U.S. patent application number 11/431889 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-07 for partition wall.
Invention is credited to Peter Kraft.
Application Number | 20060196133 11/431889 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34621288 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060196133 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kraft; Peter |
September 7, 2006 |
Partition wall
Abstract
A partition wall comprising at least one wall element 1 which
comprises front and rear wall panels 2 joined in a rectangular
frame composed of lateral frame parts 4 and upper and lower frame
parts 6 and 8. The lateral frame parts include two sets of opposing
guide grooves 14 which permit the wall panels to be inserted into
the frame by sliding the wall panels along the respective set of
guide grooves.
Inventors: |
Kraft; Peter; (Schnelldorf,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
BANK OF AMERICA PLAZA
101 SOUTH TRYON STREET, SUITE 4000
CHARLOTTE
NC
28280-4000
US
|
Family ID: |
34621288 |
Appl. No.: |
11/431889 |
Filed: |
May 10, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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PCT/DE04/02088 |
Sep 17, 2004 |
|
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11431889 |
May 10, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/236.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2002/7461 20130101;
E04B 2002/742 20130101; E04B 2/7427 20130101; E04B 2002/7479
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/236.9 |
International
Class: |
E04H 1/00 20060101
E04H001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 11, 2003 |
DE |
103 52 935.7 |
Dec 30, 2003 |
DE |
103 61 827.9 |
Claims
1. A partition wall comprising at least one wall element which
comprises at least one wall panel and frame parts at least
partially surrounding the periphery of the wall panel to form a
frame, and wherein the frame includes two lateral frame parts which
include opposing guide grooves which permit the wall panel to be
inserted by sliding the wall panel thereinto.
2. The partition wall according to claim 1, wherein the two lateral
frame parts are vertically oriented so that the wall panels can be
inserted in a vertical direction.
3. The partition wall according to claim 2, wherein the frame
further includes an upper frame part extending between the two
lateral frame parts for closing an upper portion of the frame after
insertion of the wall panel.
4. The partition wall according to claim 1, wherein the frame
includes a cover joined to the exterior of each of the lateral
frame parts.
5. The partition wall according to claim 4, wherein the covers of
the lateral frame parts include a connecting element which serves
to connect two wall elements with the connecting elements thereof
disposed opposite to one another.
6. The partition wall according to claim 5, wherein the connecting
elements of two adjacent wall elements comprise needled felt
fabrics which interconnect to each other.
7. The partition wall according to claim 1, wherein the one wall
element comprises front and rear parallel wall panels, and wherein
the two lateral frame parts include two sets of opposing guide
grooves which permit respective ones of the wall panels to be
inserted by sliding into one of the sets of opposing guide
grooves.
8. The partition wall according to claim 7, further comprising an
acoustic damping or insulating material disposed between the front
and rear wall panels.
9. The partition wall according to claim 1 wherein the frame
further includes an upper frame part for closing an upper portion
of the frame and a lower frame part which forms a base.
10. The partition wall according to claim 9 wherein the base
comprises supporting feet whose height is adjustable.
11. The partition wall according to claim 9 wherein the base
comprises fastening elements for fixation to or on a floor.
12. The partition wall according to claim 9 wherein the base
comprises a needled felt fabric for fastening to a carpeted floor
or the like.
13. The partition wall according to claim 9 wherein the lateral
frame parts and the upper frame part each comprise a metal profile
with a cover connected on an outer portion thereof.
14. The partition wall according to claim 1 wherein the wall panel
is made of wood, or metal, or plastic, and is coated with a fabric
cloth or plastic.
15. The partition wall according to claim 1 wherein the wall panel
comprises a perforated plate.
16. A partition wall comprising at least one generally rectangular
wall element which comprises front and rear parallel wall panels,
and frame parts at least partially surrounding the periphery of the
wall panels to form a frame, and wherein the frame includes two
lateral frame parts which include two sets of opposing guide
grooves which permit respective ones of the wall panels to be
inserted into the frame by sliding into one of the sets of opposing
guide grooves, an upper frame part extending between the lateral
frame parts for closing the portion of the frame through which the
panels are inserted, and a lower frame part which forms a base.
17. The partition wall according to claim 16 wherein the frame
further includes covers joined to the exterior of the lateral frame
parts and the upper frame part.
