TEMPORARY WALL AND BRACKET SYSTEM FOR TEMPORARY WALL

Abstract

The present invention is a temporary wall and bracket system for a temporary wall, which provides a solution to the problem of creating a temporary walled space. The core components of the invention are a panel, a bracket system, and an end cap. Generally speaking, the components are configured as follows: The bracket system and end cap are attached to opposite ends of the panel. The bracket system adjusts in height using a screw attached between a bracket and the panel. The end cap has a high friction component and an elastic component.

Description

BACKGROUND

Various forms of temporary walls exist for use in the interior of buildings. Generally, these temporary walls stand on their own or are secured between the ceiling and floor of the building. These temporary walls generally have at least one of three problems. First, the temporary walls often do not cover the entire floor to ceiling area and have large gaps that provide for poor sound insulation.

Second, the temporary walls do not have a solid fit and are easy to accidentally knock over or break. Ceilings are generally not designed to be pressed against. Also, many temporary wall segments are secured to a ceiling at only two or three locations. This makes it so the force of securing the temporary wall is focused at only two or three points. Very little force can be placed at the two or three points without damaging the ceiling. So temporary walls are often not very well secured and can be knocked over by a person simply leaning against the temporary wall.

Third, temporary walls are often very difficult to install. Many temporary walls have four or five components that must be positioned (often by hand) for each portion of the temporary wall to be secured. Each section of temporary wall normally requires at least three people to install and each section takes several minutes to install.

SUMMARY

The disclosed device is unique when compared with other known devices and solutions because it provides an effective temporary wall that is easy to install, has few gaps, and can be much more securely fitted than is possible with previous models.

The disclosed device is unique in that it is structurally different from other known devices or solutions. More specifically, the device is unique due to the presence of: (1) a bracket system that can be easily and quickly mechanically adjusted by a power drill; (2) a combination of panel bracket system and end cap that provides complete or near complete coverage from ceiling to floor; and 3) an end cap that distributes force such that the temporary wall may be secured with greater force than is possible with other systems without damaging the ceiling of the building.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example front view of a temporary wall panel.

FIG. 2 shows an example back view of the temporary wall panel.

FIG. 3 shows an example cross sectional view of a bracket system on a panel.

FIG. 4 shows another example back view of the temporary wall panel.

FIG. 5 shows another example cross sectional view of the bracket system on the panel.

FIG. 6 shows an example cross sectional view of the end cap on the panel.

FIG. 7 shows another example back view of the temporary wall panel.

FIG. 8 shows another example cross sectional view of the end cap on the panel.

FIG. 9 shows an example top view of a thin bracket and with a baseplate.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a bracket.

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of a bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the Summary above, in this Detailed Description, the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used—to the extent possible—in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.

The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also contain one or more other components.

Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).

The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range including that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range, including that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40%” means 40% or less than 40%. When, in this specification, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number)-(a second number),” this means a range whose limits include both numbers. For example, “25 to 100” means a range whose lower limit is 25 and upper limit is 100 and includes both 25 and 100.

FIG. 1 shows an example front view of a temporary wall panel 1000. Several temporary wall panels 1000 may be placed between a ceiling and a floor of an interior room of a building placed side to side to form a temporary wall. The temporary wall panel 1000 may include a panel 100 with a bracket system 200 on a bottom end of the panel 100 and an end cap 300 attached to a top end of the panel 100 opposite the bottom end of the panel 100. From the front view, the temporary wall panel 1000 may have a substantially flat surface (including the panel 100, end cap 300, and the bracket system 200) extending from the floor to the ceiling of a room.

The panel 100 may also include a panel face 110, which may be a substantially flat board, sheet of metal, plastic, or other material with a paint coating for decorative purposes. The panel 100 may also include a bottom sleeve 120 which is designed to affix to the frame 105 and fit at least partially within the bracket system 200. The bottom sleeve 120 may be metal, plastic, or other durable material and may have a finish that will not be damaged by rubbing against a bracket 230 of the bracket system when the height of the temporary wall panel 1000 is changed using the bracket system 200.

The bracket system may include the bracket 230. As will be described in greater detail below, the bracket system may change the height of the temporary wall panel 1000 by raising or lowering the panel 100 in the bracket 230.

The end cap 300 may include an end cap bracket 310 which extends the entire width of the panel 100. The end cap bracket 310 may include materials such as metal, plastic, or other durable materials.

