ES2351445B1 - SYSTEM OF PANELS OF ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT, AND SET LOWER PROFILE OF THE SAME. - Google Patents

Abstract

Panel system provided with a top profile assembly (1), a bottom profile assembly (2) and a panel (3) installed between them, which allows a simple leveling of the panel (3) in case of unevenness between the ceiling ( 4) and the ground (5). For this, the lower profile assembly (2) comprises a removable cover (6) to allow direct access to leveling means (7, 8, 9) of the panel (3). When the system installer wishes to level a panel (3) already placed between the lower profile assembly (2) and the upper profile assembly (1), only the leveling means (7, 8, 9) must be operated, without the need for remove the panel (3), and then finish the assembly by placing the cover (6). Thus, assembly is facilitated since it is not necessary to completely remove the panel (3) to access the leveling means, as in conventional systems.

Description

so that the ceiling and floor are uneven. For

Adjustable height panel system, and lower profile assembly thereof. Technical sector

The invention refers to a system of panels for enclosing spaces in a given room (office, dwelling, etc.), said system being based on an upper profile assembly (generally connected to the ceiling) and a lower profile assembly (generally connected to the ground), and said system being provided with means to level the panels. State of the art

In the prior art, panel systems are known that allow the construction of glass or opaque walls in spaces such as offices, homes, etc., based on the use of metal profiles connected to the ceiling and floor of the space between which they are placed successive glass panels or opaque panels. Such systems are generally known as linear systems, and in them the size of the panels is particular to each installation, as opposed to modular systems, in which the size of the panels is standard and the installation is carried out based on “blocks "

In the case of linear systems, as mentioned, the panels are installed between profiles connected to the ceiling and floor of the room. The installation process is generally as follows. First, an upper profile assembly and a lower profile assembly are mounted, respectively connected to the ceiling and floor. Subsequently, the installer takes measurements of the panel gap (usually glass) and orders the manufacture of said panel according to the measurement. Then, it is necessary to wait a while until the panel is ready. Once the panel is available, the installer mounts it on the upper profile assembly and lower profile assembly. Generally the assembly is done by inserting the upper edge of the panel in the upper profile assembly to the maximum height allowed, aligning the lower edge of the panel with the lower profile assembly and gently dropping the panel until its lower edge is housed in the profile assembly. lower.

It can happen on numerous occasions that the roof and floor are uneven, that is, they are not parallel. To solve this problem, the operator usually introduces some chocks in the lower profile set. Selecting blocks of adequate height is able to tilt the panel so that the successive panels are parallel to each other.

The assembly of the panel on the shims is usually laborious and uncomfortable. If, after assembling the panel according to the entire process described above, the operator discovers that the panel is uneven, he must completely remove the panel, adjust the chocks and reinsert the panel.

The invention aims to provide a panel system in which the assembly and disassembly procedure of the panels on the upper and lower profile assemblies is simplified, and the leveling process of the panels is simplified. Brief Description of the Invention

The object of the invention is a panel system provided with a top profile assembly, a bottom profile assembly and at least one panel installed between the top profile assembly and the bottom profile assembly, that is, the bottom profile assembly comprises a cover separable from the rest of the lower profile assembly to allow direct access to panel leveling means. Said leveling means preferably comprise a mobile threaded element capable of moving vertically and a fixed nut capable of rotating with respect to a vertical axis and unable to move vertically. When the system installer wishes to level a panel already placed between the lower profile assembly and the upper profile assembly, he only has to operate the leveling means, without the need to remove the panel, and then finish the assembly by placing the cover. Particularly, in the case of the leveling means mentioned, before installing the cover the installer will simply have to insert a wrench and turn the fixed nut to raise or lower the mobile threaded element and thus level the panel.

A very notable advantage of the invention is that the panel can be somewhat taller than in conventional systems since it does not have to release the total height of the upper and lower profile assemblies in order to be positioned between them, since, according to the invention, the panel is mounted with the cover previously removed. In addition, the upper profile assembly must not free (be as tall as) the entire height of the lower profile assembly (which should be done in order to fit the panel in a conventional system), so that the upper profile assembly may have a low height and, consequently, a better aesthetic result.

The object of the invention is also the lower profile assembly used in the panel system according to the invention.

The system according to the invention can be connected directly to the ceiling or to a false ceiling or other type of upper structure. Similarly, it can be connected to the ground or to any other type of lower structure. This aspect should not be limiting for the invention. Brief description of the fi gures

The details of the invention can be seen in the accompanying figures, not intended to be limiting of the scope of the invention:

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Figure 1 shows a sectional elevation of an embodiment of the panel system according to the invention.

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Figure 2 shows a view analogous to that of Figure 1, in which the leveling means and the panel are higher.

