HK1023166B - Building elements - Google Patents

Description

Building element

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the construction industry; more particularly, the invention relates to certain building components for buildings, particularly for building interior walls and partitions, although the invention is not limited to such applications.

Background

It has been common practice in the construction industry for many years to construct interior walls by attaching plasterboards to wooden or metal columns. In order to install plasterboard walls with an acceptable finish and to install joints between adjacent plasterboard panels, it is necessary to employ a skilled plasterboard "installer". This not only increases the cost, but also affects the timetable of the building; for maximum efficiency, a building should be prepared to the extent that all of the plasterboard walls can be installed at once, so that the installer takes very little time on site. A significant disadvantage of the high cost is that the work has to be done on site.

Once the plasterboard wall is installed, it must be sanded before painting. The sanding process results in a significant amount of gypsum dust, which affects all products and materials in the field. Furthermore, the cost of painting becomes a significant part of the cost of the building, as the plasterboard must be painted.

When it is desired to repair plasterboard walls, in order to achieve a professional level of finish, it is necessary to find the plasterboard installer and to tolerate the dust formed during the sanding process. In addition, the plasterboard walls need to be repainted after renovation.

Another problem associated with plasterboard walls is their removal. It is often necessary to demolish interior plaster walls in commercial buildings, for example when a tenant leaves the building. In renovation, it is often also necessary to remove the plasterboard walls. The plasterboard walls must be removed with considerable damage to the plasterboard to the extent that it cannot be reused. It is further noted that a large amount of gypsum dust is formed. It is believed that inhalation of gypsum dust may be a health hazard. Thus, in some jurisdictions, safety regulations require that adjacent areas be vacated when the plasterboard wall is removed. This may result in loss of lease fees of the homeowners and interruption of business and loss of profits of the leasers.

After the plasterboard is removed, a "negative" effect occurs, i.e. it has to be removed and disposed of. The plasterboard and its frame are economically of no recycling value. It is an object of the present invention to provide a construction system which avoids the use of plasterboards and thereby avoids the difficulties and costs associated with the construction and repair and demolition of plasterboards.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a construction system that allows the panels to be recycled.

It is a further object of the present invention, as one aspect of the invention, to provide a system that can be used with panels that have been finished in the factory, thereby eliminating the need for painting on site.

Damage often occurs when wallboard, plasterboard or other building panels are transported to a construction site. In most cases, the damage is minor and one side of such a plate is usable.

It is an object of the present invention in a further aspect thereof to provide a building component which allows either side to be directed outwardly when the panel is erected.

Occasionally, the siding can be damaged while it is in the building. It is then preferable to obtain a replacement plate, but it is more preferable to be able to remove the damaged plate and reverse it so that the damaged side is concealed in the wall cavity. The present invention in yet another of its aspects is to provide such capabilities.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a building system which can be integrated with furniture, particularly office furniture such as a work bench.

Disclosure of Invention

To this end, the invention provides a building element which is a column having first and second sets of slots, the slots in each set being adapted to receive cooperating means for mounting a panel or bracket to the column. Characterised in that the first and second sets of grooves are spaced apart in parallel.

The post preferably has three longitudinal slots, which are preferably arranged side by side. More preferably, the post has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and the first side and the second side are provided with a first set of three longitudinal sides and a second set of three longitudinal grooves, respectively.

The cross-sectional shape of each slot may be determined according to the mating device it is intended to receive. In a preferred embodiment, the cross-section is not "U" shaped, but rather the individual grooves are formed with a folded-back rim shape, even if the grooves have a "C" shaped cross-section; but it is particularly desirable that the bottom of the groove should be planar in form.

The post may be made of any suitable material; aluminium has proven to be acceptable, and aluminium has the additional advantage of being recyclable. But such a post could be made of other materials.

The aforesaid cooperating means for mounting the plate or bracket to the post is preferably a joining clip which is novel.

That is, the present invention also provides a building component of a joining clip for mounting a panel or bracket to a column of the present invention, which joining clip can be fitted to a groove of the column in an appropriate manner and can be attached to the panel or bracket in an appropriate manner.

