DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention is generally applicable to the civil engineering and industrial building sector, and it particularly relates to a system for partitioning of spaces.

Background of the invention

Systems suitable for the partition of so-called "open spaces" are known. Such systems include a support structure which includes one or more longitudinal profiles horizontally mounted on the ceiling and/or floor for one or more sheet-like partition elements, for example glass or plasterboard.

Apparently, in order to minimize the aesthetic impact the profiles must have particularly low bulkiness, in particular low thickness. To this end, the profile, or part thereof, is concealably inserted in a suitable seat of a floor, ceiling or false ceiling.

Generally, an upper longitudinal profile operatively connected with the ceiling and a lower longitudinal profile operatively connected to the floor are provided.

The sheet-like element is subsequently supported on such profiles and fixed thereto by suitable fixing elements. I n particular, the edges of the sheet-like element remain interposed between the respective profiles and the blocking element so as to constrain the same sheet-like element with the supporting structure, thus defining a partition wall.

Such systems have the drawback to show at sight the whole sheet-like element or part thereof once mounted on the support structure.

In attempting to overcome such disadvantages, systems wherein the sheet-like element is glued to the fixing element were developed.

While allowing a completely "clean" partition wall, i.e. without parts at sight, the bonding of the sheet-like element to the fixing element does not guarantee an optimal fixation over time.

Patent application GB2520925 discloses a system for build profiles in a seat formed along the edges of the sheet-like element so as they are not at sight.

One disadvantage of such systems is that the installation and mounting process thereof is particularly difficult.

This feature is particularly disadvantageous in case of sheet-like elements of large size. Indeed in this case the known systems are unsafe for the operator during mounting operations and further have a greater chance of breaking of the same sheet-like element.

Furthermore, such systems require the presence of different operators during the mounting operations with an obvious increase in term of costs.

A further disadvantage of this known system is that in the case of approaching or removal between floor and ceiling, for example due to structural vibrations, the sheet-like element is compressed on the edges, or the mechanical grip between the sheet-like element and the connection profile it weakens.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to at least partially overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, providing a system for the efficient partitioning of spaces.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for the partition of spaces that allows a simple and rapid mounting of its different parts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for the partition of spaces that allows the safe mounting of its different parts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for the partition of spaces that allows a minimum use of manpower.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for the partition of spaces that allows to adapt to different size of the spaces.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for the partition of spaces that allows the compensation of small displacement of the sheet-like element during the mounting and/or once mounted.

Such objects, as well as others that will appear more clearly hereinafter, are fulfilled by a system for the partition of spaces having one or more of the features herein described, shown and/or claimed.

Therefore, a system for the partition of spaces that includes a ceiling may be provided, the system comprising:

at least one partition wall for the partition of spaces comprising at least one sheet-like element, the latter having at least one upper peripheral edge and a pair of outer faces;

means for connecting said at least one sheet-like shaped element to the ceiling; wherein said connecting means comprise at least one male or female element, said at least one upper peripheral edge of said at least one sheet-like element including a corresponding at least one male or female element;

wherein said connecting means further comprise at least one elastomeric element interposed between said at least one female and male element, said at least one male and female element and said at least one elastomeric element being reciprocally designed and/or configured so that the latter upon the coupling of the former deforms to frictionally act against the same at least one male and female element, so as to prevent the falling down of the at least one sheet-like element from the said connecting means by gravity without the need for further supports in the lower part thereof.

Dependent claims 2 to 23 describe advantageous embodiments of the above- mentioned system.

On the other hand, regardless of the above-mentioned system, a system for the partition of spaces that includes a ceiling by at least one partition wall comprising at least one sheet-like element may be provided, the system comprising:

at least one longitudinal supporting profile defining an axis having a first portion integrally coupleable with the ceiling and a second portion integrally coupleable with the at least one sheet-like element, said first portion and said second portion being mutually slidable between a distal position and a proximal position;

elastic counteracting means acting on said first and said second portions to keep the latter in an operative position interposed between said distal and proximal positions.

