Patent Grant
9982431
This application is the 35 U.S.C. § 371 national stage application of PCT Application No. PCT/IB2014/065707, filed Oct. 30, 2014, where the PCT claims priority to and the benefit of, IT Patent Application No. MI2013A001961, filed Nov. 25, 2013, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
The present invention relates to a modular frame structure, a modular partition wall, as well as to a method for mounting the modular structure and the modular partition wall.
In particular, the present invention relates to a modular frame structure of a wall made of glass panes; pane or plate; or other pane material, or pane.
The modular frames for movable wall are used mainly to divide a room into multiple environments, where carrying out an invasive intervention for the modification of the layout of the place, for example, by erecting a partition wall, is not desired.
The frames of the prior art are usually composed of a plurality of upper cross bars secured to the ceiling, vertically on top of a plurality of bases secured to the floor, connected to a plurality of mounts, or uprights, that compose the sides of the frame.
The mount is secured to the cross bar and the base by angular connecting members.
Each of these sides of the frame (cross bars, bases, and mounts) is usually composed of joiners or joiner section bars of couplable by means of screws, or snap-couplable, formed by two portions, generally section bars, connected by screw or snap-fit securing means, which, in the assembled configuration, form a pane compartment that is so configured as to receive an edge portion of the pane and to lock it on both sides of the pane.
The pane compartment of the base further receives a support member, suitable to support the pane weight in the operative position thereof.
The mounting of the wall first occurs by securing a cross bar to the ceiling, vertically on top of a base secured to the floor. A mount is then connected to the cross bar and the base. The pane is rested onto the support member of the base in the vertical operative position thereof. Subsequently, the snap joiners are assembled so that the edge portions of the pane are received in the pane compartments. The method hereto described is repeated so as to place a new pane side by side to the preceding one, thus forming the wall.
Examples are given by the documents, WO 2013/028155, U.S. Pat. No. 8,544,223, U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,405, U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,321, U.S. 2008/134610, U.S. 2009/241443, U.S. 2010/0199596, EP 2 246 495.
The frame structure of the type described above, while being satisfactory from multiple viewpoints, has a number of drawbacks.
First, the frame structure described above does not provide for the possibility of compensating possible errors in the relative vertical positioning between the cross bar and the base during the installation. This forces to the use of skilled labor, and it further involves an increase in the installation times.
The joiners that snap-close, thus forming the seat for the pane, do not ensure a constant and repeatable pressure transversally to the pane, hence a connection safety that is able to support even accidental impacts.
Furthermore, the snap joiners that are used do not have a high mechanical strength, unless the thickness of the frame sides is oversized, in which case the aesthetics of the wall is compromised, which is to the detriment of the overall safety, especially in the case that heavy panes are used, as the soundproof multilayer panels.
Finally, the described frame structure has a considerable designing complexity of the environment in which it will be arranged, and of the installation thereof, which makes it unsuitable to solutions where the movable wall has to be uninstalled and subsequently frequently reinstalled, such as, for example, in offices.
Therefore, the need is particularly felt, to obtain a modular frame structure, as well as a partition wall, which simplifies the connection of the panes, while preserving a high operative safety, increasing the mounting precision.
A further need that is felt is to drastically reduce the designing times of the environments and, especially, the mounting times, without for this to the detriment of the mounting precision and aesthetical characteristics, in particular hiding, the connecting or coupling members to the sight.
Therefore, the object of the present invention is to propose a modular frame structure that allows achieving the above-mentioned needs, as well as solving the drawbacks of the prior art hereto mentioned.
These and other objects are achieved by a structure according to claims 1 and 5, a wall according to claim 6, and a method of use or maintenance according to the claims 9 and 10.
Some advantageous embodiments are the object of the dependent claims.
By virtue of the provision of the characteristics of the structure according to the invention, it is possible to obtain a product which is simple to be manufactured and mounted, at the same time being able to preserve a high mounting and operative safety.
Furthermore, by virtue of the characteristics of the structure according to the invention, it is possible to ensure a higher mounting rapidity, without compromising the installation precision, while improving the aesthetics of the structure.
Further characteristics and advantages of the structure according to the invention will be apparent in the description set forth below of preferred embodiment examples thereof, given by way of illustrative, non-limiting example, with reference to the annexed figures, in which:
With reference to the above-mentioned figures, and in accordance with a general embodiment, a modular frame structure 1 of a partition wall made of glass panes, or other pane material, or more simply pane 7, comprises a side assembly 2 to form at least one of the lower side, or base, of the frame structure 1, or the upper side, or cross bar, of the frame structure 1, or a mount, or column member arranged between the base and the cross bar, of the frame structure 1.
