U.S. patent application number 09/765729 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-28 for movable partition.
Invention is credited to Auer, Karl-Heinz.
Application Number | 20010004817 09/765729 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8232386 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010004817 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Auer, Karl-Heinz |
June 28, 2001 |
Movable partition
Abstract
A mobile partition comprises at least one partition element (2)
and at least one at least partly ferromagnetic support post (1).
The partition element (2) has two vertical edge sections (6) which
comprise magnetic systems (10) for joining the partition element
(2) to the at least one support post (1). Said magnetic systems
(10) are configured as magnetic strips (11) which extend
substantially alongside the edge sections (6) and with their flat
surfaces contact the corresponding support post (1). Each magnetic
strip is inserted into a concave recess (13) in the edge sections
(6) and presents non-magnetic edge areas.
Inventors: |
Auer, Karl-Heinz; (Burk,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HELFGOTT & KARAS, P.C.
60TH FLOOR
EMPIRE STATE BUILDING
NEW YORK
NY
10118-6098
US
|
Family ID: |
8232386 |
Appl. No.: |
09/765729 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09765729 |
Jan 18, 2001 |
|
|
|
PCT/EP99/05261 |
Jul 23, 1999 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/238.1 ;
52/239 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2/7438 20130101;
E04B 2002/7468 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/238.1 ;
52/239 |
International
Class: |
E04H 001/00; E04H
003/00; E04H 005/00; E04H 006/00; E04H 014/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 31, 1998 |
EP |
98114411.6 |
Claims
1. A movable partition including at least one partition element (2)
and at least one, at least partially ferromagnetic, support post
(1) in which the partition element (2) has two upright edge
sections (6) which include magnetic systems (10) for joining the
partition element (2) with at least one said support post (1), the
magnetic systems (1) including magnetic strips (11) which extend
substantially along the height of the edge sections (6) and which
lie flush with the respective said support post (1), characterised
in that each of the magnetic strips (11) has unmagnetised edge
areas and is embedded in a concave arcuate deep recess (13) of the
edge section (6).
2. A movable partition according to claim 1 characterised in that
the edge section (6) which is not joining with a said support post
(1) has a neutralising infill piece (17) located therein.
3. A movable partition according to claims 1 and 2 characterised in
that the support post (1) is round in cross-section and that the
magnetic strips (11) have concave arcuate outer surfaces.
4. A movable partition according to claims 1 to 3 characterised in
that the magnetic strips (11) are flexible.
5. A movable partition according to claim 4 characterised in that
the magnetic strips (11) are planar in the relaxed state and when
located in the concave recess (13) of the edge section (6) are
under compression.
6. A movable partition according to any of claims 1 to 5
characterised in that the magnetic strips (11) have on the rear
thereof at least one connection rib (14) each of which fits into a
slot (15) of the respective edge section (6).
7. A movable partition according to any of claims 1 to 6
characterised in that the wall thickness of the support post (1) is
at least 1.2 mm.
8. A movable partition according to any of claims 1 to 7
characterised in that the edge section (6) has on its rear an
attachment rib (7) which fits into a complementary groove (8)
provided in an edge trim (5) of the partition body (3) of the
respective partition element (2).
9. A movable partition according to any of claims 1 to 8
characterised in that at least one post-assembled safety member is
provided on a joined partition element/support post assembly for
holding the two parts together.
10. A movable partition according to claim 9 characterised in that
the safety member is shaped as a clip-on safety clip and is
attached at the top of and onto the edge section (6) and the
support post (1).
11. A movable partition according to any of claims 1 to 1 0
characterised in that each partition element (2) includes a
partition body (3) formed from two flax/rice straw sheets (4)
between which there are provided edge trims (5) composed of MDF and
a filler material (25) having a honeycomb structure.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a movable partition including at
least one partition element and at least one, at least partially
ferromagnetic, support post, in which the partition element has two
upright edge sections which include magnetic systems extending
essentially along the edge sections for joining the partition
elements to at least one support post with the magnetic strip being
flush on the support post.
[0002] At different times, the use of magnetic attraction has been
described for joining partition elements, with or without support
posts. A movable partition is described in Swiss patent
specification 662601 in which the partition elements have edge
sections along which one or more permanent magnets, or if
appropriate electromagnets, co-operate with ferromagnetic parts of
the support post, thus joining the partition elements to the
post.
[0003] European patent applications 0178504 and 0807723 describe
movable partitions having partition elements joined, not with
support posts, but directly to one another and again using magnetic
attraction. Also the corresponding partition elements have edge
sections with several magnetic fittings distributed along their
lengths.