Dependent claims 25 to 32 describe advantageous embodiments of such system.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will become more evident by reading the detailed description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the partition system 1 shown by way of non-limiting example with the help of the annexed drawing, wherein:

FIGs. 1 and 2 are a sectional view of respectively a first and a second example of a partition system 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlargement view of some details of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is an enlargement view of some details of a unitary assembly 100; FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a blocking element 80;

FIGs. 6A, 6B and 6C are a schematic side view of the system 1 comprising elastic counteracting means 60 in different operative phases;

FIGs. 7 A, 7B and 7C are a schematic side view of the system 1 comprising adjustment means 50 in different operative phases;

FIGs. 8 and 9 are a lateral and axonometric view of an exploded view of some details of the system 1.

Detailed description of some preferred embodiments

Referring to the above mentioned figures, a system 1 for the partition of a spaces A is described by at least one partition wall 10 which may include at least one sheet-like element 11. For example, a pair of sheet-like elements 11 may be provided as shown in FIG. 1, or only one sheet-like element 11 may be provided as shown in Fig. 2.

In the present description a sheet-like element 11 consisting of a glass sheet is described. Such an example is not to be considered limiting because the partition wall 10 may also be a blind wall and/or an acoustic insulation wall. I n this case, the sheet 11 for example may be of plasterboard or sound-absorbent material. In any case, the sheet 11 may have at least one peripheral edge 12 and a pair of outer faces 13, 14.

I n a known way, the space A may include a ceiling C and a floor. More specifically, the system 1 may comprise at least one supporting profile 20 couplable to the ceiling C.

Although a supporting profile 20 coupled to the ceiling C is described in the following text, it will be understood that such supporting profile 20 may be in any case coupled to a false ceiling and/or to a beam without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The supporting profile 20 may have a substantially longitudinal development to define an axis X and may present a portion 30 coupled to the ceiling C and a portion 40 coupled to the sheet 11.

Although not shown in the annexed drawings as known per se, the system 1 may comprise a lower longitudinal profile placed in correspondence of the supporting profile 20 which may be coupled with the floor or to a raised floor and with the sheet 11.

I n any case, once the system 1 is mounted in the space A to be partitioned, the sheetlike 11 may be coupled with the portion 40 to remain interposed between the supporting profile 20 and the lower supporting profile and/or the floor.

According to one aspect of the invention, the portion 30 and the portion 40 may be mutually slidable between a position wherein the reciprocal distance d thereof is maximum and a position wherein the reciprocal distance d thereof is minimal.

In particular, the portion 30 may comprise a pair of side walls 34, 35 and a horizontal wall 36 interposed therebetween. On the other hand, the portion 40 may comprise a pair of respective side walls 44, 45 and a horizontal wall 46 interposed therebetween and facing the horizontal wall 36.

As particularly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the side walls 34, 35 and the side walls 44, 45 of the portion 40 may be configured to reciprocally slide so as to remain reciprocally facing to each other during the sliding.

Once the system 1 is mounted, the portions 30, 40 may have a predetermined reciprocal distance d between the above maximum and minimum distance, thus defining an operative position of the portions 30, 40.

Suitably, the system 1 may comprise adjusting means 50 acting on the portions 30, 40 to vary such predetermined reciprocal distance d, i.e. to vary such operative position.

For example, the adjusting means 50 may allow a variation of the distance d between the portions 30, 40 of about 10 - 20 mm, preferably about 15 mm.

In this way, the system 1 may be adapted to different types of spaces A.

For example, figures 7A, 7B and 7C show the system 1 wherein the portions 30, 40 are in different operative positions.

In particular, the adjusting means 50 may comprise a female thread element 51 integral with the portion 30 of the supporting profile 20 and a screw element 52 operatively connected with the portion 40 thereof so that the screwing/unscrewing of the screw 52 and the female thread element 51 may correspond to the mutual approach/removal of the portions 30, 40.