Said side assembly 2 comprises a track 3 suitable to firmly connect to the ceiling or the floor, or a support structure. Said track 3 has a body extending along a preset first longitudinal extent .
Said assembly further comprising a telescopic section bar 4, suitable to be connected to said track 3, for example, but not necessarily, fitted on said track so as to cover it substantially completely.
Said telescopic section bar 4 forms at least one invitation and coupling seat 5 facing the exterior of the section bar and is suitable to receive a coupling section bar 6 secured to said pane 7, for example, but not necessarily, a coupling section bar 6 firmly secured to an edge of the pane, the coupling of which to the frame structure is desired.
Said invitation and coupling seat 5 is defined by a sliding and resting wall 8 that with an edge 9 thereof defines a seat opening 10 through which the seat 5 opens to the outside of said telescopic section bar 4.
Said invitation and coupling seat 5 is also defined by a bottom wall 11 comprising a snap-coupling device seat 12, in which a snap-coupling device (18) is received by a base portion 17 thereof, so that a body portion 19 thereof projects cantilever in said invitation and coupling seat 5 and, facing said sliding and resting wall 8, forms therewith a coupling slit 20 that, in disengaging conditions, has reduced dimensions going towards said seat opening 10.
Said body portion 19 of said snap-coupling device 18 has a shape and is made of a material allowing an elastic deformation thereof to snap-receive said coupling section bar 6 in said coupling slit 20 so that an undercut 16 provided for in said coupling section bar 6 is coupled by the mutual action of the snap-coupling device 18 and the sliding and resting wall 8.
In accordance with an embodiment, at least one of
is an extruded section bar.
In accordance with an embodiment, said snap-coupling device 18 is coextruded with said telescopic section bar 6, for example, but not necessarily, by securing by co-extrusion to the snap-coupling device seat 12. Preferably, said snap-coupling device 18 is made of a coloured material, for example, a red material, so that it can be well visible during the assembling steps, preventing it from being erroneously stepped on.
In accordance with an embodiment, said assembly comprises a coupling section bar 6 having a body 13 projecting cantilever from a base 14 along a second extension direction Y-Y and forms a free end 15 defining an undercut 16 with respect to the extension direction Y-Y, for example, a thickened or folded free end.
In accordance with an embodiment, said coupling section bar 6 is firmly connected to said pane 7, for example, at an edge to be connected to the frame structure of said pane.
In accordance with an embodiment, said pane 7 has its own outer surface 22, and said track 3 or said telescopic section bar 4 comprises a side surface 21 facing outwardly of the frame structure 1. Said invitation and resting seat 5 is arranged in the telescopic section bar 4 so that the pane 7, when it is snap connected through the coupling section bar 6 has its outer surface 22 substantially flush or co-planar with the side surface 21.
In accordance with an embodiment, said invitation and coupling seat 5, said snap-coupling device 18, and said coupling slit 20 extend along the entire longitudinal extent of the telescopic section bar 4.
In accordance with an embodiment, said side assembly 2 forma the upper side, or cross bar, of the frame structure 1, and said upper side has an upper resting surface 23 suitable to rest and/or connect to an upper resting plane 24, for example, a ceiling or a support structure, for example, a support structure of a false ceiling.
In accordance with an embodiment, said invitation and coupling seat 5 forms with said snap-coupling device 18 a coupling slit 20 extending, in a section transversal to the longitudinal extent of the telescopic section bar 4, substantially orthogonally to said upper resting surface 23.
In accordance with an embodiment, said invitation and coupling seat 5 forms with walls thereof, for example, with said sliding and resting wall 8, or an extension thereof, a support for the coupling section bar 6 secured to said pane 7 so as to prevent the accidental overturning of said pane 7.
In accordance with an embodiment, said side assembly 2 forma the lower side, or base, of the frame structure 1, and has a lower resting surface 25 suitable to rest and/or connect to a lower resting plane 26, for example, a floor or a support structure.
In accordance with an embodiment, said invitation and coupling seat 5 forms with said snap-coupling device 18 a coupling slit 20 that, in the section transversal to the longitudinal extent of said telescopic section bar 4, extends substantially parallel to said lower resting surface 25, so that said coupling section bar 6, secured to said pane 7, may slide against said sliding and coupling wall 8, and/or an extension thereof, entering said seat 5 and resting the weight of said pane 7 on said sliding and coupling wall 8 and/or an extension thereof.