The temporary wall panels 1000 may have dimensions useful for creating a temporary wall in a building. Each temporary wall panel 1000 may extend from floor to ceiling (normally about 6.5-10 feet). The temporary wall panel may adjust in height, using the bracket system 200, about 2-3 inches and the overall height may be about 6.5-10 feet. However, any height of ceiling may be accommodated for. Each temporary wall panel 1000 may have a width of about 3-4 feet. One consideration is keeping weight low enough that the temporary wall panels can be placed by two people (generally under 300 pounds). However, if larger crews are used (or heavy equipment) temporary wall panels 1000 may be made with any width. The depth of the temporary wall panels 1000 may be about 1.5-3 inches. However, for larger or smaller walls the depth may be adjusted according to the needed structural strength.

FIG. 2 shows an example back view of the temporary wall panel 1000. The panel 100 may have a frame 105 that provides structural support for the panel 100. The frame 105 may be made of wood, metal, plastic, or other durable material. The panel face 110 may be attached to and structurally supported by the frame 105. The bracket system 200 may include multiple (usually two screws 210. The screws may be vertical when the temporary wall panel 100 is between the ceiling and floor in a building. The screws 210 may go through the bottom sleeve 120 and rotatably attached to the bracket 230. The bracket 230 may partially cover the bottom sleeve 120 on the front side and the back side of the panel 100.

If desired, a detachable back face (not shown) may be added to cover the back of the frame 105 for improved aesthetic appeal.

FIG. 3 shows an example cross sectional view of a bracket system 200 on a panel 100. FIG. 3 shows a cross section view along the line I-I′ of FIG. 2. The panel 100 may include a baseplate 130 attached below the sleeve 120. The baseplate 130 may be sized and arranged to contact the bracket 230 and slide against the bracket 230 when bracket system 200 is used to change the height of the temporary wall panel. The baseplate 130 may include a threaded section 132 defining a hole for the screw 210 to pass through.

The screw 210 may have a head 216, a threaded shaft 214 and an unthreaded tail 212. The threaded shaft 214 may be between the head 216 and the unthreaded tail 212. The screw may be made of steel or another durable material. The head 216 may have a hexagonal shape and/or may have an indent (not shown) for being turned by a Phillips or flathead screwdriver head. Thus, the screw 210 may be rotated using an electric drill, wrench, screwdriver, or other similar tool. The threaded shaft 214 of the screw 210 may engage with the threaded section 132 to push the panel up with relation to the bracket 230 while the screw 210 rotates. The bracket 230 may be made of metal and have a bottom side and two upturned sides which pass on either side of the baseplate 130 and the bottom sleeve 120. The bracket system 200 may further include a screw stop 240 with an indent 242 arranged and sized to receive at least a portion of the unthreaded tail 212 such that the unthreaded tail 212 can rotate in the indent 242. The screw stop 240 may be a piece of metal or other durable material with the indent 242 defined in it and may be attached to the bottom (horizontal extension) of the bracket 230.

The screw 210 engages with the threaded section 132 of the baseplate 130 to support the weight of the panel 100 and other components of the temporary wall panel 1000 above the panel 100. When the screw 210 is rotated, the threads of the screw force the panel 100 up or down (depending on the direction the screw 210 is rotated and the threading direction of the screw 210) relative to the bracket system 200. When both screws 210 are rotated the same amount, the height of the combination of the panel 100 and the bracket system 200 changes (rotating only one of the screws 210 causes one side of the temporary wall panel 1000 to rise higher than the other, which may be useful if the ceiling and floor are not entirely level). This may also change the uncompressed height of the temporary wall panel 1000. However, if the end cap is already pressed against the ceiling of the building, instead of the height changing, the pressure holding the temporary wall panel 1000 in place between the ceiling and floor of the building (not shown) may instead increase or decrease.

Because the back of the frame 105 is uncovered or can be uncovered, the screw 210 may be easily accessible by an electric drill (not shown) or other tool, making mechanically adjusting the bracket system 200 by rotating the screw 210 very easy.

The bracket system 200 may also have a base friction pad 290 attached to the bottom of the bracket 230 to increase friction between the bracket 230 and the floor of the building. Thus, the base friction pad 290 may include a material with a higher friction coefficient than the material(s) of the bracket 230, such as rubber. The material of the base friction pad 290 may be chosen based on the material of the floor of the building (e.g., a flat rubber may work better on tile, while a grooved plastic material may work better on carpet).