More specifically, the portion 30 of the supporting profile 20 may include a tubular appendix 31 extending toward the portion 40, which may include a threaded inner surface defining the female thread element 51.

The screw 52 may be configured to be operated by an operator in a per se known manner, for example by an Allen key or a screwdriver. In particular, the same screw 52 may be arranged so as to be accessible to the operator even once the supporting profile 20 is mounted.

In other words, once mounted the supporting profile 20 in the space A, the operator may act on the screw 52 to vary the predetermined distance d so as the portion 40 is at an optimal distance from the ceiling C thereby defining the operative position.

This optimum distance may be chosen by the operator depending on the size of the sheet 11 and/or on the desired aesthetic appeal.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, once the operative position of the portions 30, 40 is defined (Figs. 7A and 6B), the portions 30, 40 may still be reciprocally slidable between a distal position (Fig. 6A) and proximal position (Fig. 6C).

In this way, advantageously, due to small reciprocal displacements of the sheet 11 and/or the longitudinal profile 20 and/or the ceiling C and/or the floor, the portions 30, 40 may telescopically slide so as to vary the reciprocal distance d thereof in such a way to preserve the integrity of the system 1 and in particular of the sheet 11. More specifically, the sheet 11 subjected to excessive tangential loads with the risk of damage or breakage of the sheet may be avoid.

For example, the variation of the distance between the portions 30, 40 in the distal and proximal positions may be about 20mm.

Such small displacement may be caused by mounting and maintenance operations, or by vibrations due to earthquakes or works in the proximity of the space A.

Furthermore, the partition walls 10 may have a development along the axis X within the space A in the order of several meters. It is known that the ceilings C and/or the sheets 11 have variations in size along their development of a few millimetres.

The portions 30, 40 may slide between the distal and proximal positions to compensate such small displacements both in case they are of a durable type, e.g. due to the above described size variations, and in case they are of a temporary or instantaneous type, e.g. due to induced vibrations.

Suitably, elastic counteracting means 60 may be provided acting on the portions 30, 40 of the supporting profile 20 to maintain the portions 30, 40 in the operative position interposed between the distal and proximal positions.

Furthermore, the elastic counteracting means 60 may promote the return of the portions 30, 40 to the operative position when the vibration stops. Such features may be particularly advantageous in the case of small short-term multi-displacements, such as during earthquakes.

Suitably, as particularly explained below, the adjusting means 50 and the elastic counteracting means 60 may be configured so as to synergistically operate in order to improve the mutual excursion of the portions 30, 40 and/or to minimize the bulkiness.

In this way, the system 1 may be particularly safe. In particular, the decoupling from the portion 40 of the sheet 11 and the falling thereof due to small displacements during the mounting and/or during an earthquake can be avoided, thus avoiding the risk of hurting the operator and/or users of the space A.

Furthermore, thanks to the above described features, the partition wall 10 it is possible to be mounted without further adjustment of the system 1, thus making the mounting simple and fast.

The elastic counteracting means 60 may comprise at least one spring, preferably a pair of springs 61, 62 which may be configured so as to counteract to each other so that the extension of one corresponds to the compression of the other and vice-versa.

More in detail, the spring 61 may be operably connected to the portions 30, 40 and may be configured so as to be elongated when portions 30, 40 are in one of the distal and proximal positions and so as to be compressed when portions 30, 40 are in the other of distal and proximal positions.

On the other hand, the spring 62 may be operably connected with the portions 30, 40 and may be configured so as to be compressed when portions 30, 40 are in one of distal and proximal positions and so as to be elongated when portions 30, 40 are in the other of distal and proximal positions.

Possibly, the springs 61, 62 may be substantially equal each other and reciprocally arranged so that in the operative position the springs 61, 62 are substantially unloaded and/or loaded with an equal load.