18. The partition wall according to claim 17 wherein the covers
which overlie the lateral frame parts each include a connecting
element which serves to connect two adjacent wall elements.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation of international
application PCT/DE2004/002088, filed 17 Sep. 2004, and which
designates the U.S. The disclosure of the referenced application is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a partition wall composed
of at least one wall element, where the wall element comprises at
least one wall panel and frame parts at least partially enclosing
the wall panel to form a frame. The wall panel can be a flat member
covered with cloth, thus, for example, a textile-covered flat
member which is disposed as a fixed panel in the frame. Finally,
the wall panel can be any flat member, with or without
applications.
[0003] Partition walls of the generic type have long been known in
practice. Only by way of example is reference made here to the
German Utility Model DE 202 07 741 U1.
[0004] The generic partition wall is, however, problematic in
practice to the extent that a specific appearance is defined in
advance when procuring the partition wall, which due to the
concrete, unalterable embodiment cannot be changed, or can only be
changed to a limited extent. Variable use is thus not possible, or
is possible only within narrow limits.
[0005] The object of the present invention is to develop and
improve a partition wall of the generic type in such a manner that,
with a simple construction, it can be used in a variable, and thus
multi-functional, manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The above and other objects and advantages of the present
invention are achieved by the provision of a partition wall which
comprises at least one wall element composed of at least one wall
panel and a frame enclosing the wall panel, and wherein the wall
panel can be inserted into the frame by sliding the frame into
opposed guide grooves formed in the lateral frame parts.
[0007] According to the invention it has been recognized that the
partition wall can be advantageously shaped in such a manner that
the wall panel or the wall panels of the wall element can be
exchanged. Even with this measure, variable use is ensured with the
simplest construction. Here it plays no role whether the wall
element is an exchangeable wall panel or, on the front side and
rear side, comprises two exchangeable wall panels. It is only
essential here that exchangeability from at least one side, i. e.
in the visible area, is possible, whereby on the one hand its
overall appearance and on the other hand its functionality can be
changed.
[0008] The flexibility of the partition wall according to the
invention is increased by the fact that the wall element comprises
on both sides, i. e. on each of the front side and the rear side, a
wall panel. In other words the appearance of both sides can be
changed, namely by inserting or exchanging a wall panel on the
front side and a wall panel on the rear side respectively, where
the assignment of the terms "front side" and "rear side" plays no
role if one assumes equivalent sides of the wall element and thus
of the partition wall.
[0009] In the scope of providing two wall panels which can be
inserted in the frame, it is in addition advantageous if they can
be inserted on both sides of the wall element and correspondingly
removed from the frame. Such an insertion or exchange of the wall
panels could be done horizontally from the side. In particular when
linking together wall elements however, it is advantageous if the
wall panel can be inserted into the frame vertically, preferably
from above. Such an application has the advantage that when the
cover has sufficient height the wall panel can be exchanged or
withdrawn upwards or, with a slight tilt of the wall element, the
wall panel can be exchanged or withdrawn obliquely to the
cover.
[0010] From the standpoint of construction, the frame formed by the
frame parts is open upwards for insertion of the wall panel. If the
wall element ends above the usual eye level the frame could remain
open upwards. Likewise, it is however conceivable that, to insert
the wall panel, the frame can be opened in its upper area and
preferably, after the insertion of the wall panel, can be closed
with a frame part or closing part for final enclosure of the wall
panel. In concrete terms, a cover which can be inserted or plugged
in could be provided for closing a plug-in opening in the upper
area of the frame so that with the use of the partition wall the
impression of a wall element closed on all sides is imparted.
[0011] The wall element or the partition wall under discussion here
offers not only a visual demarcation or division of space but
rather also an acoustic demarcation in any case when an acoustic
damping material is disposed between the wall panels. In addition
it should be noted that the wall element, if needed, can be
constructed with a different width, namely corresponding to the
dimensions of the frame parts. Thus, in any case enough space can
be provided between the wall panels to accommodate an acoustic
damping material so that an acoustic decoupling of different
spatial areas can be realized with the partition wall.
[0012] At this point it should be noted that between the wall
panels different materials can be disposed at different functional
parts so that the most varied properties and functions can be
assigned to the wall panel. This will be further described
below.