FIG. 4 shows another example back view of the temporary wall panel 1000. The bracket system 200 may include thin brackets 260 which do not extend for the entire width of the panel 100 like the bracket 230. The thin brackets 260 may be made of the same material as the bracket 230 and have the same height and interact with the bottom sleeve 120 in the same way as the bracket 230. The bracket system 200 may also include a bracket cover 270 that fills the gaps between the thin brackets 260 and extends the entire width of the panel 100 to provide improved aesthetics and sound insulation. There may be one screw 210 for each thin bracket 230. The thin bracket may have a width of about 3-12 inches.

FIG. 5 shows another example cross section view of the bracket system 200 on the panel 100. FIG. 5 shows a cross section view along the line II-IF of FIG. 4. The thin bracket 260 may interact with the bottom sleeve 120 and baseplate 130 in the same way as the bracket 230. The screw 210 may also engage with the thin bracket 260 in the same way as the bracket 230 with a screw stop 240 with an indent 242 which allows the unthreaded tail of the screw 210 to rotate while supporting the weight of the panel 100 and the pressure of the temporary wall panel 100 pressing between the floor and ceiling of the building.

The bracket cover 270 may include a bracket cover face 272 which may include the same materials as the panel face 110 and in some embodiments may have the same color paint or a complimentary color of paint as the panel face 110. The bracket cover 270 may also include clips 274 which secure the bracket cover face 272 to the thin brackets 260.

FIG. 6 shows an example cross sectional view of the end cap 300 on the panel 100. FIG. 6 shows a cross section view along the line of FIG. 4. The end cap 300 may include the end cap bracket 310, one or more springs 320 and an end cap friction pad 330. The end cap bracket 310 may have a flat section with two sections folded down from the flat section such that the end cap bracket passes over a portion of the front side and back side of the panel 100. The end cap friction pad 330 may be made of a material with a higher friction coefficient than the end cap bracket 310 such as rubber, silicone, or another material. The end cap friction pad 330 may be flat and materials that will not damage (scratch, indent, etc.) the ceiling are preferable.

The springs 320 may be metal springs or any material with a spring constant high enough to provide the desired force to maintain the temporary wall panel 1000 in place. It is desirable for the temporary wall panel 1000 to be able to resist at least 200 pounds of horizontal pressure before moving relative to the ceiling or floor of the building. Depending on the friction coefficient of the end cap friction pad 330 and the base friction pad 290 this may be possible with around 400-500 pounds of force. Accordingly, the springs 320 in some embodiments may be able to provide 500 pounds of force.

Although the temporary wall panel 1000 may have any dimensions that allow the temporary wall panel 1000 to function as a barrier extending from a floor to a ceiling of a building, some example dimensions for example purposes will be demonstrated to show the advantages of the invention. A temporary wall panel 1000 with a width (left to right from the perspective of FIG. 5 and into and out of the page of FIG. 6) of 3 feet and a depth ((left to right from the perspective of FIG. 6 and into and out of the page of FIG. 5) of 2 inches may have an area of 72 square inches at the point of contact with the ceiling (e.g., the end cap friction pad 330). 500 pounds of force spread out over 72 inches is about 7 pounds per square inch. Sheetrock is very unlikely to be damaged with only 7 pounds of pressure per square inch. Accordingly, in this example embodiment, the invention is very unlikely to cause damage to the ceiling due to the pressure needed to hold the temporary wall panels 100 in place. Previous temporary wall panels that contact the ceiling in only a few places cannot press with a large amount of force without damaging the ceiling so they either are not capable of providing adequate pressure or damage the ceiling.

FIG. 7 shows another example back view of the temporary wall panel 1000. The temporary wall panel 1000 of FIG. 7 is similar to the temporary wall panel of FIG. 4 except that it includes another different embodiment of end cap 300. The end cap 300 may include an elastic strip 340 instead of the end cap bracket 310, one or more springs 320 and the end cap friction pad 330 of FIGS. 4 and 6.