As particularly shown in Figs. 8 and 9, a tubular element 32 may be provided, the tubular element 32 may include a pair of annular projections 33, 33' placed at the ends of the same tubular element 32 to counteract the springs 61, 62.

On the other hand, the horizontal wall 46 of the portion 40 may comprise an upper face 47 facing the horizontal wall 36 of the portion 30 and a lower face 47' opposite.

Suitably, the horizontal wall 46 may comprise a passing through hole 46' for the tubular element 32 so that once the tubular element 32 is inserted into the passing through hole 46', the annular projections 33, 33' are opposite with respect to the same horizontal wall 46.

In particular, the spring 61 may be interposed between the annular projection 33 and the upper face 47 while the spring 62 may be interposed between the lower face 47' and the annular projection 33'.

As shown in the annexed figures, one of the annular projection 33' may be deformable so as to facilitate the insertion of the tubular element 32 into the passing through hole 46' and disadvantage the disengagement thereof.

It is to be understood that the horizontal wall 46 and the tubular element 32 may slide each other, whereas the portion 40 may be maintained in the operative position by the springs 61, 62.

For example, when the portions 30, 40 are in the proximal position, the horizontal wall 46 may be close to the annular projection 33 and the spring 61 may be compressed, and when the portions 30, 40 are in the distal position, the horizontal wall 46 may be close to the annular projection 33' and the spring 62 may be compressed.

Advantageously, the tubular appendix 31 may also pass through the passing through hole 46', and the tubular element 32 may be arranged coaxially to the same tubular appendix 31 to slide thereon.

In order to promote the sliding of the tubular element 32 with respect to the tubular appendix 31, a cap 55 coupled with the tubular element 32 may be provided, the cap 55 and the tubular element 32 may be reciprocally configured to be snap coupled by a male-female system of known type.

Possibly, as shown in the annexed figures, the cap 55 may be constituted of two pieces coupled together.

In any case, the cap 55 may comprise a cylindrical side wall 56 coaxially placed to the screw 52 in correspondence of the head 53 thereof. In particular, this cylindrical side wall 56 may have a free end 57 substantially curved to interact with the annular projection 33' of the tubular element 32 so as to be snap coupled with the latter. It is understood that when the latter are coupled, the spring 62 may remain interposed between the curved end 57 and the face 47' of the horizontal wall 46 so that the latter are the abutment surface for the same spring 62.

Thanks to these features, upon the screwing/unscrewing of the screw 52 with respect to the female thread element 51 to vary the operative position of the portions 30, 40 as above described, the tubular element 32 may slide with respect to the tubular appendix 31. In particular, the head 53 of the screw 52 may therefore remain interposed between the tubular element 32 and the cap 55.

In this way, upon the screwing of the screw 52, the head 53 thereof may abut against the tubular element 32 to promote the approach thereof to the portion 30. On the other hand, upon the unscrewing, the head 53 of the screw 52 may act on the cap 55 to promote the removal thereof. In particular, the end 57 of the cap 55 may abut against the annular projection 33' so as to promote the removal of the tubular element 32 from the portion 30.

Suitably, as particularly shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, upon the approach or removal of the sheet 11 with respect to the ceiling C, the former may always be coupled with the portion 40 of the supporting profile 20.

For this purpose, the portion 40 may comprise at least one seat 41 for connecting the supporting profile 20 with the sheet 11.

As particularly illustrated in Fig. 3, at least one connecting profile 70 may be provided, the connecting profile 70 may comprise an end 71 which is integral with the sheet 11 and an end 72 which may be engaged with the seat 41 so as to mount/dismount partition wall 10 on/from the supporting profile 20.

In particular, the end 71 of the connecting profile 70 may comprise a male element 73, while the peripheral edge 12 of the sheet 11 may comprise a corresponding female element 15.