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Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the area of Figure 1 in which the lower profile assembly is located.

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Figure 4 shows a view analogous to that of Figure 3, in which the cover is shown separated from the rest of the lower profile assembly. Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 shows a sectional elevation of an embodiment of the panel system according to the invention. Said system comprises a top profile assembly (1) connected to the ceiling (4) and a bottom profile set (2) connected to the floor (5). The upper profile set (1) comprises several sub-profiles that are not relevant to the present invention. The system also comprises at least one panel (3) installed between the upper profile assembly (1) and the assembly

3 EN 2351445A1 4

bottom profile (2). The panel (3) can be made of glass, blind, etc. without the invention intending to limit itself in this regard. Said panel (3) is height adjustable by means of leveling means (7, 8, 9) located inside the lower profile assembly (2). Said leveling means (7, 8, 9), which in the embodiment shown are, as will be explained below, a movable threaded element (7), a fixed nut (8) and a support piece (9), serve of support area of the panel (3) and can be adjusted in height. In this way, they allow to regulate the inclination of the panel

(3) and save possible inclinations of the ground (5).

Figure 2 shows a view similar to that of Figure 1, in which the leveling means (7, 8, 9) and the panel (3) are higher than in Figure 1, helping to understand the way of panel leveling (3).

Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the area of Figure 1 in which the lower profile assembly (2) is located, in order to show the most relevant details of the invention. As can be seen, the lower profile assembly (2) comprises a cover (6) separable from the rest of the lower profile assembly (2) to allow direct access to leveling means (7, 8, 9) of the panel (3). Figure 4, in fact, shows the cover (6) separated from the rest of the lower profile assembly (2), making it clear how the fixed nut (8) is then accessible.

The fact of providing the bottom profile assembly (2) with a cover (6) capable of being removed for easy access to the leveling means (7, 8, 9) provides significant advantages and improvements to the assembly process of the entire system. So, yes when the panel

(3) It is already assembled the installer realizes that it is incorrectly level, it is not necessary to remove the panel (3) but it is enough to act on the leveling means (7, 8, 9) until a perfect leveling is achieved of the panel (3), and finally put the cover (6) in place.

Preferably, the lower profile assembly (2) has the following con fi guration: on the one hand it comprises said cover (6), said cover being substantially flat and said cover (6) closing a side of the lower profile assembly (2); on the other hand, it comprises a profile substantially in L (10). Thus, the lower profile assembly (2) has substantially a very useful U-shaped section and at the same time without unnecessary complexities.

Preferably, as shown in the figures, the leveling means (7, 8, 9) of the panel (3) comprise a movable threaded element (7) and a fixed nut (8). The mobile threaded element (7), which can be a threaded stud, a rod, a screw or the like, is capable of moving vertically. The fixed nut (8) cannot move vertically but only rotates with respect to a vertical axis of rotation. The fixed nut (8) is accessible from the outside when the cover (6) is detached, so that the operator can insert a wrench and turn the fixed nut (8) to produce the raising or lowering of the mobile threaded element (7 ), and the subsequent leveling of the panel (3). In addition, the leveling means (7, 8, 9) comprise a support piece (9) on which the panel (3) rests. Said support piece (9) is preferably plastic and allows the panel (3) not to rest directly on the mobile threaded element (7), which could damage the panel.

In addition, as seen in Figures 3 and 4, the substantially L-shaped profile (10) of the lower profile assembly (2) comprises ribs (12) that give stiffness to the entire lower profile assembly (2) (must be taken into account note that said assembly supports the entire weight of the panel (3)). Furthermore, in the present embodiment said ribs (12) delimit a housing

(11) in which the fixed nut (8) is encased, so that the fixed nut (8) cannot move vertically and can only rotate with respect to a vertical axis.

As for the connection of the cover (6) with the rest of the lower profile assembly (2), preferably the cover (6) comprises tabs (13) that engage with the ribs (12) of the substantially L-shaped profile (10) . This solution has the advantage of being robust and at the same time allowing the lid (6) to be detached without undue difficulty.

5 EN 2351445A1 6

Claims (8)

one.

Panel system, comprising a top profile assembly (1), a bottom profile assembly (2) and at least one panel (3) installed between the top profile assembly (1) and the bottom profile assembly (2), characterized because the lower profile assembly (2) comprises a cover (6) separable from the rest of the lower profile assembly (2) to allow direct access to leveling means (7, 8, 9) of the panel (3).

2.

Panel system according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower profile assembly

(2) is a U-profile comprising the cover (6), said cover being substantially flat and closing one side of the lower profile assembly (2), and a substantially L-shaped profile (10). 3. Panel system according to claim 1, characterized in that the leveling means of the panel comprise a movable threaded element (7) and a fixed nut (8), the fixed nut (8) being accessible from outside to the detach the cover (6), so that turning the fixed nut (8) the movable threaded element (7) is raised or lowered.