In accordance with an embodiment, in said sliding and coupling wall 8, or an extension thereof, a channel 27 is provided for. In accordance with an embodiment, said channel 27 is for example provided for in said sliding and coupling wall 8 of a lower side assembly, or base.
In accordance with an embodiment, in said coupling section bar 6 is a rib 28 provided for. In accordance with an embodiment, said rib 28 is provided for in said coupling section bar 6 connected to the pane 7 in the proximity of a lower edge thereof, suitable to rest and couple said lower side assembly.
In accordance with an embodiment, in an engaging position in which said pane 7 is rested and coupled to said frame structure 1, said rib 28 engages with said channel 27 so that the weight of the pane 7 prevents the accidental moving away of the pane 7 from the lower side assembly 2 without a voluntary prearranged lifting of the pane 7.
In accordance with an embodiment, said side assembly 2 comprises a covering and finishing section bar 29 suitable to couple to said telescopic section bar 4 to cover the side assembly 2, hiding to the sight said section bars and showing a finishing surface 30 facing the direction opposite to said side assembly 2.
In accordance with an embodiment, said finishing surface 30 and said side surface 21 are substantially the only visible surfaces of said side assembly 2 when they are in the mounted and operative condition with pane 7, or panes, rested and coupled.
In accordance with an embodiment, said finishing surface 30 and/or said side surface 21 comprise aesthetical means, for example aesthetical treatments or veneers or similar decorations.
In accordance with an embodiment, between said track 3 and said telescopic section bar 4 at least one acoustic gasket 31 is provided for, which is arranged in a position cut off from sight of the assembled and operative side assembly 2.
In accordance with an embodiment, said acoustic gasket 31 extends along the entire longitudinal extent of said side assembly 2.
In accordance with an embodiment, said telescopic section bar 4 is so shaped as to fit, for example, telescopically and externally, on the track 3 and substantially cut it off from sight.
In accordance with an embodiment, a side assembly 2 comprises two opposite invitation and coupling seats 5 forming with respective snap-coupling devices 18, opposite coupling slits 20 for the snap-coupling of panes 7 facing to form a double pane partition wall.
In accordance with a general embodiment, a side assembly 2, suitable to form at least one of the lower side, or base, of the frame structure 1, or the upper side, or cross bar, of the frame structure 1, or a mount, or column member arranged between the base and the cross bar, of the frame structure 1, comprises a track 3 suitable to firmly connect to the ceiling or the floor or a support structure.
Said track 3 has a body extending along a preset first longitudinal extent X-X.
In accordance with an embodiment, said track 3 comprises a lower wall 32.
In accordance with an embodiment, said assembly further comprises a telescopic section bar 4, suitable to be connected to said track 3. Said telescopic section bar 4 comprises an upper wall 34.
In accordance with an embodiment, said telescopic section bar 4 is fitted on said track 3 and between said track 3 and said telescopic section bar 4 at least one frame structure adjusting jack 36 is interposed, which is suitable to locally modify the distance between said track 3 and said telescopic section bar 4, for example to level said telescopic section bar 4 with respect to an optionally irregular resting plane 26, for example, a floor, of the track 3.
In accordance with an embodiment, said upper wall 34 of said telescopic section bar 4 comprises a connection hole 37 defined by a hole edge 39.
In accordance with an embodiment, said frame structure adjusting jack comprises snap-connection extensions 38 suitable to insert in said connection hole 37 and snap-couple on said hole edge 39 of said upper wall 34 of said telescopic section bar 4, thus connecting said jack 36 to said telescopic section bar 4.
In accordance with an embodiment, said track 3 comprises a lower wall 32 having an inner lower resting surface 33 and track ribs 42 defining undercut track seats extending longitudinally in the proximity of said lower resting surface 33, for example, extending laterally to this surface 33 along the entire longitudinal length of the track 3.
In accordance with an embodiment, said telescopic section bar 4 comprises an upper wall 34 having an inner upper resting surface 35.
In accordance with an embodiment, said jack 36 comprises a lower jack resting base 40 that, under operative conditions, is rested on said inner lower resting surface 33.
In accordance with an embodiment, said lower jack resting base 40 has undercut coupling side extensions 41.
In accordance with an embodiment, said undercut coupling side extensions 41, under operative conditions, engage in said undercut track seats firmly connecting the lower jack resting base 40 to said lower wall 32 of track 3.
