The present invention relates to, on the one hand, a connecting system for constructing a vertical wall, which connecting system can cooperate with a wall panel provided with a stop edge, wherein the connecting system comprises at least a supporting profile to which a wall panel is attachable and which is provided with a duct-shaped space which extends along substantially the entire length of the supporting profile, wherein the duct-shaped space is delimited by a bottom wall and two mutually opposite side walls, and said system furthermore comprises a clamping profile by means of which a wall panel is attachable to the supporting profile, which clamping profile comprises a first part which is configured to engage with a stop edge of a wall panel which is fittable against the supporting profile, comprises a second part which adjoins the first part and is configured to bear against the first side wall, and comprises a resilient clamping body which adjoins the second part. On the other hand, the present invention relates to a demountable wall system which is suitable for dividing a space, comprising a number of vertical wall panels, a number of supporting profiles which extend between a ceiling and floor structure, and a top profile which is attached to the ceiling structure and/or a bottom profile which is attached to the floor structure.

Traditionally, profiles, being girders and supporting profiles (uprights) which are connected to each other in such a way that they form a frame, are used to construct inner walls made of prefabricated materials which extend vertically between the floor and ceiling surface. When constructing an upright inner wall, one or more girders are placed on the floor and one or more girders are placed against the ceiling and the girder(s) on the floor are connected to the girder(s) on the ceiling by means of the supporting profiles which are fitted vertically. These profiles which are being used are often U-shaped profiles which are made of metal.

Subsequently, wall panels (wall elements), such as plasterboards, multi-ply boards, MDF panels, etc. are fitted to the resultant frame in order to form an inner wall. They will be attached by means of nailing, gluing or by means of a screw or bolt connection. These inner walls may serve as a partition, but may also serve as a detachable wall. If desired, insulating material may be arranged between the wall panels in order to give the inner wall an insulating function. Despite the fact that the existing (U-shaped) profiles have a fixed width (standard approximately 50 mm), it is also possible to fit panels of different construction next to each other using such profiles, for example a plasterboard next to an MDF panel. In order to compensate for any differences in thickness of the various types of wall panels and thus to ensure that different kinds of juxtaposed panels form an even and smooth surface, wooden slats may be fitted vertically or filler blocks may be used which are fitted in the free space between the profile and the wall panel. However, this way of working is time-consuming and, in addition, requires additional material which is not always available. In addition, it is also difficult to fit and to remove the panels, for example in order to be able to adapt the wall system to the specific needs of the surroundings and wishes of the user.

There are already various ways of attaching wall panels, in particular tongue/groove panels, to or against a supporting structure, which often involve clamping. This technique is described inter alia in International patent publication WO 8022180 and German patent publication DE 2106990. However, the described solutions do not make it possible to compensate for differences in thickness between adjoining panels.

French patent publication FR 2 679 939 describes a connecting system for constructing a wall which comprises at least a supporting profile to which a wall panel is attachable and which is provided with a duct-shaped space which extends along substantially the entire length of the supporting profile. The duct-shaped space is delimited by a bottom wall and two mutually opposite side walls. The system described furthermore comprises a clamping profile by means of which a wall panel is attachable to the supporting profile using: a first part which is configured to engage in a groove provided in a wall panel which is fittable against the supporting profile, a second part which adjoins the first part and is configured to at least partly rest against the side edge of the wall panel which is fittable against the supporting profile, and a resilient clamping body which adjoins the second part and is configured to be click-fitted to a rib which is provided in the duct-shaped space. In order to be able to compensate for differences in thickness between adjoining panels, the panels are placed a certain distance apart so that a so-called shadow gap is formed which will hide any differences in size.

American patent publication US 4,094,114 describes a support structure for a modular wall system, comprising a fastening clip for attaching a panel to a ductshaped structure. The clip is made of spring steel and is provided with various fingers which are adapted to be pressed over the side walls of the duct-shaped structure. The fingers which make contact with the inner wall of the duct-shaped structure are provided with one or more projections which extend forwards. These projections form barbs which engage behind a collar which is provided on said inner wall when the clips and the wall panels to be attached are pressed in position.