FIG. 8 shows another example cross section view of the end cap 300 on the panel 100. FIG. 8 shows a cross section view along the line IV-IV′ of FIG. 7. The elastic strip 340 may include an elastic material such as rubber or silicone with a high friction coefficient with the materials of the ceiling of the building. The elastic strip 340 may extend for the entire width and depth of the panel 100. The elastic strip 340 may be hollow so that the elastic strip may more easily deform to reduce force concentration when one side of the temporary wall panel 1000 is raised using a first of the screws 210, before the other side is raised using the other screw 210.

The temporary wall panels 1000 may have various attachments and accessories attached to form complete walls. For example, a temporary wall panel 1000 may include a door (not shown) built into the panel 100 or even extending down through the bracket system 200 (in this case the thin brackets 260 would need to be used so the door could go between the short brackets). Also, connectors/fillers (not shown) may be placed between the temporary wall panels 1000 to reduce gaps between the sides of the temporary wall panels 1000 forming a wall. Further corner covers/connectors (not shown) may also be placed where the temporary wall panels 1000 abut at a corner (e.g., 90 degrees).

FIG. 9 shows an example top view of the thin bracket 260 and with the baseplate 130. The thin bracket 260 may include vertical rails 262 that extend upward from the bottom side of the thin bracket 260 up the sides of the thin bracket. The rails by guide and laterally support the baseplate 130. The screw 210 may be between the vertical rails 262 such that the vertical rails provide lateral support in two dimensions to the screw 210 and baseplate 130 while the baseplate 130 is not prevented from moving vertically by the vertical rails 262.

Advantageously, the temporary wall panels 1000 may be placed side to side to completely fill the entire space between floor to ceiling and wall to wall of a building to create temporary rooms. Thus, this invention significantly improves sound insulation compared to other existing temporary wall panels that have large gaps. The temporary wall panels 1000 are also easy to install because they can be installed by using a power drill to screw two screws 210 after placing the temporary wall panels 1000 in the desired location. A job that can easily be done by two people in minutes. Furthermore, the structure of the end cap 300 allows for much more force to be placed on the ceiling without damaging the ceiling of the building and thus for a much more secure friction fit with no damage to the building.

FIG. 10 shows another illustration of a non-limiting embodiment of a bracket 400. Bracket 400 may include an upper plate 410 and lower plate 420. Upper plate 410 may have a rectangular prism shape with a plurality of apertures including a central aperture 412 and two outer apertures 414. Upper plate 410 may have two indents 416 or rectangular recesses on a top surface. Lower plate 420 may also have a rectangular prism shape with a top surface of similar perimeter to the bottom surface of upper plate 410. Lower plate 420 may have an aperture 422 at a center of the top surface on lower plate 420 whereby aperture 422 is aligned with central aperture 412 when lower plate 420 is positioned under upper plate 410. Lower plate 420 may have one or more indents 426 on the bottom surface.

A screw 430 may pass through central aperture 412 in upper plate 410 and then be received by aperture 422. Lower plate 420 may further include a screw stop 428 or nut, or indent arranged and sized to receive at least a portion of the unthreaded tail such that the unthreaded tail can rotate in the indent.

Screw 430 may have a head, threaded shaft, and an unthreaded tail. The threaded shaft may be between the head and the unthreaded tail. Screw 430 may be made of steel or another durable material. The head may have a hexagonal shape and/or may have an indent (not shown) for being turned by a Phillips or flathead screwdriver head. Thus, screw 430 may be rotated using an electric drill, wrench, screwdriver, or other similar tool. The threaded shaft of the screw 430 may engage with the threaded section to push the panel up with relation to bracket 400 while the screw 430 rotates.

The bracket 400 may include multiple (usually two screws 440) whereby they pass through apertures 414 on top plate 410. Screws 440 may be vertical when the temporary wall panel 100 is between the ceiling and floor in a building whereby screws are orientated into a direction opposite of screw 430. The screws 550 may go through the panel face 110 or bottom sleeve 120 and rotatably attached to bracket 400. One or more rubber bands 450 or other restraining devices may be positioned around top plate 410 and bottom plate 420 in indents 416 and 426 to provide a compressing force between top plate 410 and bottom plate 420. In one or more non-limiting embodiments rubber bands may be replaced by springs or other compression devices.

