CA2440759A1 - Imt full-height modular partition system - Google Patents

Abstract

Full-Height Modular Systems (known also as Floor-to-ceiling, Movable Partition (Wall), Demountable Walls, etc...) are used to separate an interior space all the way between a finished floor to a finished ceiling of that space.
Modular Systems are designed to allow installing and reinstalling of them in various degrees of flexibility and reusability of their components.
In the IMT Full-Height Modular Systems presented herein the invention is the manner in which all the 'components' of the system attach to the structural post is identical (into an identical rectangular hole), and are independent of each other.
The 'components' mentioned here include:
.cndot. Structural cross members.
.cndot. All partition covers (claddings):
.cndot. Solid covers.
.cndot. Glazed covers.
.cndot. Utility covers (such as whiteboards, etc...) .cndot. All components to be mounted onto the partition:
.cndot. Worksurfaces.
.cndot. Shelves.
.cndot. Signage.
.cndot. Storage, etc...
The fact that all the above 'component' attach to the structural post in an identical manner allows them to be positioned and/or repositioned anywhere on the system with no limitations, with no hardware reconfigurations, regardless where they are placed on the system and regardless of what is around them (left, right, above, below) or even on the other face (side) of the partition.

Description

IMT - Israel Modular Technologies Canadian Patent Application Full-Height Modular Partition System (Floor-to-Ceiling) o3-September-2o03 IMT - Israel Modular Technologies Tel: +972-4-6100585 19 Leshem St., Cesariya 38900 Israel Fax: +972-4-6100586 03-September-2003 To: Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), Place du Portage I
50 Vctoria Street, Room C-229 Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0C9 Re: Pa~e_nt Application - Full-Heioi~:.,'~odular ~arfition Svstem (Floor-to-Ceifinq~
Dear Lady / Sir, In this review we wish to submit the details of our Patent Application.
This system was submitted for Patent in Israel on 09-September-2002, and was granted the application number 151652 by the Israel Patent Bureau (Israeli Patent Application Form Enclosed for your reference).
The Product for which this Application is submitted is a Full-Height Modular Partition System (Floor-to-Ceiling), that are used to separate rooms (from floor to ceiling), and are able to be reconfigured & adjusted as requested.
This review indudes:
~ A general description of the product (system) and the innovation in it.
~ A pair of genera( desuiptive drawings (inner and outer) of a typical system build-up in its complete form.
~ A pair of general descriptive drawings (inner and outer) of a typical system build-up in an "exploded-view" that reveals the inner structure and component nature of the system.
~ Four detail drawings that describe in close-up the nature of the connection of the systems components to each other.
Also included are the relevant application forms as we were instructed to submit by your personnel over the phone.