In addition, numerous publications describe connecting systems which are suitable for constructing a ceiling system, in which the wall (ceiling) panels extend in a horizontal plane. Thus, European patent publication EP 0 730 069 Al describes a connecting system for constructing a ceiling wall having similar features to those described in the introduction of the first claim. However, the connecting systems which have been developed specifically for ceiling structures are not suitable for use in constructing (fitting) vertical wall panels, because this would result in an unstable system in which the panels cannot be fixed adequately.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a connecting system for constructing an inner wall composed of wall panels which makes it possible to compensate for any differences in size, in particular differences in thickness, between adjoining panels, and which can, in addition, be fitted and removed in a simple and quick manner. The connecting system according to the invention serves, in particular, in order to be able to adjust the depth, so that it is possible to ensure that adjacent panels extend in the same (visible) plane.

The object of the invention is achieved by providing a connecting system for constructing a vertical wall, which connecting system can cooperate with a wall panel provided with a stop edge, wherein the connecting system comprises at least a supporting profile to which a wall panel is attachable and which is provided with a duct-shaped space which extends along substantially the entire length of the supporting profile, wherein the duct-shaped space is delimited by a bottom wall and two mutually opposite side walls, and said system furthermore comprises a clamping profile by means of which a wall panel is attachable to the supporting profile, which clamping profile comprises a first part which is configured to engage with a stop edge of a wall panel which is fittable against the supporting profile, comprises a second part which adjoins the first part and is configured to rest at least partly against the first side wall, and comprises a resilient clamping body which adjoins the second part, wherein the clamping body is configured to engage in or with the second side wall of the duct-shaped space which is situated opposite the first side wall in order to resiliently tension the clamping profile in this space. Preferably, the clamping body is positioned entirely in said duct-shaped space during use.

Due to the use of the specifically designed clamping profile which is fittable in a duct-shaped space of a certain insertion depth, such a connecting system has the advantage that the clamping profile is depth-adjustable, as a result of which it is possible to fit the respective clamping profile at a greater or lesser depth in the ductshaped space, thus making it possible to compensate for differences in thickness (tolerance) between adjoining wall panels, so that the juxtaposed wall panels form an even and smooth surface. This is possible due to the fact that the clamping body can engage with the side wall of the duct-shaped space at different depths depending on the thickness of a wall panel to be secured. Preferably, the duct-shaped space has an insertion depth of at most 20 mm.

Preferably, the second part of the clamping profile has an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein a part of the inner surface forms a contact surface with a first side wall of the duct-shaped space during use.

In a possible preferred embodiment, the clamping profile, or at least the clamping body of the clamping profile, is made of metal, preferably steel. If this is the case, the strength of the metal will ensure that a part of the clamping body, preferably the end thereof, engages in a side wall of the duct-shaped space.

If the material selected for the clamping body is not sufficiently strong (sturdy), e.g. in the case of aluminium or plastic, one or both side walls of the duct-shaped space will, in a preferred embodiment of the connecting system according to the invention, comprise a number of adjacent grooves, each of which forms a recess which is engageable by the clamping body.

The connecting system according to the present invention is suitable, in particular, to cooperate with wall panels which use a tongue and groove connection to connect the panels to each other or to plasterboards. In the case of tongue/groove panels, a part of the tongue is used as a stop face, whereas in the case of plasterboards, the bevelled surface with which the longitudinal sides are provided will serve as a stop face.

In order to attach a wall panel, the clamping profile is fitted after a wall panel has been fitted against a supporting profile and in this case, the first part of the clamping profile will engage with the stop face of the respective panel and the clamping body will be introduced into the duct-shaped space together with a part of the second part of the clamping profile, so as to achieve a clamping fit.

In a preferred embodiment of the connecting system according to the invention, the angle formed between the first and second part is at least 90°. Preferably, the angle formed between the first and second part is between 90° and 150°.

In a more preferred embodiment of the connecting system according to the invention, the clamping profile comprises two or more clamping bodies, wherein each clamping body is configured as a clamping lip which is at an angle with respect to the second part. In this case, clamping lips may be provided on the front side or on the rear side of the second part of the clamping profile. The front and rear sides of the second part of the clamping profile may also be provided with one or more clamping lips.

According to a particular embodiment of the connecting system according to the invention, the clamping body is formed as a number of successive bent portions. The respective portions are preferably of a flat design. Depending on the positioning and the design of the clamping bodies, these will engage with the first and/or the second side wall of the duct-shaped space. In a more particular embodiment of the connecting system according to the invention, the second part of the clamping profile has an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein, in use, a part of the inner surface forms a contact surface with a first side wall of the duct-shaped space, and wherein the clamping body of the clamping profile comprises a first and second bent portion, wherein the first bent portion is at an angle with respect to said outer surface and the second bent portion is at an angle with respect to the first bent portion, and wherein the clamping body, in the attached state, engages in or with the second side wall which is situated opposite the first side wall at the location of the bending line between the first and second bent portion.