More in detail, the peripheral edge 12 may comprise a longitudinal concavity 15 defining the female element which may have a shape such that once the male element 73 is engaged with the female element 15 the former is interposed between the outer faces 13, 14 of the sheet 11.

The longitudinal concavity 15 may have a pair of longitudinal side walls 16 facing each other, while the male element 73 may comprise a corresponding pair of side walls 74 susceptible to remain facing the side walls 16.

Although not shown in the annexed figures, it is understood that the end 71 may comprise the female element 15, while the peripheral edge 12 may include the male element 73 without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is understood that the male and female elements may have any shape, provided that this shape promotes the reciprocal coupling thereof by counteracting the weight force of the sheet-like element 11.

Advantageously, the female and male elements may have an elongated shape defining an axis Y. Preferably, the latter may be substantially vertical, as illustrated in the annexed figures, or inclined with respect to the horizontal. Thus, the weight strength of the sheet-like element 11 may always have a vertical component that may promote the decoupling of the male and female elements.

Suitably, the system 1 may comprise at least one elastomeric element 90 interposed between the female and male elements 15, 73 and more particularly between the pairs of longitudinal side walls 16, 74 of the respective female and male elements 15, 73.

The elastomeric element 90 may thus be configured to deform upon the coupling between the end 71 of the connecting profile 70 and the sheet 11 so as to firmly frictionally couple the latter to form an unitary assembly 100. In Fig. 4 an example of such a unitary assembly 100 is shown.

In this way, once the unitary assembly 100 is mounted on the supporting profile 20, the sheet 11 may be supported at its top without the need for further supports in its lower part.

More in detail, the elastomeric element 90 may comprise a pair of longitudinal walls 91 susceptible to remain interposed between the pairs of longitudinal side walls 16, 74 of the female and male elements 15, 73.

Suitably, in order to promote the friction between the latter, the elastomeric element 90 may comprise a main body 91' with longitudinal walls 91 and a plurality of lips 92 which extend transversely with respect to the latter to come in contact with the longitudinal pair of side walls 16 for frictionally acting thereon.

In particular, the lips 92 may have a converging shape towards the pair of longitudinal walls 91 so as to promote the insertion of the elastomeric element 90 into the longitudinal concavity 15 and to prevent the removal thereof.

Moreover, the elastomeric element 90 may comprise a plurality of grooves 95 susceptible to remain facing the longitudinal side walls 74 of the male element 73 which may include corresponding grooves 75 susceptible to interact with the grooves 95 so as to increase the mechanic grip between the male element 73 and the elastomeric element 90 when coupled.

Due to these features, the mechanic grip of the unitary assembly 100 may be particularly high. For example, once the unitary assembly 100 is mounted on the supporting profile 20 the entire weight of the sheet 11 may be supported by the mechanical grip.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the elastomeric element 90 may be designed so as once interposed between the sheet-like element 11 and the connecting profile 70, the latter are reciprocally spaced apart.

Thus, the elastomeric element 90 may also act as gasket and/or insulation so the partition wall 10, and more generally the system 1, has acoustic insulation properties.

The end 72 of the connecting profile 70 and the seat 41 of the portion 40 are reciprocally configured such that once mutually engaged, the reciprocally sliding along a direction substantially parallel to the direction defined by the axis X may be allowed.

In this way, at the beginning the operator may couple the male 73 and female 15 elements with the interposition of the elastomeric element 90 to define the unitary assembly 100, then the operator may engage the latter with the seat 41 so that the supporting profile 20 supports the sheet 11 and lastly the operator may move the latter along such a direction substantially parallel to the axis X to place the sheet 11 in the desired position.

Possibly, at first the elastomeric element 90 may be coupled to the male element 73 and subsequently the latter may be inserted into the female seat 15. In particular, as shown in Fig. 4, thanks to the reciprocal configuration of the elastomeric element 90 and the male element 73 the coupling between the latter may be particularly fast.

Generally, thanks to this features, the mounting of the unitary assembly 100 may be particularly fast and simple.