FIG. 11 shows another illustration of a non-limiting embodiment of a bracket 500. Bracket 500 may include an upper plate 510 and lower plate 520. Upper plate 510 may have a rectangular prism shape with a threaded receiving element 512 protruding upward from the top surface of upper plate 510. Upper plate 510 may have one or more notches 513 on one or more opposite side surfaces of upper plate 510 that may be square or any other suitable shape. Upper plate 510 may have one or more stubs pointing upward from the top surface of upper plate 510. Lower plate 520 may also have a rectangular prism shape with a top surface of similar perimeter to the bottom surface of upper plate 510. Lower plate 520 may have an aperture 525 through a center. Lower plate 520 may have one or more outwardly and upwardly projecting prongs 522 attached to sidewalls of lower plate 520. Prongs 522 may be received into notches 513 on upper plate 510 and snap into place until removed by external upward force when bracket 500 extends upward and then snaps back into place when lowered.

A screw 530 may pass through threaded receiving element 512 in upper plate 510 and then be received by aperture 525. Lower plate 520 may further include a screw stop 528 or nut, or indent arranged and sized to receive at least a portion of the unthreaded tail such that the unthreaded tail can rotate in the indent.

Screw 530 may have a head, threaded shaft, and an unthreaded tail. The threaded shaft may be between the head and the unthreaded tail. Screw 530 may be made of steel or another durable material. The head may have a hexagonal shape and/or may have an indent (not shown) for being turned by a Phillips or flathead screwdriver head. Thus, screw 530 may be rotated using an electric drill, wrench, screwdriver, or other similar tool. The threaded shaft of the screw 530 may engage with the threaded section to push the panel up with relation to bracket 500 while the screw 530 rotates.

Accordingly, the present description provides for various embodiments for a temporary wall panel 1000. Many uses and advantages are offered by the temporary wall panel 1000 as described above in one or more non-limiting embodiments in the present description.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of any means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The present invention, according to one or more embodiments described in the present description, may be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bracket system, wherein the bracket system is configured to be attached to a first side of a panel, wherein the bracket system has an adjustable height, wherein the bracket system includes one or more screws which adjusts the height of the bracket system.

2. The bracket system of claim 1, further comprising an end cap configured to extends across a first width of the panel, wherein the end cap is configured to be attached to a second side of the panel.

3. The bracket system of claim 2, wherein the bracket system and the end cap extend for an entire first width of the panel in a direction perpendicular to the height of the bracket system.

4. The bracket system of claim 1, wherein the bracket system includes two brackets.

5. The bracket system of claim 1, wherein the one or more screws adjusts the height of the bracket system and the panel by engaging with a threaded section of the panel while rotating.

6. A bracket system, wherein the bracket system has an adjustable height causing the bracket system to extend from a first position to a second position, wherein the bracket system include a screw which adjusts the height of the bracket system.

7. The bracket system of claim 6, wherein the screw adjusts the height of the bracket system by engaging with a panel while rotating.

8. The bracket system of claim 7, wherein the bracket system includes a first component and a second component wherein the screw passes through an aperture in the first component and is received into the second component wherein the first component is configured to move in relation to the second component when the height of the bracket system is adjusted.

9. The bracket system of claim 8, wherein the screw is received into a second indent in the second component.

10. The bracket system of claim 8, wherein the bracket system includes one or more second screws that pass through one or more second apertures on the first component.

11. The bracket system of claim 10, wherein the one or more second screws are orientated to be facing upwards.

12. The bracket system of claim 8, wherein the first component is positioned above the second component.

13. The bracket system of claim 12, wherein the first component and the second component are rectangular in shape.

14. The bracket system of claim 12, wherein the first component has one or more indents on a top surface, wherein the second component has one or more second indents on a bottom surface aligned with the one or more indents.

15. The bracket system of claim 14, further comprising one or more rubber bands positioned over the first component and the second component in the one or more indents and the one or more second indents.

16. A bracket system, wherein the bracket system has an adjustable height causing the bracket system to extend, wherein the bracket system include a screw which adjusts the height of the bracket system.

17. The bracket system of claim 16, wherein the bracket system includes a first component and a second component wherein the screw passes through an aperture in the first component and is received into the second component wherein the first component is configured to move in relation to the second component when the height of the bracket system is adjusted.

18. The bracket system of claim 17, wherein the first component has notches on opposing side surfaces wherein the second component has prongs that are receivable into the notches.

19. The bracket system of claim 18, wherein the first component has receiving element protruding from a top surface of the first component.

20. The bracket system of claim 19, wherein the first component and the second component has one or more studs.