Always at your service, Eduard Borochov General Manager IMT - Israel Modular Technologies E-mail: idoC~i-m-t.com Web: www.i-m-t.com IMT - Israel Modular Technologies Pa a 1 Of 5 19 Leshem St, Ge~ariya 3890U Israel g Tel: +972-4-6100585, Fax: +972-4-6100586 Patent AQplication - Full-Height Modular Partition System yRoor-to-Ceiling) Introduction:
The Product for which this Application is submitted is a Full-Height Modular Partition System (Floor-to-Ceiling), that are used to separate rooms (from floor to ceiling).
The nature of the product as a Modular Partition System is that it allows reoccurring assembly & dismantling of alt of its components and by that contribute to one of this products greatest virtues - flexibility.
The system is based on a "Structure" (created by various steels components) and "Claddings" (of various types) that cover the structure on both sides, reinforce it and provide the system with it's esthetic and functional finish.
The structure consists of:
~ Floor Channels ~l~ - including fastening details to different floor types.
~ Ceiling Channels ~Z~ - including fastening details to different ceiling types.
~ Posts~3~ - that include on either side a levelling assembly ~'°~ to altaw leveling to the floor & ceiling channels t~"~'~' ''mils in dra~~ °uTr Moe~r - ~ i~
o~raw~.
~ Cross Members ~4~.
The system's claddings include:
~ Doors t5} - of various types.
~ Glazed Gaddings ~6~ - of two types.
~ Solid Claddings ~' & 8~ - in hard finishes such as laminate or veneer ~~ or in upholstered fabric finish ~~.
~ Whiteboard Cladding ~"°t~'°'""~
~ CorkTack6oard Cladding t"°'~'°""'~
~ Upholstered Tackboarct Cladding t"°t shown).
~ Slatboard Cladding t"°tshowny ~ Comer & End Claddings t'3}:
~ And more...
Further more there are add-on components that may be considered part of the system:
~ Cantilevers & Brackets ~'Zy - which allow mounting of third party furniture ~12>
(worksurfaces, shelves, storage, etc.,.).
~ Coat Hooks ~"°' 5''°'""~.
~ SIgnS tr'°tstww").
~ Acoustic Batting {°°' ~'°w"? _ used to enhance the acoustic properties of t:he partition.
IMT - Israel Modular Technologies Page 2 Of 5 19 Leshem St, Cesariya 38900 ls~el Tel: 1972-4-6100585, Fax: 1972-4-6100586 IMT - Israel Modular Technologies Patent Application - Full-Height Modular Partition system (Floor-tQ;Ceilingy Description of S~rstem Build-Ua:
The innovation of the IMT Full-Height Modular Partition System (Floor-to-Ceiling) is the method in which the structure and the claddings are put together as well as the virtues created by this method. Here we wilt describe the manner in which ail the components of the system correspond with each other.
1. Floor Channels ~!? & Ceiling Channels ~~ create the systems "path". They define the space to be occupied by the partition system while also bridging between the partition system and the existing building infrastructure (floors & ceilings).
All connections to the building infrastructure (floors & ceilings) are done without drifting, or creation of physical damage, this allows reconfiguration to be seamless.