[0004] Although considered satisfactory, the preceding known
movable partitions suffer from a serious disadvantage. To guarantee
a sufficiently stable assembly of partition elements with support
posts, relatively strong magnets must be used. As a result,
frequently in practice it is found that in the region of the join
between partition elements and support posts a stray magnetic field
is detectable up to considerable distances from the partition. This
creates a risk to the security of data stored on machine readable
data carriers if such data carriers are in the proximity of this
kind of partition. Similarly, a risk applies for example to the
safe functioning of heart pace-makers.
[0005] To solve a similar problem for the free end of a movable
partition in which the individual elements are directly joined with
one another without a support post, it was proposed in European
patent application 0807723 to neutralise the magnetic field by
means of a short-circuit element which is located in contact with
magnetic pole socket of the magnet arrangement. However this insert
is not only expensive for solving the problem but is also
unsuitable when joining a partition element with a support post
because a sufficiently high magnetic force must be provided to give
the partition sufficient stability.
[0006] In the earliest known prior art, EP-0053933 A1, a movable
partition has a magnetic strip on the support post for joining a
partition element to the post. Indeed, this configuration of
magnetic arrangement has two features which contribute to an
improvement of the stray field problem compared to the prior art
described above. This is because the field strength of the magnetic
arrangement is confined to the region between the magnetic
arrangements and the support post, in contrast to multiple magnets
which would have a greatly enlarged area of effect, but without
having a disadvantageous effect on stability of the erected
partition. Furthermore, the stray field is further reduced by the
flat arrangement of the magnetic strip on the support post.
Nevertheless, with this well known movable partition, it is not out
of the question that stray magnetic fields spread outwards with the
disadvantages described above.
[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a movable
partition of the generally known type that provides improved
protection of stored data on machine-readable data carriers and
which minimises risk to persons with heart pace-makers.
[0008] The object is achieved by the present invention by providing
magnetic strips embedded in a concave arcuate deep recess in the
edge sections of the partition elements, the strips having
unmagnetised edge areas. For example, with a 20 mm wide strip, only
a 15 mm central area is magnetised and the remaining edge areas
remain unmagnetised. Having such unmagnetised edge areas in
combination with embedding the magnetic strips into deep grooves in
the edge sections can clearly increase the security against stray
fields, compared to the present state of the technology. At the
same time, the arrangement provides for special circumstances, for
example if the partition is accessible only at one side, or an
asymmetric magnetisation of the magnetic strip in question. This
particular manner of influencing the stray magnetic fields in a
simple possible manner in the respective related applications, is a
distinct advantage of the present invention which is not attained
in partitions of the known kind.
[0009] A first preferred embodiment of the invention is
characterised in that, at the free end of the edge section of a
partition not joined with a support post, there is fitted an infill
piece which neutralises the magnetic field of the respective
magnetic strip. Such an infill piece is of ferromagnetic material.
The surface of the infill piece facing towards the edge section has
a curve which is complementary to the curve of the support post. In
this manner, a flush contact of the respective magnetic strip with
the infill piece is guaranteed resulting in the greatest possible
cancellation of stray fields.
[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the support post
preferably has a round cross-section and the magnetic strips
preferably have a corresponding complementary concave arcuate outer
surface. The round cross-section of the support post makes it
possible for partition elements to be joined with it in any
position. However, the support posts and the magnetic strips are
not limited to that particular shape. For example, the support
posts may have a polygonal (e.g. octagonal) cross-section whereby
in this case the magnetic strips have a flat planar outer
surface.
[0011] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the
magnetic strips are flexible. It is particularly preferred that the
magnetic strips are planar in the relaxed state whereby they are
inserted under a bias or compression into a concave arcuate groove
in the edge section. This is of particular advantage in relation to
manufacture because the production of planar magnetic strips is
considerably more cost effective than the production of arcuate
magnetic strips. The cost advantage arises when a magnetic strip
that needs to have an arcuate form in its final condition, as
described above, is first produced as a planar magnetic strip and
later, because of its flexibility, adopts a compressed arcuate
shape when mounted in the edge section.
[0012] For secure mounting on the edge section the magnetic strip
has at least one connection rib, most preferably on its rear, which
fits into a groove of the respective edge section. Such a
connection rib may have a swallow-tail shaped cross-section
guaranteeing a secure mounting of the (if applicable compressed)
magnetic strips in the respective groove of the edge section. The
connection rib may be solid, hollow or split. Cross-sectional
shapes other than the projecting swallow-tail shape, e.g. T-shape,
can have similar advantages.
