable ducts  21  or  21   a ,  21   b  and  21   c , wherein one or more of the second cable ducts  21   a - 21   c , depending on requirements, are formed on the wall element  1 . The cable duct  21   a  runs from a groove  170  into the first cable duct  20 . The cable duct  21   b  runs from a step  163  into the first cable duct  20 . The cable duct  21   c  runs from a top surface  167  into the first cable duct  20 . By means of the cable duct  21   a , it is, for example, possible to supply a lamp  22 , which is positioned in the groove  170 , with current from the first cable duct  20 . 
       FIG. 14  shows, in a perspective view, a guide element  30  of a floor rail system  31 . The guide element  30  comprises a base plate  32  and two webs  33  and  34  formed on the base plate  32 , and forms a U profile  35 . The guide element  30  is fastened on a floor  36 , wherein the fastening takes place, for example, by means of adhesive bonding or screwing. When the guide element is fitted, the webs  33  and  34  protrude vertically upward from the floor  36 . 
       FIG. 15  shows schematically a wall element  1  which is inserted into the guide element  30  known from  FIG. 14 . The guide element  30  forms a guide rail for the wall element  1 , in which the latter is held laterally by the webs  33  and  34 , wherein the webs  33  and  34  bear against the visible surfaces  153  and  154 . 
       FIG. 16  shows a further guide element  37  which is dimensioned such that it can be engaged over by a wall element  1  which is formed comparably to the wall element shown in  FIG. 13 , with a first cable duct  20 . A guide element  37  which is matched to the first cable duct  20  affords the advantage that the cables which are provided for the first cable duct can already be laid therein in advance. 
     Finally,  FIG. 17  illustrates an alternative use of the guide element  37  shown in  FIG. 16 . Said guide element may also be used as a claw onto which a wall element  1  is pressed, wherein webs  38 ,  39  of the guide element  37  cut into the wall element when the latter is pressed thereon. 
     In principle, it should be noted with reference to  FIGS. 14 to 17  that the floor rail system, which is part of the partition system, provides the use of at least one guide element per wall element and in particular also a continuous arrangement of floor rail elements is provided. In this case, the floor rail elements are, of course, adapted to the specific geometry of the different wall elements and have in particular also an arcuate profile or are in particular designed as T-shaped or cross-shaped guide elements, as seen in top view. 
       FIG. 18  shows a partially cut open schematic view of two adjacent wall elements  1  or  1   a  and  1   b  which are connected by two connecting means  40 ,  41  designed as clamps  42 ,  43 . The upper clamp  42  is positioned in grooves  169  or  169   a  and  169   b  of the two wall elements  1   a  and  1   b . The upper clamp  42  comprises a support  44  and two pins  45  and  46  which run parallel to each other and are connected to the support. The pins  45  and  46  are plugged by free ends  47  and  48  into bores  49   a  and  49   b  formed in the grooves  169   a  and  169   b  of the wall elements  1   a  and  1   b . By this means, the wall elements  1   a  and  1   b  are held in the illustrated position in which said wall elements bear against each other. The clamp  42  can be used for connecting two adjacent wall elements wherever bores matched to the clamp  42  are present on the two wall elements  1   a  and  1   b . In contrast to the clamp  42 , the clamp  43  also comprises an adjustable foot  53  in addition to a support  50  and two pins  51  and  52 . The adjustable foot  53  is arranged centrally between the two pins  51  and  52  in order to be able optimally to support the two wall elements  1   a  and  1   b . A length L 53  of the adjustable foot  53  can be changed, for example by means of a thread (not illustrated), and therefore a distance between the support  50  and a floor  36  can be changed. 
       FIG. 19  shows a further wall element  1  of the second partition system  10 , which wall element is designed as an intersection element  450 . The intersection element  450  has four contact surfaces  451  to  454  and four visible surfaces  455  to  458 . The visible surfaces  456  and  458  are each formed here by four visible subsurfaces  459  to  462  and  463  to  466  which merge into one another in each case via three steps  467 ,  468 ,  469  and  470 ,  471 ,  472 . The visible surfaces  455  and  457  and the upper visible subsurfaces  462  and  466  are connected by a top surface  473  which runs parallel to a bottom surface  474 . The top surface  473  forms a respective fourth step  475  and  476  with respect to the upper visible subsurfaces  462  and  466 . 
     In the top view, which is shown in  FIG. 20 , of the intersection element  450 , it can be seen that the visible surfaces  455  to  458  are all of angled design. In the region of the contact surface  451 , the intersection element  450  has a width e below the first step, a width f between the first and the second step, a width g between the second and the third step, and a width h above the third step. The heights a, b, c and d of the first to fourth steps  467 ,  468 ,  469 ,  475  and  470 ,  471 ,  472  and  476  are shown in  FIG. 19 . 
       FIGS. 21 and 22  show a further wall element  1  of the second partition system  10 , which wall element is designed as a further intersection element  480 . With regard to the intersection element  480 , reference is made to the description for  FIGS. 19 and 20 . In contrast to the intersection element shown there, visible surfaces  455  to  458  are not of angled design here but rather are of rounded design in an arcuate manner. Contact surfaces  451  to  454  are formed in a planar and congruent manner with the contact surfaces of the intersection element shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 . Accordingly, the intersection element  480  also has the same dimensions with regard to widths and heights. 