Four.

Panel system according to claim 3, characterized in that a support piece (9) is placed on the mobile threaded element (7) on which the panel (3) rests.

5.

Panel system according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the fixed nut (8) is encased in a housing (11) delimited by ribs (12) for reinforcing the profile substantially in L (10).

6.

Panel system according to claim 5, characterized in that the cover (6) comprises tabs (13) that engage with the ribs (12) of the substantially L-shaped profile (10) to allow the connection of the cover (6) ) to the rest of the lower profile set (2).

7.

Lower profile assembly (2), according to any of the preceding claims.

 ES 2 351 445 A1    ES 2 351 445 A1    ES 2 351 445 A1   SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application no .: 200803400 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 28.11.2008 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: E04B2 / 82 (01.01.2006) RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

Documents cited Claims Affected

X

US 5483775 A (REDMAN RONALD E) 16.01.1996, column 1, lines 4-7; column 3, 1-3.7

lines 20-33; column 3, line 44 - column 4, line 2; summary; figures.

X

FR 1460054 A (ANCIENS ETABLISSEMENTS RICHER) 17.06.1966, page 1, paragraphs [4-5,8]; 1.7

figures 1-2.

TO

US 3885361 A (DE SCHUTTER CAMIEL R) 27.05.1975, column 1, lines 24-35; column 3, 1-7

lines 43-56; column 4, lines 5-9; figures.

TO

JP 2005023611 A (ARUKAZASHI) 27.01.2005, figures. 1-7

TO

JP 2006037637 A (SEKISUI HOUSE KK et al.) 09.02.2006, figures. 1-7

TO

US 4449337 A (GZYM LARRY P et al.) 22.05.1984, column 2, lines 55-60; column 4, 1-7

lines 39-52; claim 1; figures.

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Date of realization of the report 21.01.2011

Examiner E. Balsera Porris Page 1/4

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Application number: 200803400 Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols) E04B, E04C Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, terms of search used) INVENES, EPODOC State of the Art Report Page 2/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 200803400 Date of Written Opinion: 21.01.2011 Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims Claims 1-7 IF NOT

Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims Claims 4-6 1-3, 7 IF NOT

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).  Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published. State of the Art Report Page 3/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 200803400 1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

US 5483775 A (REDMAN RONALD E) 16.01.1996

D02

FR 1460054 A (ANCIENS ETABLISSEMENTS RICHER) 06/17/1966

D03

US 3885361 A (DE SCHUTTER CAMIEL R) 05/27/1975

D04

JP 2005023611 A (ARUKAZASHI) 01/27/2005

D05

JP 2006037637 A (SEKISUI HOUSE KK et al.) 02.09.2006

D06

US 4449337 A (GZYM LARRY P et al.) 05/22/1984

2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement The present invention relates to a panel system for enclosing spaces, and more specifically to the lower profile of said panel system, provided with leveling means. Document D01, which is considered the closest to the state of the art, discloses a support and leveling element of enclosure panels. Said element is included in the lower profile of a system of panels of the type consisting of an upper profile, a lower profile and a panel installed between them. Said lower profile comprises a cover separable from the rest of the profile assembly to allow direct access to panel leveling means. The "lower profile" assembly is essentially configured as a U-profile comprising the cover that closes one side of the "lower profile" assembly, said cover being substantially flat, and an essentially L-shaped profile. The leveling element of the panel comprises a mobile threaded bolt, the head being accessible from the outside when the cover is detached, so that turning said head allows the panel to be raised or lowered. This leveling element disclosed in D01 differs from the leveling means of the panel included in the application document in which, in the case of document D01, what is rotated is the head of the threaded bolt, this rise causing the rise or the lowering of the block in which said threaded bolt is inserted, and in that way, the level variation of the panel that rests on it, while, in the case of the application document, what is rotated is the fixed nut, this turn producing the rise and fall of the threaded rod on which the panel rests. In both cases the same technical effect is achieved, both of which can be considered as design variants sufficiently known in the state of the art. Therefore, the invention as disclosed in claims 1 to 3 and 7 of the application lacks inventive activity in relation to what is disclosed in document D01 of the prior art (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986). On the other hand, the technical characteristics disclosed in claims 4 to 6 of the application document are not included in the prior art and, therefore, are new (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986). Likewise, they are not considered to result from the state of the art in an obvious way for one skilled in the art, therefore they involve inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986). Document D02 is considered of particular relevance with respect to the inventive activity of claims 1 and 7 of the application document (See D02: page 1, paragraphs 4, 5 and 8; figures 1 and 2). Documents D03 to D06 are considered representative of the state of the art. State of the Art Report Page 4/4