In accordance with an embodiment, said lower jack resting base 40 has a lower base wrench seat 43, for example, a polygonal-edged lower hole, suitable to engage a maneuvering wrench for the rotation of said lower jack resting base 40 from a disengaging position, in which said undercut coupling side extensions 41 are uncoupled or external to said undercut track seats, to an operative engaging position in which said undercut coupling side extensions 41 engage in said undercut track seats firmly connecting the lower jack resting base 40 to said lower wall 32 of track 3.
In accordance with an embodiment, from said lower jack resting base 40 a threaded stem 44 projects, extending towards said telescopic section bar 4 when the telescopic section bar is fitted on said track 3.
In accordance with an embodiment, said threaded stem 44 is in a single piece with said lower jack resting base 4.
In accordance with an embodiment, said threaded stem 44 is of a cylindrical shape and has a stem thread 45 external to its cylindrical body.
In accordance with an embodiment, at a preset height of said threaded stem 44 a preset break line 46 is provided for, suitable to divide an end portion of the threaded stem 44 for a reduction of the extension thereof in case of use in lowered side assemblies 2.
In accordance with an embodiment, said jack 36 comprises an upper resting base 47 that, under operative conditions, is rested on said inner upper resting surface 35.
In accordance with an embodiment, from said upper resting base 47 a sleeve or a threaded cylinder 48 projects, for example, but not necessarily, in a single piece, fitted threaded on said threaded stem 44, so as to adjust the distance between said upper resting base 47 and a lower resting base 40.
In accordance with an embodiment, said upper resting base 47 has an upper base wrench seat 49, for example, a polygonal-edged upper through hole.
In accordance with an embodiment, said polygonal-edged upper through hole 49 has dimensions larger than the polygonal-edged lower hole, so as to allow the passage through the polygonal-edged upper through hole 49 of a maneuvering wrench suitable to engage in said lower hole and to maneuver said lower resting base 40 without maneuvering the upper resting base 47, but operating only through said upper hole 49.
In accordance with an embodiment, from said upper resting base 47 at least one snap-coupling extension or petal 50 projects from the opposite side to the threaded sleeve 48.
In accordance with an embodiment, said at least one snap-coupling extension or petal 50 comprises a plurality of elastically deformable petals 50, for example arranged about said polygonal-edged upper through hole 49, to be able to be elastically deformed in a bunched up position to be inserted into said connection hole 37 of the upper wall of telescopic section bar 34 and come back to the extended position in an undercut snap-coupling on the opposite side of the upper wall 34 with respect to the upper resting base 47.
In accordance with an embodiment, said plurality of elastically deformable petals 50 has a petal neck 51 having dimensions reduced with respect to a petal head 52 arranged at the free end of the petal 50. In accordance with an embodiment, said petal neck 51 is suitable to receive an undercut with respect to the petal head 52, the edge of the connection hole 37 putting the petal head to couple with the upper wall of telescopic section bar 34 so as to prevent the petal 50 from exiting the connection hole 37.
In accordance with an embodiment, the at least one petal 50, in a snap-engaging position with the edge of the connection hole 37, defines a petal passage or hole 53, for example, arranged centrally to the plurality of petals 50, so as to leave a free passage for maneuvering wrenches suitable to engage with wrench seats 43, 49 provided for in said lower and upper resting bases 40, 47, operating only through said connection hole 37 of the telescopic section bar 4.
In accordance with an embodiment, a safety plug 54 is provided for, having a plug stem 55 suitable to insert in said petal hole 53 to lock said at least one petal 50 in an engaged position with said edge of connection hole 37, locking the connection between said upper jack resting base 47 and said telescopic section bar 4 and so as to prevent that the petals get a bunched up position and may be withdrawn from the connection hole 37.
In accordance with an embodiment, said plug stem 55 comprises elastically deformable plug petals to snap-couple to the upper jack resting base 47 passing through the polygonal upper hole 49.
In accordance with an embodiment, said safety plug 54 comprises a plug base 56 suitable to cover and protect the at least one petal 50, for example the petal head 52 to cut the petals off from sight.
In accordance with an embodiment, the upper resting base 47 and/or lower resting base 40 of the jack have an extension transversal to the threaded sleeve 48 and the threaded stem 44, respectively, such as to rest on at least ⅔ of the inner upper resting surface 23 and the inner lower resting surface 33, respectively.