In a preferred embodiment, the engagement clip is made of plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or other suitable material. Such a joining clip may have, for example, inelastically-resilient members formed by multiple molds, when desired.

Some preferred configurations of the engagement means are shown in the drawings, but the invention is not limited to such configurations.

As can be seen by way of example in the drawings, the joining clip may function to provide an excellent finish to the ends of the panels. The joining clip preferably extends for this purpose along the length of one side of each panel, and also provides maximum strength and stability to the assembled wall.

The manner in which this joining clip is attached to the panel may follow one of two construction methods as well as others. In a first method, the plate may be provided with a longitudinal slot in at least one of its edges (and preferably also in its edge opposite this first edge), in which case the clip may have a projection, in particular a saw-tooth projection, which is pushed into the longitudinal slot. This method is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the second method, the plate end is tapered or otherwise shaped to fit into a complementary groove formed in the joining clip. In both cases, the aim is to make the material of the engaging clip and the tight fit with the plate provide a stable device under normal conditions, while the engaging clip can be separated from the plate with a suitable force, for example by reversing the plate, when necessary.

It should be appreciated that the removal of the engagement clips from the plate, bracket or the like is not an essential part of the present invention. For example, in certain applications in wet environments, such a panel may be waterproof on only one side, thereby eliminating the need to remove the engagement clip from the panel.

In addition, the means for attaching the joining clip to the board may be by adhesive or by other suitable means.

New joints are designed for the plates around the inside or outside corners and also form part of the invention. The joint of the invention is intended for attaching a first panel to a second panel and has first means for connecting itself to the first panel and second means for connecting itself to the second panel and hinge means between the first and second connecting means, the hinge means comprising a resilient bridge.

The attachment means may be of any of the forms or arrangements described above in relation to the clip or may take any other suitable form or arrangement.

This joint, like the previously described joint clamp, also provides a clean and functional finish to the board end. The engagement members preferably extend along the length of the respective panels for this purpose, while still providing maximum strength and stability to the assembled wall.

As mentioned above, the slot in the post of the present invention may be used to receive a mating device to mount the bracket to the post rather than the plate. The bracket may in turn attach furniture or panels to a post or for other purposes.

The carrier used here preferably takes one of the two forms provided by the present invention.

To this end, the invention provides in one form a bracket for mounting to a building element, i.e. a column, of the invention, the bracket comprising a threaded shaft and a sleeve therefor, the sleeve having at one end co-operating means for insertion into a slot in the column, the slot having first and second ends, wherein the co-operating means is shaped to be inserted at any position between the first and second ends and to be adjustable to a position in which it cannot be withdrawn from the slot other than at the first or second end, and wherein the direction in which the shaft is screwed into the sleeve is towards the slot adapted to lock the bracket in the slot.

The grooves in the posts preferably take a "C" shaped cross-section, except for having a flat bottom. In this case, the engaging means preferably has a substantially rectangular cross section, with only one pair of opposite corners of the rectangle being cut off or one corner being rounded.

The long dimension of the rectangle complements the width of the slot bottom. The short dimension of the rectangle is such that the engagement means can be inserted into the slot between the upstanding arms and the flange forming the slot with the base. The engagement means is rotated through 90 deg., the long dimension of the rectangle striking the length of the slot and preventing the carriage from being withdrawn from the slot. The cut-away corners (or single rounded corners) of the rectangle allow for the above-described rotation. The bracket can then be locked in place by screwing the shaft in a direction towards the bottom of the groove.

In another form, the invention provides a bracket for mounting to a building element or column of the invention, the bracket comprising a shaft having first and second arms defining an angle therebetween, the first arm having at one end a cooperating means insertable into a slot in the column, wherein the cooperating means is shaped to be inserted anywhere between the first and second arms and to be adjustable to a position where it cannot be withdrawn from the slot except at the first or second arm, and wherein the first arm fits well into the slot.

For this type of carrier, the channel in the post preferably takes a "C" shaped cross-section, except for having a flat bottom. In this case, the engaging means preferably has a substantially rectangular cross-section, but the rectangle has a corner rounded off. The long dimension of the rectangle complements the width of the slot bottom. The short dimension of the rectangle allows the engagement means to be inserted into the slot, and the engagement means is rotated through 90 between the upstanding arms and the flange which forms the slot with the base, the long dimension of the rectangle intersecting the length of the slot to prevent withdrawal of the carrier from the slot. The rounded corner of the rectangle allows this rotation. Instead of rounding off one corner, a pair of opposite corners may be cut off, as is the case in the first embodiment of the bracket described above.