More particularly, the clamping body comprises a third bent portion which is at an angle with respect to the second bent portion, and wherein the clamping body, in the attached state, engages in or with the first side wall at the location of the bending line between the second and third bent portion.

In an alternative embodiment of the connecting system according to the invention, the clamping body has a free end which engages in or with the second side wall which is situated opposite the first side wall.

In an advantageous embodiment of the connecting system according to the invention, the clamping profile comprises at least three fastening lips which extend perpendicularly to the second part, wherein at least one of the fastening lips is arranged in a staggered manner in order to form a connecting surface between the lips for accommodating a wall panel. Preferably, said fastening lips extend in a plane, with a fastening lip being arranged in a staggered manner in a direction perpendicular to this plane. The fastening lip which is staggered, is preferably longer than the other fastening lips.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the connecting system according to the invention, the clamping profile furthermore comprises at least one connecting lip which extends in the same direction as the first part and which, in use, rests at least partly against the wall panel. The at least one connecting lip is preferably provided on the second part of the clamping profile. Due to the presence of the connecting lip, a holding space is formed between the connecting lip and the first part in which the wall panel is fittable. In practice, the clamping profile will first be attached to the wall panel by sliding the wall panel into the aforementioned space and subsequently attaching the clamping profile in the duct-shaped space.

In a more advantageous embodiment of the connecting system according to the invention, the clamping profile comprises at least one opening which is suitable for accommodating a tool by means of which the clamping profile and the supporting profile are detachable from each other. Said tool is preferably a screwdriver.

The clamping profile is preferably made of spring steel.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the connecting system according to the invention, the supporting profile comprises a T-shaped recess provided with a depressable pressing profile against which, in use, a wall panel can be pressed and which provides a resilient interruption. The pressing profile is preferably made of rubber. Said pressing profile will provide an acoustic bridge.

Another subject of the present invention relates to a demountable wall system suitable for dividing a space, comprising a number of vertical wall panels, a number of supporting profiles which extend between a ceiling and floor structure, and a top profile which is attached to the ceiling structure and/or a bottom profile which is attached to the floor structure, wherein the wall system comprises a connecting system according to the invention.

In the context of the present invention, the term wall panel is understood to mean a glass panel, a metal panel, a wooden panels, composite panels, plasterboards, fabric- covered acoustic panels, plastic panels, concrete panels, etc.

In order to further illustrate the features of the present invention and to indicate the additional advantages and particulars thereof, a more detailed description of the connecting system and the wall system according to the invention is given below. It will be clear that nothing in the following description may be interpreted as a limitation of the protection for the present invention as laid down in the claims.

In this description, reference numerals are used to refer to the attached drawing, in which: - Fig. 1: shows a cross section of a wall system according to the invention;

- Fig. 2: shows a detail view of the area A which is framed in Fig. 1;

- Fig. 3: shows a view which illustrates the connecting system;

- Fig. 4: shows a perspective view of a first possible embodiment of the clamping profile;

- Fig. 5: shows a cross section of a wall system according to the invention, in which tongue/groove wall panels are attached to a supporting profile by means of the clamping profile shown in Fig. 4;

- Fig. 6: shows a perspective view of a second possible embodiment of the clamping profile;

- Fig. 7: shows a perspective view of a third possible embodiment of the clamping profile;

- Fig. 8: shows a perspective view of a fourth possible embodiment of the clamping profile;

- Fig. 9: shows a cross section of a wall system according to the invention, in which tongue/groove wall panels are attached to a supporting profile by means of the clamping profile shown in Fig. 7;

- Fig. 10: shows a perspective view of a fifth possible embodiment of the clamping profile;

- Fig. 11 : shows a cross section of a wall system according to the invention, in which tongue/groove wall panels are attached to a supporting profile by means of the clamping profile shown in Fig. 10;

- Fig. 12: shows a perspective view of a sixth possible embodiment of the clamping profile;

- Fig. 13: shows a cross section of a wall system according to the invention, in which tongue/groove wall panels are attached to a supporting profile by means of the clamping profile shown in Fig. 12;

- Figs. 14 to 16: show, step by step, the method for forming a vertical upright dividing wall composed of wall panels which are connected to each other by means of a tongue and groove connection and in which the connecting system according to the invention is used, wherein, in Fig. 14, the clamping profile shown in Fig. 12 is fitted against a wall panel, Fig. 15 illustrates the fitting of the wall panel against a supporting profile, and Fig. 16 shows the fitting of an adjacent wall panel against the already fitted wall panel by means of a tongue and groove connection;

- Fig. 17: illustrates that it is possible to compensate for differences in size between panels by means of the connecting system according to the invention, by adjusting the positioning of the clamping profile in the duct-shaped space.