[0013] Like the upper frame part, the lateral frame parts can also
comprise closing caps or closing strips in order also to impart
from the side the impression of a frame closed in itself. The
lateral frame parts, closing caps, or closing strips can be used to
link together wall elements. For this, the lateral frame parts
comprise special connecting elements which serve to connect two or
more wall elements. In concrete terms, the connecting elements of
two wall elements could be formed to be disposed opposite to one
another and effectively connected. Thus, the connecting elements of
two adjacent wall elements could comprise needled felt connections
serving for mutual connection so that disposing them so as to be
opposite to one another, or at least so as to reciprocally press
onto one another, effects an approximately flat connection between
the wall elements, via their connecting elements.
[0014] To realize a secure connection between two wall elements it
is also possible that the connecting elements of two adjacent wall
elements comprise plug-in elements/plug-in openings serving for
mutual connection, where for the connection of two wall elements
the raising of one wall element with respect to the other wall
element, the plugging of the plug-in elements into the opposing
plug-in openings, and a relative motion between the wall elements
which effects a lock is required. A secure connection is created,
where it is possible without further effort to generate such a
connection with rounded lateral parts which permit the wall
elements to be at an angle with respect to one another. In
principle, the application of any connection technology is possible
in order to dispose, and thus connect in a secure manner, two flat
elements in a straight line or at an angle 5 relative to one
another.
[0015] The lower frame part of the wall elements serves for the
secure upright positioning of the partition wall. To align the wall
element, the base could comprise supporting feet whose height can
be adjusted, where, after positioning of the partition wall, a
jacketing of the lower area, in particular also for sealing with
respect to the floor, is possible.
[0016] Along with the supporting feet, or alternatively thereto,
the base could comprise fastening elements for fixation to, on, or
in the floor. To the extent that the floor, as is the case in most
offices, is covered with carpet, the lower frame part or the base
could comprise a needled felt connection for fixation to the
carpeted floor or the like. With simple means, fixation would be
created here so that only the partition wall still remains to be
supported. If at least two wall elements are connected at an angle
with respect to one another, a stand-alone partition wall is
realized so that additional supporting means are not required.
[0017] The frame parts forming the frame can be realized in the
most varied manner. In principle, a construction of wood or a
construction of plastic would be conceivable. In a quite
particularly advantageous manner, the frame parts forming the frame
are at least partially embodied as aluminum profiles with external
connection strips or cover strips. In addition, the actual frame
parts could consist of a uniform plastic profile which, to receive
the cover strips, connection strips, or base, comprises all around
its periphery special receptacles for plugging in or catching the
respective parts.
[0018] The insertable wall panels can be produced from different
materials. Thus, the wall panels can be produced in particular from
wood, metal, or plastic. In addition, it is conceivable that the
wall panels are coated or veneered with a flat material, e. g. with
cloth or plastic, or covered with cloth. In particular by covering
with cloth the sound-absorbing property of the wall element can be
enhanced quite significantly. Furthermore, an optimal adaptation to
the other furniture can be accomplished by covering with cloth,
where it is possible that not the wall panel itself but rather the
frame is covered immediately before the wall panel. Wide-ranging
flexibility and variability of the partition wall is also realized
thereby.
[0019] The wall panel could consist of solid material. Likewise, it
is conceivable to realize the wall panel as a perforated plate,
thus, for example, of plastic or aluminum.
[0020] In an additional advantageous manner, additional functions
could be assigned to the wall element, namely by the concrete
structure of the wall panels. Thus the wall panels could comprise
recesses or special receptacles for the disposition or fixation of
any objects. Likewise, it is conceivable that the wall element, at
least in some areas, comprises lighting in the sense of a lighting
cabinet, where the light source can serve to communicate
information similarly to an illuminated advertising wall or for
spatial illumination.
[0021] As already mentioned, the wall element could comprise, at
least in some areas, functional elements, thus, for example,
operating elements of any type, loudspeakers, flat-panel displays,
and so on. Also, a keyboard or a touch panel could be assigned to
the wall element, with which its functionality can be extended
and/or enhanced in any manner.
[0022] In an additional advantageous manner the wall elements, with
or without functional units, can be connected to or concatenated
with one another in any manner, where the angled connection of two
wall elements provides a secure upright position. In concrete
terms, the wall elements can be connected to one another in a
straight line, at an angle, in the shape of a T, in the shape of a
double T, or in the shape of a cross and thereby concatenated
endlessly. Any office arrangements or any configuration of separate
areas can be realized.