In order to enable the first arm to be substantially laid in the groove, the engaging means is preferably curved in the longitudinal direction as shown in the figure. The first arm may also have a rubber or other elastomeric seal to assist in the tight fit of the first arm within the groove.

The bracket of this embodiment locks into the slot when the first arm is substantially within the slot while a force is applied to the second arm in a direction away from the first arm.

It will be appreciated that furniture or the like components may be suspended from the column, whether using a bracket of any form of the invention.

The brackets of the present invention are significantly superior to prior art brackets in that they can be inserted into the post slots anywhere along the length of the slot, whereas prior art brackets must enter the slot at one end of the slot, which can present problems such as changing furniture. Further, with the carrier of the present invention, a new carrier can be inserted over or under an existing carrier without having to remove the existing carrier from the slot. Furthermore, the removal of any of the brackets is a simple operation compared to the prior art.

The invention also provides a ceiling track that can be used in conjunction with the building element of the invention. Thus, the present invention provides a rail adapted to hang from a horizontal surface, the rail having a gutter for receiving a joining clip connected to an end of a panel, and a channel for receiving a shield clip which can be used to conceal the end of the channel.

The horizontal surface may be, for example, a ceiling or a beam or a bracket. The track of the present invention may be suspended from a horizontal surface by any suitable means, such as screws, nails or other fastening means.

The attachment clip is preferably complementary to the gutter. The attachment clips can be attached to the board ends by any desired method, one example being an adhesive method.

The groove for receiving the shield clip is preferably shaped to provide a good friction fit with the clip.

The track of the present invention preferably has two gutters and two grooves for receiving such a shield clip.

Drawings

The invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view of a post of the present invention to which is secured a wall plate and one version of the joining clip of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional plan view of the post of the present invention illustrating a second version of the joining clip of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of the post of the present invention illustrating a third version of the joining clip of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows the joining clip of FIG. 3 in greater detail;

FIG. 5 illustrates a fourth version of the splice clip of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional plan view of the anastomosis clip of FIG. 5, in which the post of the present invention is incorporated (in slightly modified form);

FIG. 7 illustrates a fifth version of a joining clip of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional plan view of a post (in accordance with FIG. 6) of the present invention incorporating the engaging clip of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates a sixth version of the joining clip of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates, in cross-sectional plan view, the post of FIG. 6 in combination with the engagement clip of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows the lid seal in detail;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional plan view of the post of FIG. 6, illustrating the use of the splice clip of FIG. 7 and a seventh version of the splice clip of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional plan view of the post of FIG. 6 illustrating the application of the joining clip of FIG. 7, and illustrating how the gap between the plates is processed;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional plan view of the post of FIG. 6 illustrating the application of the joining clip of FIG. 7, while illustrating a different treatment of the gap between the plates;

FIG. 15 shows the joining of the wall panel to the glazing panel by extrusion of a suitable profile trim, wherein the joining clip is similar to that of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 15, but with the joining clip of FIG. 2;

FIG. 17 again illustrates that the wall panels can be joined to the doors with suitable profile trim;

FIG. 18 shows in cross-section an assembly of a post and joining clip at a corner of the present invention, including a glazing;

FIG. 19 shows in cross-section the post and clip-on wall end assembly of the present invention, including a glass window;

FIG. 20 illustrates an assembly including a door jamb;

FIG. 21 is a vertical sectional view above a door showing how the track of the present invention can be used as a lintel;

FIG. 22 illustrates one embodiment of a bonding element of the present invention;

FIG. 23 illustrates, in cross-sectional plan view, joining of plates around outer corners by the joint of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 illustrates a second embodiment of a joint of the present invention;

FIG. 25 illustrates, in cross-sectional plan view, the joint of FIG. 24 joining plates around outer corners;

