DESCRIPTION

The present invention generally relates to the field systems for partitioning indoor spaces, in particular for offices, museums, shops or the like, and in particular it relates to a multifunction system and a kit for obtaining such a system.

State of the Art

Systems for partitioning spaces comprising a ceiling and a floor, for example a so-called "open space office", a shop, a museum or the like, are known.

Such systems generally include a plurality of upper beams connected to the ceiling or false ceiling and a plurality of lower profiles connected or inserted into the floor or raised floor.

Therefore, known is the need to provide partitioning walls with different configuration depending on the requirements. For example, the partitioning walls can be continuous fixed walls, walls with door and/or walls with door and transom, and all can be transparent or blind and they can be made with a single glass sheet or with a pair of glass sheets.

To this end, the existing systems need to provide a plurality of different profiles or beams depending on the type of walls to be installed.

Furthermore, such spaces generally provide for manufacturing a false ceiling, while the bearing beams are suitable to concealably house one or more accessories, such as for example alarms, lights, electrical cables, data cables, pipes for air conditioning, partitioning walls or the like.

Even in this case, the known systems require providing a plurality of different beams depending on the accessories that they are required to house.

Therefore, such known systems force operators to prepare the different types of beams and support profiles depending on the function to be carried out in the space. This entails a high expenditure of time, high costs and a high risk of error during the supply and/or assembly step.

Furthermore, such types of spaces are subject to frequent configuration variation operations, for example with reference to the type of partitioning walls, to the positioning thereof and/or to the type of accessories (for example, the lighting positioning).

Such known systems have the disadvantage of not allowing easy reconfiguration of the spaces.

Generally, such known partitioning systems can be improved in various aspects. For example, a further drawback lies in the fact that it does not allow to provide a partitioning wall with door and transom in a simple, quick and cost-effective manner.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to at least partly overcome the drawbacks illustrated above, by providing a system for partitioning a space highly functional and cost-effective.

An object of the invention is to provide a system for partitioning a space that allows to vary the configuration thereof in a simple and cost-effective manner.

An object of the invention is to provide a system for partitioning a space that allows to provide a partitioning wall with a transom in a simple and cost-effective manner.

An object of the invention is to provide a system for partitioning a space that allows to provide a partitioning wall with a door in a cost-effective manner.

An object of the invention is to provide is to provide a system for partitioning a space that minimises installation time.

An object of the invention is to provide a system for partitioning a space that has a high aesthetic appeal.

An object of the invention is to provide a multifunction partitioning system.

A further object of the invention is to provide a kit for manufacturing a modular support profile.

These and other objects which will be more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a system for partitioning a space as described, illustrated and/or claimed herein in claims 1 to 35.

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent in light of the detailed description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a system 1, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a schematic side view of a partitioning system 1 comprising a partitioning wall 10 with a door 61 and a transom 52;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are an exploded view of a beam 20 with an accessory 140, with FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 show some embodiments of partitioning systems 1 comprising the accessory 140;

FIGS. 9, 10 and 13 are an exploded view of a beam 20 with an accessory 130, with FIGS. 11 and 12 showing some embodiments of partitioning systems 1 without the accessory 130;

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a modular profile 30, with FIGS. 15 and 16 showing some embodiments of the modular profile 30;

FIGS. 17, 18 and 10 are an exploded view of a kit 400 for manufacturing a support module 401;

FIGS. 20, 22, 25, 27 are schematic sectional views of different embodiments of partitioning systems 1 comprising one or more support modules 401, with FIGS. 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 29 showing enlarged views of some details of FIGS. 20, 22, 25, 27;

FIG. 30 is a schematic top view of a partitioning wall 10 with a door 61, FIGS. 31 and 32 are enlarged views of some details of FIG. 30, FIG. 33 is a lateral view of some details of the partitioning wall 10.

Detailed description of some preferred embodiments

With reference to the aforementioned figures, herein described is a system 1 for partitioning a space E having a ceiling C and a floor F. For example, such type of spaces E may be of the "open space" type, may be an office, a shop, a museum or the like.

Hereinafter and in the attached figures, reference will be made to a single partitioning wall 10 without limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. As a matter of fact, the partitioning system 1 may comprise at least one partitioning wall 10, preferably a plurality of partitioning walls 10 which may be the same or different from each other.

