GB2035434A

GB2035434A - Posts for demountable partitioning

Info

Publication number: GB2035434A
Application number: GB7846381A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-11-28
Filing date: 1978-11-28
Publication date: 1980-06-18
Also published as: GB2035434B

Abstract

A post for use in demountable partitioning comprises a first part A of H cross-section with oppositely directed laterally extending flanges 3 on adjacent ends of each side limb of the H, and a second part B of top hat section that nests into the other side of the H from the flanges 3, this second part having flanges 5 that define, together with the flanges 3, channels to receive the vertical edges of adjacent panels C. The open faces of both parts can be closed by further parts D, which can be plastics extrusions and portions 2a of the side limbs of the H can be thicker than portions 2b. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Posts for demountable partitioning This invention relates to posts for use in the construction of demountable partitioning. Various proprietary systems of modular demounta ble partitioning are known, generally employing panels located between horizontally spaced upright posts secured between floor and ceiling. A drawback of the known simple systems, in which the vertical edges of the panels are received in channels in the sides of the posts, is that once a given structure has been erected it is impossible to remove an intermediate panel without either destroying that panel or first taking down all the posts and panels between that panel and one end of the structure.

Whilst it is true of some systems that the posts are of multi-part constructions that would allow such removal of intermediate panels, these have generally been of relatively complex, and consequently expensive, design.

The primary aim of the invention is to provide a simple and economical multi-part structural post for use in demountable partitioning, allowing removal of intermediate panels from a finished structure with the minimum of trouble. A further aim is to provide a post that is easy to erect, keeping labour costs low.

According to the invention such a post has a section comprising a first part of basically H shape with laterally extending flanges on the adjacent ends of each of the side limbs of the H, and a second part of complementary top hat section that is arranged to fit into the channel of the H that is furthest from the lateral flanges, the lateral flanges of the top hat section co-operating with the lateral flanges on the first part to define between them the channels for receiving the vertical edges of the panels.

Thus, when the second part is detached from the first, the panel on one or each side of the post can be displaced out of the plane of the structure and removed;yet when the two parts are assembled together they are closely interengaged so that each helps to stiffen the other to produce a strong and rigid post. The two parts can conveniently be held rigidly together by screws or bolts passing through the web of the top hat section to engage threaded holes or captive nuts in the web of the H section.

An example of a partitioning post in accordance with my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which shows a horizontal section through the post, the two parts being shown assembled together.

The first part A is of basically H section, with a web 1, two side limbs 2, and two laterally extending flanges 3. This can be formed as an extrusion in aluminium alloy, and it will be seen that the portions 2a of the limbs 2 are thicker than the portions 2b in the example shown, although this is not essential.

The other part B is an extrusion of top hat section, with main dimensions such as to fit neatly and tightly into the space between the portions 2b of the limbs 2, with its web 4 against the web 1 of the first part A. Flanges 5 on the part B define, together with the flanges 3 on the part A, and the limbs 2 on the part A, channels that receive the vertical edges of panels, indicated in broken lines at C. These panels can be of known commercially available form.

The parts A and B are secured together by vertically spaced screws (indicated diagrammatically at 6) passing through one web and engaging a tapped hole in the other. Alternatively bolts may be used. To hold the parts together temporarily during shipping, han dling and cutting to length, a strip of doublesided adhesive may be interposed between the two webs.

It will be appreciated that, by virtue of the recess in the part A, the post can double as a wiring post, and also a switch post; indeed the width between the portions 2a may be made a standard width to receive an architrave switch. The recess is closed by a frictionally held push-in channel-section inserted bead D, which could be an aluminium alloy extrusion, or a black plastics extrusion, or any other material, as desired. The recess in the top hat section B can be closed by a similar bead D and this recess may also be used for wiring, for example where regulations call for telephone cables or low-voltage bell wires to be in a separate duct from mains cables.

It will be understood that the post described can be used in conjunction with conventional horizontal head sections and bottom bars and indeed it may be interspersed with conventional simple on-piece H-section upright posts.

Because the panels are removable, the posts according to the invention can be erected before the panels, if desired. The simplicity of construction and freedom afforded by the detachable two-part form ensure that labour costs in erection are kept to a minimum.

1. A multi-part structural post for use with demountable partitioning comprising a first part of constant cross-section of basically H profile with oppositely directed laterally extending flanges on adjacent ends of each of the side limbs of the H, and a second part of complementary constant top hat section that is arranged to fit into the channel of the H that is furthest from the lateral flanges of the H, the lateral flanges of the top hat section cooperating with the lateral flanges of the first part to define between them channels for receiving vertical edges of partitioning panels.