[0013] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the wall
thickness of the support posts is throughout their length at least
1.2 mm ferromagnetic material. With this specification, a magnetic
flux arises within the support posts of such a strength that stray
fields, even under unfavourable conditions, are reduced to an
insignificant level.
[0014] The edge sections have as reinforcement a reinforcement rib,
preferably located at a rear portion, which fits into a
complementary slot provided in an edge strip extending along the
respective partition body of the partition element. In this way,
the same shape of edge section can be readily mounted on different
partition bodies, which is advantageous for a cost-effective
modular system.
[0015] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, at least
one safety member to be fitted afterwards is provided on a combined
partition element/support post assembly for fixing the two parts
together. It is significant that the safety member need not be
permanently connected to the partition element or to the support
post, but rather that it is fitted separately, if desired flexibly
or removably, with the assembly of the partition element and
support post. This is achieved by the safety member being secured
as a final operation to ajoined partition element/support post
assembly. With this arrangement the partition element with its
magnetic strip adhering to the support post need not be displaced
relative to the support post in order to mount the safety member in
its operative fixing position. To achieve this, the safety member
can act as a clip-on security clip particularly mounted from above
the edge section and the support post.
[0016] The present invention is further described with reference to
the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a horizontal section through a support post and
through two partition elements constituting a section of an erected
movable partition according to the invention, and
[0018] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a safety clip for fixing
to an assembly of a support post and partition element after their
assembly.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, two partition elements (2) are assembled
with the support post (1). Each partition element (2) includes a
partition body (3) made of two flax/rice straw sheets (4). Between
the sheets (4) and extending along their height there are provided
edge trims (5) made from MDF and also a filler material (25) having
a honeycomb structure. Also, there are two vertical edge sections
(6). Each edge section (6) has on its rear side a trapezium-shaped
attachment rib (7) which fits into a complementary swallow-tail
groove (8) in the edge trim (5). Furthermore, each edge section (6)
is bounded by two flanges (9) which are located on the outside of
the sheets (4) of the partition body (3). These flanges (9) are
resiliently flexible in order to provide some compensating
tolerance for receiving a partition body (3) having a thickness
less than the nominally specified thickness.
[0020] For joining the partition elements (2), the support post (1)
is made of ferromagnetic material and abuts on each edge section
(6) which has a magnetic system (10) composed of a magnetic strip
(11) extending along the respective edge section (6). These
magnetic strips (11) have a generally flat configuration providing
a concave arcuate outer surface (12) abutting the support post (1).
The magnetic strips (11) are composed of a flexible support
material which is planar in its relaxed state. The arcuate shape
(12) forms as the magnetic strips are inserted under compression
into the concave recesses (13) of the respective edge section (6).
For secure mounting of the magnetic strip (11) in the respective
edge section (6), the strip (11) has extending rearwardly a
connection rib (14) which fits into a slot (15) of the respective
edge section (6). The connection rib (14) has a trapezium-shaped
cross-section complementary to the swallow-tail shape of the slot
(15).
[0021] At the unattached end (16) of the partition, the relevant
edge section (6) is provided with an infill piece (17) that has a
generally lens-shaped cross-section. The infill piece (17)
neutralises the magnetic field of the respective magnetic strip (1
1). The infill piece (17) is made of a ferromagnetic material. The
magnetic strips (11) have concave outer surfaces with the same
curvature as the support post (1) so that the magnetic strips (11)
lie flush. The curvature of the outer surface (18) of the infill
piece (17) corresponds to the curvature of the outer surface (19)
of the edge section (6), whereby the infill piece is smoothly
integrated visually into the edge section (6). The magnetic strips
(11) are not magnetised over their entire width. Magnetisation is
limited to the middle area which leaves the outer areas
unmagnetised.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows a safety clip suitable for fixing onto a
partition element (2) with its magnetic strip (11) adhering to a
support post (1). The safety clip (20) includes a bridging piece
(21) with two projections, one extending from one side thereof and
forming an inner internal hook (22) and the other extending from
the other side and forming an outer hook (23). The outer hook (23)
has two projections (24) which are folded inwardly in the direction
of the inner hook (22) to form a wedge-shape. The safety clip (20)
is attached in its final position from above and onto a joined
support post/partition element assembly so that the inner hook (22)
engages the inside of the support post (1) and the outer hook with
the projections (24) engages the slot (15) of the edge section (6).
The safety clip (20) therefore secures the connection between the
respective partition element (2) and the support post (1)
supplementing the magnetic force operating between the magnetic
strips (11) and the support post (1).
* * * * *