FIG. 26 illustrates in vertical section the track for a pegboard of the present invention with shield clips at the top and bottom ends of the board;

FIG. 27 is a view similar to FIG. 26, but of a shield clip on the bottom of the plate;

FIG. 28 is a side view of one form of the bracket of the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a plan view of the bracket of FIG. 28 taken in direction A;

FIG. 30 shows a plan view of the bracket of FIG. 28 in direction B as it is initially inserted into a slot on a post of the present invention;

FIG. 31 shows a plan view of the bracket of FIG. 28 locked into a slot on a post of the present invention;

FIG. 32 is a side view of a second form of the bracket of the present invention;

FIG. 33 is an end view of the bracket of FIG. 32 in direction C;

FIG. 34 is a top view of the head of the carriage of FIG. 32; while

Figure 35 illustrates the bracket of figure 32 locked into the slot on the post of the present invention.

Detailed Description

In the above figures, and in particular in figures 1 to 3, the column 10 has two sets of three identical grooves 12, each of which has a "C" shaped cross-section but with a flat bottom 13. The groove 12 is shaped such that the mating means 14 and resilient arms 14a and 14b (see figure 4) on the joining clip 16 form a hermetic seal when pushed into the groove 12.

In fig. 1, the engagement clip 16 is attached to the plate 18 by adhesive or other suitable means. In fig. 2, however, the clip 16 is attached to the plate 18 by pushing the protrusion 20 into the slot 22 in the plate 18. The extension of the clip 16 closes the gap between the two plates 18. The extension 24 may be a softer material than the rest of the clip 16.

A post 30 (see, e.g., fig. 3) on the clip 16 is used to separate the plate 18 from the post 10.

In fig. 5 and 6, the engagement clip 116 has, in addition to the projection 20 and the extension 28, engagement means 15 with angled arm portions 15a and 15b designed to be clipped into the slot 12, as shown in fig. 6.

The joining clip 216 in fig. 7 and 8 is similar to the clip 16 in fig. 1 in that it is attached to the plate 18 by adhesive along the surface 17. The clip 216 of figure 7 has the same engagement means 15 as 116 of figure 5.

The joining clip of fig. 9 and 10 is particularly useful for creating a finished appearance to the two plates 18 being terminated and can further enhance stability by the extensions 19. The fitting means 15 are the same as those shown in fig. 5 and 7.

Fig. 11 and 12 show the seal 21 with extension 25 which, together with the extension of clip 116 (see fig. 12), seals the gap between plate 18 and extrusion 32. Further, the seal 21 fits into the gap 31 of the ornamental extrusion 32.

Figure 13 details how the bottom of the central trough 12 can be painted; the bottom 13 can be seen between the two plates 18 and its paint color can be tuned to conform to or contrast with the plates 18.

FIG. 14 illustrates the insertion of a mold into the gap between the plates 18;

fig. 15 and 16 show decorative extrusion 32 neatly terminating the wall system and providing a securing mechanism for glazing 34.

Fig. 17 shows a door 36 in combination with the wall system of the invention, comprising an extrusion 38 carrying a groove 40 for a felt or other insulating tape (not shown).

In fig. 18, plate 18 and end plate 44 form the wall end. As can be seen from this figure, the clips 216 are staggered relative to each other; this demonstrates the versatility of the column of the present invention.

Figure 19 shows only one arrangement of wall ends and glazing 34.

Fig. 20 illustrates how a door 36 can be mounted between two walls using the system of the present invention. Felt strip 62 is shown in groove 40 of extrusion 38.

Fig. 21 illustrates how this same extrusion 38 can be used to provide support for a felt or rubber strip 62 in the slot 40 at the top of the door 36. Rails 60 are attached to ceiling 61 and secure extrusions 38 and provide mounting points for shield clips 64. Each shield clip 64 has an arm 58 that can be push-fit into the groove 57 of the track 60.

In fig. 22 and 23, the engagement member 42 has a protrusion 20 that can fit into a groove 22 of the plate 18. The engagement members 42 enable the panels 18 to form exterior corners that enable the faces 43 and 44 to provide a neat finished appearance.