2. A post according to Claim 1 in which

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Posts for demountable partitioning This invention relates to posts for use in the construction of demountable partitioning. Various proprietary systems of modular demounta ble partitioning are known, generally employing panels located between horizontally spaced upright posts secured between floor and ceiling. A drawback of the known simple systems, in which the vertical edges of the panels are received in channels in the sides of the posts, is that once a given structure has been erected it is impossible to remove an intermediate panel without either destroying that panel or first taking down all the posts and panels between that panel and one end of the structure. Whilst it is true of some systems that the posts are of multi-part constructions that would allow such removal of intermediate panels, these have generally been of relatively complex, and consequently expensive, design. The primary aim of the invention is to provide a simple and economical multi-part structural post for use in demountable partitioning, allowing removal of intermediate panels from a finished structure with the minimum of trouble. A further aim is to provide a post that is easy to erect, keeping labour costs low. According to the invention such a post has a section comprising a first part of basically H shape with laterally extending flanges on the adjacent ends of each of the side limbs of the H, and a second part of complementary top hat section that is arranged to fit into the channel of the H that is furthest from the lateral flanges, the lateral flanges of the top hat section co-operating with the lateral flanges on the first part to define between them the channels for receiving the vertical edges of the panels. Thus, when the second part is detached from the first, the panel on one or each side of the post can be displaced out of the plane of the structure and removed;yet when the two parts are assembled together they are closely interengaged so that each helps to stiffen the other to produce a strong and rigid post. The two parts can conveniently be held rigidly together by screws or bolts passing through the web of the top hat section to engage threaded holes or captive nuts in the web of the H section. An example of a partitioning post in accordance with my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which shows a horizontal section through the post, the two parts being shown assembled together. The first part A is of basically H section, with a web 1, two side limbs 2, and two laterally extending flanges 3. This can be formed as an extrusion in aluminium alloy, and it will be seen that the portions 2a of the limbs 2 are thicker than the portions 2b in the example shown, although this is not essential. The other part B is an extrusion of top hat section, with main dimensions such as to fit neatly and tightly into the space between the portions 2b of the limbs 2, with its web 4 against the web 1 of the first part A. Flanges 5 on the part B define, together with the flanges 3 on the part A, and the limbs 2 on the part A, channels that receive the vertical edges of panels, indicated in broken lines at C. These panels can be of known commercially available form. The parts A and B are secured together by vertically spaced screws (indicated diagrammatically at 6) passing through one web and engaging a tapped hole in the other. Alternatively bolts may be used. To hold the parts together temporarily during shipping, han dling and cutting to length, a strip of doublesided adhesive may be interposed between the two webs. It will be appreciated that, by virtue of the recess in the part A, the post can double as a wiring post, and also a switch post; indeed the width between the portions 2a may be made a standard width to receive an architrave switch. The recess is closed by a frictionally held push-in channel-section inserted bead D, which could be an aluminium alloy extrusion, or a black plastics extrusion, or any other material, as desired. The recess in the top hat section B can be closed by a similar bead D and this recess may also be used for wiring, for example where regulations call for telephone cables or low-voltage bell wires to be in a separate duct from mains cables. It will be understood that the post described can be used in conjunction with conventional horizontal head sections and bottom bars and indeed it may be interspersed with conventional simple on-piece H-section upright posts. Because the panels are removable, the posts according to the invention can be erected before the panels, if desired. The simplicity of construction and freedom afforded by the detachable two-part form ensure that labour costs in erection are kept to a minimum. CLAIMS

2. A post according to Claim 1 in which both the first and the second parts are aluminium alloy extrusions.

3. A post according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the depth of the cross-section of the second part is such that the 'top' or web of the top hat section lies substantially against the web of the H section of the first part when the parts are assembled together.

4. A post according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 in which the portions of the side limbs of the H on the opposite side of the web of the H from the laterally extending flanges of the first part are thicker than those portions of the side limbs between that web and those flanges.

5. A post according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 including a further part of constant cross-section adapted to fit into and close the exposed open side of the second part in the assembled post.

6. A post according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 including a further part of constant cross-section adapted to fit into and close the exposed side of the first part in the assembled post.

7. A multi-part structural post for use with demountabout partitioning panels, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.