[0023] There are various possibilities for developing and extending
the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. To
be referred to concerning this, on the one hand, are the claims
subordinate to claim 1 and, on the other hand, the following
explanation of a preferred embodiment example of the invention with
the aid of the drawings. In connection with the explanation of the
preferred embodiment example of the invention with the aid of the
drawing preferred developments and extensions of the teaching are
also explained in general.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] In the drawings:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic frontal view of an embodiment of a
partition wall according to the invention, where only one wall
element is shown;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view of the wall element of
FIG. 1, where the individual frame parts and covers are shown;
[0027] FIG. 3 comprises cross-sectional views of the wall element,
namely in section A-A vertically through the upper frame part and
the base, and in section B-B horizontally through the lateral
parts, and
[0028] FIG. 4 is a horizontal section through the side parts which
form the connection area of two adjacent wall elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a partition wall according to the invention in
the form of a single wall element 1, it being understood that
several wall elements 1 can be connected to one another to form the
partition wall. The wall element 1 comprises a wall panel 2 and
frame parts enclosing the wall panel 2 to form a frame 3.
[0030] According to the invention, on at least on one side of the
wall element 1 the wall panel 2 can be inserted into the frame 3
and correspondingly exchanged.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows the wall element 1 in an exploded
representation, namely along with the wall panel 2 the respective
frame parts and covers, i. e. the lateral frame parts 4 together
with the lateral covers 5, the upper frame part 6 with the upper
cover 7, and the lower frame part 8 which with the supporting feet
9 forms the base 10. The frame parts 4, 6, and 8 are made in the
form of aluminum profiles. The covers 5 and 7 are also aluminum
parts, where any materials can be used here.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows in two sections the wall element 1, namely
according to vertical section A-A through the base 10 and the upper
frame part 6 and according to horizontal section B-B through the
lateral frame parts 4 and the lateral covers 5.
[0033] FIG. 3 show clearly that on both sides of the wall element 1
a wall panel 2 is inserted. Between the two wall panels 2 there is
acoustic damping material 11.
[0034] The upper frame part 6 is closed to the outside by an upper
cover 7. The wall panels 2 are covered in the embodiment example
chosen here with a cloth 12, where each of the wall panels 2 is
embodied as a perforated plate. The sound-absorbing property of the
wall panel 2 is enhanced thereby.
[0035] FIG. 3 shows in section B-B the arrangement of the lateral
frame parts 4 together with lateral covers 5. Also, the lateral
cover 5 are covered, namely with a velour material 13.
[0036] In section B-B of FIG. 3 it can be seen clearly that the
lateral frame parts 4 comprise quite special vertical guide grooves
14 in order to be able to receive the respective wall elements 2.
In the embodiment chosen here, the wall panels 2 are ca. 3 mm
thick, where different embodiments with respect to the profile are
possible.
[0037] In reference to FIG. 3 it should be noted that the cloth 12
can be stretched over the wall panel 2. Likewise, it is possible to
connect the cloth 12 to the wall panel 2 by adhesion, thus, for
example, by means of a spray adhesive which is sprayed onto the
wall panel 2 or onto the perforated plate serving for this
purpose.
[0038] FIG. 3 furthermore shows the concrete development of the
lateral frame parts 4 which comprise an anchor foot 15 in their
lower area. In any case, the lateral frame parts 4 are embodied so
that a correspondingly adapted cover 5 can be clicked in, namely by
a special catch mechanism 16 with corresponding spring elements 17
for inserting into the frame part 4.
[0039] FIG. 4 shows only parts of two wall elements 1 which are
connected to one another via the lateral frame parts 4 and the
covers 5 there. Stated more precisely, the lateral covers 5 are
provided with a rounded surface 18 which in turn comprises parts of
a needled felt connection which are compatible with one another.
Due to the rounded surfaces 18 the wall elements 1 can be
concatenated one with another in a straight line or at a
predetermined angle, where a secure needled felt connection 19 is
created.
[0040] With regard to additional features which cannot be deduced
from the figures chosen here, reference is made to the general part
of the description to avoid repetition.
[0041] Finally, let it be noted that the embodiment example
discussed above serves as an exemplary discussion of the teaching
claimed but does not restrict it to the embodiment example.
* * * * *