2. the Posts ~3~ are designed so that they can perform the following tasks:
~ Act as vertical constructive components of the system.
~ Support all the loads in the system ~ Allow the passage of efectrirs, data, communication and all other type of provisions (such as cabling, pluming, etc...? in the t~ ~3~ or through them.
~ Allow the connection of the horizontal Cross Members ~4~ at any given height (according to the preset modulation), at any side, regardless of the Cross Member ~4y position on the other side. This is to allow the hook-on of the various cladding types ~S-9~ in different height positions as the design requires.
The Cross Members t4~ act simultaneously as the stabilizing part of the structure, allowing the Posts ~} to be structurally connected to each other and act as one structure. Please note that the Cross Members ~4y may be placed at any height and indifferent of the Cross Member ~4f position on the other side.
~ Bridge any irregularities in levelling of the building infrastructure (floor &
ceiling) by means of levelling the Posts ~3~ on either end (top & bottom) with the use of the levelling assembly X10?.
~ Allow the connection of brackets & cantilevers ~lz~, signs ~"°'S"°""°3, etc... to the Post X33 thus allowing the mounting of third party furniture (such as worksurfaces tlla) to the Partition.

3. The Cross Members ~'a are built in such a way that they may be placed anywhere on the Posts ~3~ (as per preset modulation) and they act as the space keeper &
stabilizing part of the structure.
~ The Cross Member {4~ is Universal to all the partition, regardless of the Cladding type ~S 9~
~ The Cross Member ~4~ serve also the acoustic issue. they are always (aced in the position of the horizontal gap between two adjoining Claddings t~~ 9~, In this position, they contribute to btodcing sound from passing from one side of the partition to the other side.
IMT - Israel Modular Technologies Page 3 Of S
19 Leshem St, Cesaciya 38900 Israel Tel: +972-4-6!00585, Fax: +972-4-6100586 4. The system has a wide range of Claddings is - 9y: Doors ~5~, Glazed Claddings ts~, hard finished Solid Claddings ~'}, Upholstered Solid Cladding t8}, Utility Claddings {not shown) (such as Whiteboard, Cork Tackboard, Upholstered Taekboard &
Slatboard) & Door Frames ~9~.
~ All face-mounted Claddings t6 - $}. Connect to the Post {33 in the exact same manner {~"'~'~' HIS in drawing "IMT Modular Partitions - Claddings on Post Detail's _ by the use of ~;~;~;sai Brackets that are designed to tit into the rectangular t;nies '~- in the Post ~3~.
~ The Universal Brackets ~'a~ are designed so that every Cladding may be placed at any position on the partition (as per Post t3a modulation).
~ The same bracket is used for Solid Cladding ~'&al, Glazed Cladding ~6~ and Utility Cladding ~n°'s"°'"n~.
~ Door Frames ~9~ & Partition Ends ~13~ are connected in a different manner directly onto the Posts ~3}.

5. The system includes complete solutions for Corners ~13~ of all typical angle configurations:
~ 90° Comers - 2-Way 90°, 3-Way 90° & 4-Way 90°.
~ I20° Corners - 2-Way 120° & 3-Way i20°.
~ i35° Comers - 2-Way i35° & 3-Way I35° (i35° +
I35° + 90°).
IMT - Israel Modular Technologies Page 4 Of 5 19 Leshem St, Cesariya 38900 Israel Tel: +972-4-6100585, Fax: +972-4-6100586 Patent Annlication - Full-Height Modular Partition Svstem ~~Floor-to-Ceiling) Description of Innovation:
There are several parallel (coexisting) innovations in the system:
1. The methe~ of the partition in '~..r~°~h °»h side is autonomic in the positioning of Claddings t5-9', while all components are universal.
2. The "Alignment Element" of the whole system is the simple repetitive rectangular hole t14~ in the Post's t3a small face (on both inner & outer faces).
It's function is to connect off Structure, Cladding & Add-On components to one position which needs not to be aligned:
~ Cross Members t4' on all sides - front, back, left & right t~'~' details in drawing ~IMT
Macular Pa ~tic,~s - Cla5s Members on Post x~z~~) ~ Universal Brackets °a~ to connect~all face-mounted Claddings tfi' 8~ -front, back, left & right t~'rn,er akin ~r, ara~~ wthrr n~a~ar ~rae«>s - cry aaae~~~
ors rost o~ii~~
~ 8raeke~ts, Signs & Cantilevers ~'~~ ~ connect all third early Furniture ts"a' as m front, back, left & right t~rn,~r a~x ~n ara~~ ~n~r Moa~ar ~ao~s - c~il~ o~;
aosc ova~~.
3. All canponent of the system are "Handles" meaning there are no left or' right components, they are all interchangeable and can serve at any position and/or situation within the system.
IMT - Israel Modular Technologies Page 5 Of 5 19 leshem St, Cesariya 38900 Israel Tel: +972-6100585; Fax: +972~f-6100586

Claims (4)

1. The method of the partition in which each side is autonomous in the positioning of cross members, claddings and other "hang-on" components (worksurfaces, shelves, etc...), while all components are universal.

2. The "Alignment Element" of the whole system is the simple repetitive rectangular hole in the post's narrow face (on both inner & outer faces), of which the function is to connect all structure components, cladding (solid, glazed, etc...), utilities (white boards, etc...) & add-on components (worksurfaces, shelves, etc...) to the structure.

3. All the components that attach to the structure may be attached anywhere -regardless of what is around them (left, right, above, below) or even on the other face (side) of the partition - while no hardware, tooling or other adjustments are required.

4. The post is designed so that even in a partition area to be fully glazed (all around the post) the post will allow to lay-in cable management (electrics, data, communication, etc...) vertically through it (and nut just feed cable through it).