Possibly, the system 1 may comprise at least one blocking element 80 susceptible to act on the supporting profile 20 and the connecting profile 70 to maintain the reciprocal engagement of the seat 41 and the end 72 once the latter are reciprocally engaged.

The blocking element 80 may be removably snap coupled with the supporting profile 20 so as to allow the selective engagement/disengagement of the seat 41 of the portion 40 and of the end 72 of the connecting profile 70.

For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the blocking element 80 may be shaped so as to fill the space of the seat 41 which is not filled by the end 72 so that the latter may not be disengaged from the former.

The snap coupling may be achieved by a male-female system. In particular, the seat 41 may comprise a male element, while the blocking element 80 may include the corresponding female element.

Suitably, the blocking element 80 may comprise a shaped cover 82 susceptible to be shown at sight once coupled with the seat 41 and a plastic element 83 substantially "C" shaped defining the female element.

The shaped cover 82 and the plastic element 83 may also be reciprocally snap coupled.

In this way, at the beginning the operator may couple the plastic element 83 with the male element of the seat 41 and later the operator may couple the shaped cover 82 with the plastic element 83.

Suitably, the shaped cover 82 may be configured so that once coupled with the seat 41, the latter and the profile 20 appear to be continuous at sight.

Moreover, the blocking element 80 may include a curved portion 81 acting on the connecting profile 70 to prevent the reciprocal sliding along a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis X of the connecting profile 70 and the portion 40 of the supporting profile 20. This way, the risk of sheet 11 falling is avoided.

Preferably, as shown in Fig. 3, the shaped cover 83 may include such curved portion

81 which may act on the end 71 of the same connecting profile 70.

In this way, the system 1 may be particularly safe.

Suitably, the blocking element 80 may integrally slide with the portion 40 of the supporting profile 20 so as not to obstruct the adjusting means 50 and/or the elastic counteracting means 60.

Furthermore, thanks to the above mentioned features, at the beginning the operator may make the unitary assembly 100 formed by the sheet 11, the elastomeric element 90 and the connecting profile 70. Such operation may be carried out in the space A or, advantageously, it may be carried out in a different location and only later the unitary assembly 100 may be carried in the space A.

On the other hand, at any time the operator may mount the supporting profile 20 to the ceiling C and define the operative position by the adjusting means 50.

Operatively, therefore, the unitary assembly 100 assembly may be approached to the supporting profile 20 by the operator until the end 72 of the former engages the seat 41 of the latter so that the supporting profile 20 supports the whole unitary assembly 100.

The latter is later moved along the axis X until the desired position is reached. Once this position is detected, the insertion of the blocking element 80 may firmly block the unitary assembly 100 to the supporting profile 20.

In the event of mistakes during the adjustment or the unitary assembly 100 and/or the supporting profile 20 have irregularities, the elastic counteracting means 60 may act as above described to compensate for such irregularities, avoiding both the damage of system

1 and the stop of the mounting operations thereof.

Although a supporting profile 20 having a portion 40 comprising a seat 41 for a respective sheet 11 (Fig. 2) has been described, portion 40 may have another seat 41 for coupling with a respective sheet 11 in a analogous manner to the one above described (Fig. 1).

Moreover, as particularly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the system 1 may include a finishing cover 85 to conceal the supporting profile 20 to the view so as to further improve the aesthetic appeal of the system 1.

Although a system has been described wherein the means for connecting the sheet- like element 11 to the ceiling C include the profile 20 fixed to the latter and the profile 70 fixed to the sheet-like element 11 it is understood that the system 1 may include any connecting means without departing from the scope of the annexed claims.

For example, a single profile fixed to the ceiling C may be provided, on which the sheet-like element 11 is fixed.

From the above description, it appears evident that the invention fulfils the intended objects. The invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations. All the details may be replaced with other technically equivalent elements, and the materials may be different according to the requirements, without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the annexed claims.