The connecting system according to the present invention has been developed specifically to be used with a demountable wall system which is used, for example, in order to divide floors of residential or commercial properties in an efficient and flexible manner into different spaces which are accessible to individuals, both for single and double walls.

The connecting system makes it possible to compensate for any differences in size, in particular differences in thickness, between adjoining panels, in particular with wall panels (1) provided with a stop edge (2). Wall panels (1) which are suitable are: glass panels, metal panels, wooden panels, composite panels, plasterboards, fabric- covered acoustic panels, plastic panels, concrete panels, and the like.

The connecting system according to the invention and as illustrated, inter alia, in Figs. 2 and 3 comprises at least a supporting profile (3) to which a wall panel (1) is attachable. The supporting profile (3) is preferably made of aluminium and is provided with a duct-shaped space (4) which extends along substantially the entire length of the supporting profile (3). Since the illustrated supporting profiles (3) are used with double-walled wall systems, both the front and rear sides of the supporting profile (3) are provided with the same duct-shaped space in order to be able to fit a panel to both the front and rear side of the supporting profile (3).

As can be seen in Fig. 2, the duct-shaped space (4) is delimited by a bottom wall (5) and two mutually opposite side walls (6, 7), in particular a first (6) and second side wall (7).

In order to attach wall panels (1) to the supporting profile, use is made of a clamping profile (8). Figs. 4, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 12 show a number of possible embodiments of a clamping profile. The various illustrated embodiments are described in more detail in the patent text below.

The clamping profile (8) is of a single-piece design and is preferably made of a suitable metal or plastic having a suitable thickness. The thickness of the clamping profile preferably varies between 0.2 mm and 4 mm. The thickness depends on the material selected. In case the clamping profile (8) is made of spring steel, this thickness is normally from 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm, with a clamping profile (8) made of aluminium, the clamping profile will have a thickness of 0.8 mm to 1.7 mm, and a clamping profile (8) made of plastic will have a thickness of 0.9 mm to 4 mm.

The clamping profile (8) comprises a first part (9) which is configured to engage on or with a stop edge (2) of a wall panel (1) which is fittable to the supporting profile (3), and a second part (10) which adjoins the first part (9) and is configured to, in use, rest against the first side wall (6) of the duct-shaped space (4). The first part (9) may be at right angles to the second part (10), but in most cases, the two parts (9, 10) will form an obtuse angle. Preferably, the angle between both parts is between 90° and 150°. In practice, the angle formed is determined by the gradient of the stop face of the wall panel (1) which is to be attached.

The clamping profile furthermore comprises a resilient clamping body (11) which adjoins the second part (10). This clamping body (11) is configured to engage in or with the second side wall (7) of the duct-shaped space (4) which is situated opposite the first side wall (6) in order to resiliently tension the clamping profile in this space. For improved grip, the side walls (6, 7) are provided with a series of grooves (12). In use, the clamping body (11) of the clamping profile (8) is accommodated completely in the duct-shaped space (4).

In one possible embodiment, the clamping body (11) is made up of a number of successive bent portions (14, 15, 16). The respective portions (14, 15, 16) are of a flat design. Thus, the clamping body (11) of the clamping profile (8) illustrated in Fig. 4 comprises a first (14) and second (15) bent portion, with the first bent portion (14) being at an acute angle with respect to the second part of the clamping profile (8). Fig. 5 shows the clamping profile (8) illustrated in Fig. 4 in the attached state. In this case, a part of the inner surface of the second part will form a contact surface with the first side wall (6) of the duct-shaped space in use, and the first bent portion (14) of the clamping body adjoins the outer surface of the second part. In the attached state, the clamping body will engage in or with the second side wall (7) at the location of the bending line between the first and second bent portion.