     The invention is not restricted to exemplary embodiments illustrated or described. On the contrary, it comprises developments of the invention within the scope of the patent claims. The adjacent wall elements may be fully in contact by means of the contact surfaces thereof. This substantially increases the stability of the partition, since adjacent wall elements are supported against one another and stabilized via the friction between the contact surfaces. 
     LIST OF DESIGNATIONS 
     
         
           1  wall element 
           1   a ,  1   b  wall element 
           2  partition system 
           3  partition 
           4 ,  5  connecting means 
           6 ,  7 ,  8  branch 
           9  room 
           10  partition system 
           11  first partition 
           12  second partition 
           13  floor 
           14  rail 
           15  pin 
           20  first cable duct 
           21 ,  21   a - 21   c  second cable duct 
           22  lamp 
           30  guide element 
           31  floor rail system 
           32  base plate of  30   
           33 ,  34  web of  30   
           35  U profile 
           36  floor 
           37  guide element 
           38 ,  39  web of  37   
           40 ,  41  connecting means 
           42 ,  43  clamps 
           44  support of  42   
           45 ,  46  pin of  42   
           47 ,  48  free end of  45  and  46   
           49   a ,  49   b  bore in  1   a  and  1   b    
           50  support of  43   
           51 ,  52  pin of  43   
           53  adjustable foot of 
         A partition side 
         B partition side 
         K core 
         S layer or shell of K 
         V vertical 
         y longitudinal direction 
         a-d height of  1   
         e-h width of  1   
         α angle 
         I-III cell 
           100  stepped element 
           101 ,  102  contact surface 
           103 ,  104  visible surface 
           105  lower edge 
           106  upper edge 
           107 ,  108  visible subsurface 
           109  step 
           110  supporting surface 
           111  top surface 
           112  bottom surface 
           113  groove 
         L 100  length 
         GH 100  overall height 
         SH 100  base height 
         ST 100  base depth 
         KT 100  head depth 
         HA 100  vertical axis 
           150  stepped element 
           151 ,  152  contact surface 
           153 ,  154  visible surface 
           155  lower edge 
           156  upper edge 
           157 - 160  visible subsurface 
           161 - 163  steps 
           164 - 166  supporting surface 
           167  top surface 
           168  bottom surface 
           169 - 171  groove 
           169   a  groove of  1   a    
           169   b  groove of  1   b    
         L 150  length 
         GH 150  overall height 
         SH 150  base height 
         ST 150  base depth 
         KT 150  head depth 
           200  corner element 
           201 ,  202  contact surface 
           203 ,  204  visible surface 
           205  L-shaped lower edge 
           206  L-shaped upper edge 
           207  step 
           208  supporting surface 
           209  visible subsurface 
           210  top surface 
           211  bottom surface 
           212  edge 
         GH 200  overall height 
         SH 200  base height 
         ST 200  base depth 
         KT 200  head depth 
           250  corner elements 
           251  inner corner element 
           252  outer corner element 
           253 ,  254  contact surface 
           255 ,  256  visible surface 
           257  lower edge 
           258  upper edge 
           259 - 262  visible subsurface 
           263 - 265  steps 
           266 - 268  supporting surface 
           269  top surface 
           270  bottom surface 
           271 - 273  groove 
         GH 250  overall height 
         SH 250  base height 
         ST 250  base depth 
         KT 250  head depth 
           300  junction element 
           301 - 303  contact surface 
           304 ,  305  steps 
           306 ,  307  supporting surface 
           308 - 310  visible surface 
           311 ,  312  visible subsurface 
           313  top surface 
           314  bottom surface  314   
           400  intersection element 
           401 - 404  contact surface 
           405 ,  406  step 
           407 - 410  visible surface 
           410 ,  411  visible subsurface 
           412 ,  413  step 
           414  top surface 
           415  bottom surface 
           450  intersection element 
           451 - 454  contact surface 
           455 - 458  visible surface 
           459 - 462  visible subsurface 
           463 - 466  visible subsurface 
           467 - 469  step 
           470 - 472  step 
           473  top surface 
           474  bottom surface 
           475 ,  476  step 
           480  intersection element 
           500  change-over element 
           501 ,  502  contact surface 
           503 ,  504  visible surface 
           505 ,  506  step 
           507 ,  508  supporting surface 
           509 ,  510  visible surfaces 
           511  top surface 
           512  bottom surface 
         SA 500  mirror axis 
           550  change-over element 
           551 ,  552  contact surface 
           553 ,  554  visible surface 
           555 - 560  steps 
           561 - 566  supporting surface 
           567  top surface 
           568  bottom surface 
           569  groove 
           570 - 575  groove 
           580  change-over element 
         SA 550  mirror axis 
         L 550  length 
         GH 550  overall height 
         SH 550  base height 
         ST 550  base depth 
         KT 550  head depth 
         VL 580  vertical longitudinal center plane 
           600 ,  601  furniture element 
           602  seat element 
           603  bench 
           604  table element 
           605  desk 
           606  seat panel of  603   
           607  first side member of  603   
           608  second side member of  603   
           609  table top of  604   
           610  first side member of  604   
           611  second side member of  604