Hinge 46 is connected to faces 43. Since the hinge is elastic, it allows the plate 18 to assume configurations other than 90. This can be used to form normal corners and unusual angles; even though the usual corners are rarely exactly 90 °, the joint of the invention can accommodate this discrepancy.

In fig. 24 and 25, the engagement member 50 has a protrusion 20 that fits into a groove or slot 22 of the plate 18, and the two plates 18 may form the outer corner. Hinge 52 connects two faces 53. In the formed outer corner, the hinge 52 provides a neat and finished appearance.

The rail 60 shown in figure 26 is the same as that of figure 21 but in this case the plate 18 is supported by the rail 60 by the projections 63 engaging in the gutter 59. The top end 26 of the plate 18 is covered by a shield clip 64 with the arms 58 push-fit into the slots 57.

The lower end of the plate 18 is also covered by a shield clip 64, the arms 58 of which are push-fitted into the slots 56 of the track 51. The track 51 is attached to the bottom surface 55.

The top arrangement of fig. 27 is the same as that of fig. 26, but the arrangement at the lower end 27 of the plate 18 is different, i.e. instead of the shield clips 64, peripheral extensions are attached to the plate 18, either by gluing on the surface 66 or screwing through the notches 67.

Referring again to fig. 25 to 31, the carrier 70 is made of metal or other suitable material or combination of materials and has a shaft 71 inserted into a sleeve 72. The shaft 71 is threaded throughout its length or a lower length contained within a sleeve 72. The screw head 74 of the shaft 71 has a slot 75 therein for receiving the blade of a screwdriver or other suitable tool.

The sleeve 72 has an engagement means 73 at one end and a flange 76 at the other end. As shown in fig. 29, the engagement means 73 is shaped like a rectangle in end view, except that a pair of opposing corners are cut away as shown at 77 and 78. The cross-sectional shape of the flange 76 is the same as that of the engaging means 73.

The engagement means 73 can be inserted horizontally into the slot 12 of the post 10 as shown in figure 30 and then rotated through 90 deg. to remain in the slot 12 as shown in figure 31. Screwing the shaft 71 toward the bottom 13 of the slot 12 (with the blade inserted into the slot 75) locks the bracket 70 within the slot 12. Furniture or other components may be attached to the shaft 71 as desired.

The cross-sectional shape of the flange 76 is similar to that of the engagement means 73 and thus determines the orientation of the engagement means within the slot 12.

Referring now to fig. 32 to 35, the metal bracket 80 has two arms 81 and 82 forming a right angle 83 therebetween. The arm 81 has engagement means 84. The arm 82 has a threaded extension 85 for attachment of furniture or other building components as desired.

A seal 86 mounted on the arm 81 helps to ensure a snug fit of the arm 81 within the slot 12 (see figure 35).

The engagement means 84 is generally rectangular with one corner rounded at 87. The purpose of the rounding is to enable the engagement means 84 to be inserted into the slot 12 of the post 10 in a manner similar to the engagement means 73 of the bracket 70, and then by virtue of this rounded corner 87 to be turned horizontally through 90 deg. to capture the bracket 80 in the slot 12. The bracket 80 is then rotated vertically through 90 again, causing the arm 81 to be substantially within the slot 12 and the sealing ring 86 to be used to snap the arm 81 into this position.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that loading the arm 82 enhances the degree of locking of the bracket 80 within the slot 12.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the mating means in the embodiments shown in some of the figures (e.g., fig. 1-3) has the greatest advantage of being able to hermetically seal the panel 18 over its entire length. This means that the system of the present invention provides significant insulation against sound transmission and against heat and cold conduction. The present invention also presents significant advantages when it comes to wet areas such as bathrooms.

The building components, brackets and rails of the present invention clearly enable significant improvements in the construction industry technology. The examples described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. A building element which is a column having first and second sets of channels, the channels in each set being adapted to receive cooperating means for mounting a panel or bracket to the column, characterised in that the first and second sets of channels are spaced apart in parallel.

2. The building element as claimed in claim 1, wherein each set of grooves has three longitudinal grooves.

3. The building element as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first set of channels is separated from the second set of channels by a single web.

4. The building element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each channel has a "C" shaped cross-section.

5. The building element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the column is made of aluminium.