As is illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 or 8, the clamping body (11) may also comprise a third bent portion (16) which is at an angle with respect to the second bent portion (15). As Fig. 9 shows, clamping bodies which are formed in this way will, in the attached state, engage with both the first (6) and the second side wall. In particular at the location of the bending line between the first and second bent portion, the clamping body will engage in or with the second side wall (7) and, at the location of the bending line between the second and third bent portion, it will engage in or with the first side wall (6).

Fig. 12 illustrates a sixth possible embodiment of the clamping profile. In this embodiment, the free end (22) of the clamping body (11) is configured to engage in or with the second side wall (7) of the duct-shaped space (4). As Fig. 13 shows, clamping profiles (8) which are formed in this way will, in the attached state, partly rest against the first side wall (6) with their second part (10) and engage in or with the second side wall (7) with the free end (22) of the clamping body (11). Clamping profiles (8) which are formed in this way offer the advantage that the respective free end (22) is able to engage in or with the second side wall (7) at different positions, resulting in a ‘regulating effect, as it were, so that differences in thickness between adjoining panels can be compensated for. For example, by allowing the clamping profile, in particular the free end thereof, which is connected to the thicker panel to engage deeper in the duct-shaped space.

With the clamping profile (8) shown in Fig. 12, the first part of the clamping profile comprises at least three fastening lips (21) which extend perpendicularly to the second part (10), wherein at least one of the fastening lips (21) is arranged in a staggered manner in order to form a connecting surface between the lips for accommodating a wall panel (1). Said fastening lips (21) extend in a plane, with a fastening lip being arranged in a staggered manner in a direction perpendicular to this plane. The fastening lip (21) which is staggered, is preferably longer than the other fastening lips (21).

The clamping profile may furthermore be provided with one or more connecting lips (17). Such a connecting lip (17) can be seen in Figs. 6, 7, 8 or 10 and adjoins the second part of the clamping profile. Such a connecting lip extends in the same direction as the first part and will, in use, rest at least partly against the wall panel (1).

As is illustrated in Fig. 10, it is also possible to provide a clamping body whose second part (10) does not rest against the first side wall. In this case, the clamping body (11) is configured as a flat clamping lip (13) which is at an angle with respect to the second part (10). In this case, clamping lips (13) may be provided on the front side or on the rear side of the second part (10) of the clamping profile. It is also possible, as is the case in Fig. 10, for both the front and rear sides of the second part of the clamping profile to be provided with one or more clamping lips. In case both the front and rear sides of the second part (10) of the clamping profile (8) are provided with projecting clamping lips (13), the second part (10) of the clamping profile (8) extends approximately through approximately the centre of the ductshaped space (4) and the ends of the clamping lips (13) engage in a groove of the first (6) or second (7) side wall, as is illustrated in Fig. 11.

The fitting of wall panels (1) by means of the connecting system according to the invention is diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. 14 to 16. Fig. 14 shows the fitting of a clamping profile (8), as illustrated in Fig. 12, to the side edge of a wall panel (1). As is illustrated in Fig. 15, the wall panel is subsequently fitted to a supporting profile (3) by means of a clamping profile that the second part of the clamping profile rests against the first side wall (6) of the duct-shaped space (4) and the free end of the clamping body engages in a groove of the second side wall. Once the first wall panel has been fitted, a next wall panel (1) may be fitted to the wall panel which was installed earlier, as is illustrated in Fig. 16. In the illustrated Figs. 14 to 16, the panels are attached to each other by means of a tongue and groove connection, optionally with an additional click-fit connection.

The described clamping profile has the advantage that the clamping profile is depth- adjustable, as a result of which the respective clamping profile can be fitted more or less deep in the duct-shaped space, thus making it possible to compensate for differences in thickness (tolerance) between adjoining wall panels, so that the juxtaposed wall panels form an even and smooth surface. This is illustrated by Fig. 17, in which a panel with a thickness of 10 mm and a panel with a thickness of 13 mm are attached to a supporting profile using the same clamping profile. This is possible because the clamping body as illustrated in Fig. 17 is configured to engage in the side wall of the duct-shaped space at different depths.

The connecting system according to the present invention forms part of a demountable wall system which is suitable for dividing a space. Such a wall system comprises at least a vertical wall panel (1), two supporting profiles (3) (uprights) which extend between a ceiling and floor structure, a top profile which is attached to the ceiling structure and a bottom profile which is attached to the bottom structure.