In accordance with an embodiment, the upper resting base 47 and/or lower resting base 40 of the jack have an extension transversal to the threaded sleeve 48 and the threaded stem 44, respectively, substantially equal to the entire free extension of the inner upper resting surface 23 and inner lower resting surface 33.
In accordance with an embodiment, said internally threaded sleeve 48 has a preset-breakage circumferential line 57 suitable to shorten the longitudinal extent of the sleeve 48 in the case of an application in a side assembly 2 that is lowered or with reduced dimensions, without providing a separate and different jack 36.
In accordance with a general embodiment, a modular partition wall 58 comprises a frame structure as described above in any of the embodiments, and comprises at least one pane 7 snap connected with its coupling section bars 6 in respective coupling slits 20 provided for in respective side assemblies 2 of the frame structure 1.
In accordance with an embodiment, said pane 7 is a pane made of glass or a similar material, or a pane made of plasterboard or a similar material, or a plurality of panes vertically placed side by side, or a plurality of panes horizontally placed side by side.
In accordance with an embodiment, said modular partition wall comprises an upper side assembly 2, or cross bar, and a lower side assembly 2, or base, and comprises at least one pane 7 having an upper pane edge 59 to which a coupling pane section bar 6 is connected, and a lower pane edge 60 to which a coupling pane section bar 6 is connected.
Said pane 7 is snap coupled superiorly and inferiorly in respective coupling slits 20 provided for in the respective upper and lower side assemblies 2.
In accordance with an embodiment, said wall comprises a coupling section bar 6 having a body 13 projecting cantilever from a base 14 along a second extension direction Y-Y and forms a free end 15 defining an undercut 16 with respect to the extension direction Y-Y, for example a thickened or folded free end.
In accordance with an embodiment, said coupling section bar 6 is firmly connected to said pane 7, for example, at an edge to be connected to the frame structure of said pane.
A method for mounting the frame structure and the partition wall will be described herein below.
A method for mounting a pane 7 to a modular frame structure 1 of a partition wall made of glass panes, or other pane material, comprises the following steps:
In accordance with a further method the following steps are encompassed, of:
In accordance with a possible operation mode, a method comprises the following further steps:
In accordance with a possible operation mode, a mounting method comprises at least one of the, but also all, the following steps:
It shall be apparent that those skilled in the art, in order to meet contingent, specific needs, will be able to make a number of modifications and variations to the assembly according to the invention, all anyhow contained in the protection scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.
In accordance with an embodiment, to cover of the telescopic section bar 4, and particularly the visible portion of invitation and coupling seat 5, after the snap coupling of the pane 7, a covering and finishing section bar 29 is provided for comprising an extension, or locking snug of the covering and finishing section bar 61 which, under the coupled condition with the telescopic section bar 4, projects in the proximity of the snap-coupling device 18, preventing the elastic deformation thereof to make of the coupling section bar 6 exit from the coupling slit 20, so as to prevent the accidental uncoupling of the pane 7 once covering and finishing section bar 29 is in the seat.
By virtue of this snug 61, even in the case that the partition wall has a pane only on one side of the side assembly 2 and thus engages an invitation and coupling seat 5 arranged on a side and is accidentally hittable from the side opposite the snap coupling direction with an action aimed to uncoupled the wall, the snug, preventing the elastic deformation of the snap-coupling device 18, prevents the uncoupling of the coupling section bar 6 and thus of the pane 7.
In accordance with an embodiment, said extension, or locking snug of the covering and finishing section bar 61, extends along the entire longitudinal extent of the covering and finishing section bar 29.
In accordance with an embodiment, to cover the telescopic section bar 4, a covering and finishing section bar 29 is provided for, comprising a covering side wall of the covering and finishing section bar 62 that, when the covering and finishing section bar 29 is coupled to the telescopic section bar 4, covers, cutting off from sight, an invitation and coupling seat 5 optionally not used in the case of a partition wall with a pane on only one side, or a partition wall with a single pane.
In accordance with an embodiment, said covering side wall of the covering and finishing section bar 62 extends along the entire longitudinal extent of the covering and finishing section bar 29.
In accordance with a possible embodiment, a modular frame structure 1 of a partition wall made of glass panes, or other pane material, or pane 7, comprises
wherein
In accordance with an embodiment, a modular frame structure 1 comprises one or more of the characteristics described above, and it further comprises the following characteristics:
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| MI2013A1961 | Nov 2013 | IT | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2014/065707 | 10/30/2014 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2015/075586 | 5/28/2015 | WO | A |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20160356039 A1 | Dec 2016 | US |