In particular, as better specified hereinafter, depending on the configuration of the partitioning walls 10, they may be blind or transparent, fixed or they may comprise a door, they may be of the single sheet or multi-sheet type.

Essentially, the partitioning system 1 may therefore comprise a support upper beam or bearing profile 20, or a plurality thereof, which can be coupled with the ceiling C in a per se known manner. The support profiles 20 may thus be structural or not. For example, they may be sections, beams or crosspieces.

For the sake of simplicity of description, hereinafter reference will be made to the beam 20 alone.

The beam 20 may remain exposed or it may support a plurality of panels 5 so as to obtain a false ceiling. In particular, a plurality of panels 5 of the false ceiling and a plurality of elements 6 for the mutual connection of the panels 5 and the beams 20 may be present.

Once the panels 5 and the beam 20 have been connected, the latter may cooperate to define a main extension plane of the false ceiling p. On the other hand, the partitioning walls 10 may define a plane p'.

Preferably but not exclusively, the plane p may be a substantially horizontal plane, while the plane p' may be a substantially vertical plane perpendicular to the plane p.

The beam 20 may have a substantially longitudinal extension defining an axis X and it may comprise a pair of side walls 21,22 facing each other and an upper wall 23 designed to be faced to the ceiling C.

The side walls 21,22 may extend in respective planes substantially perpendicular to the false ceiling, i.e. they may be substantially perpendicular to the upper wall 23, so that the beam 20 has a substantially "C"-shaped cross-section.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the beam 20 may have a particularly small height. For example, it may have a height of lower than 100 mm, preferably lower than 75 mm.

Thanks to such characteristic, the beam 20 may have little aesthetic impact even when it is not recessed, for example when the false ceiling is not present. Furthermore, the beam 20 may be coupled with a ceiling so as to remain outside the same, i.e. not recessed.

The side walls 21,22 of the beams 20 may comprise an upper end 212,222 at the upper wall 23 and an opposite end 213,223 facing toward the floor F.

It is clear that the side walls 21,22 may be partitioned into two or more portions, without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

In the preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the attached figures, the side walls 21, 22 may have upper portions 2100', 2200' arranged at a first predetermined distance do and lower portions 2100", 2200" arranged at a second predetermined distance do greater than said first predetermined distance do.

The side walls 21, 22 may have inner surfaces 210', 220' and outer surfaces 210", 220", the latter being designated to remain facing the panels 5.

Elements 16 for the connection with the corresponding connection elements 6 of the panels 5 may be arranged outside the beam 20. For example, the connection elements 16 may be seats or female elements 16' arranged at the outer surfaces 210", 220", while the connection elements 6 may be male elements 6'.

Possibly, the connection elements 16, 6 may be mutually snap-coupled.

It is clear that the aforementioned male and female elements may also be inverted without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims. For example, the connection elements 6 may include the female element and the connection elements 16 may include the male element.

It is clear that such connection elements 16, 6 may be of any type without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

The beam 20 and the panel 5 may be coupled so as to allow the mutual sliding along a direction substantially parallel to the axis X and to prevent mutual sliding thereof along a direction substantially perpendicular with respect to the same axis X, i.e. they may prevent the decoupling of the beam 20 and of the panel 5.

This may allow to connect the panels 5 and the beam 20 in a simple and quick manner, without using screws, bolts or similar fixing elements. Furthermore, such characteristic may also allow to slightly vary the positioning of the panel 5 even when it is already connected to the beam 20.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, for example as illustrated in FIG. 11, the beam 20 may be configured to support panels 5 of different types, in particular of different thickness.

To this end, an accessory 40 that can be selectively coupled to the beam 20 so as to support panels 5 of small thickness may be provided for. In particular, the outer surface 210" 220" of the side walls 21, 22 may comprise an area 211, 221 configured to allow the snap-coupling of the accessory 40 with the beam 20.

For example, the area 211, 221 may comprise one or more male and/or female elements, while the accessory may comprise corresponding female and/or male elements.

It is clear that the accessory 40 may be a suitably shaped longitudinal profile having a portion 41 for coupling with the area 211, 221 and a portion 42 for coupling with the panels 5, preferably with the elements 6 thereof. Advantageously, irrespectively of the type of panels 5, once the latter have been coupled to the beam 20, the panels 5 and the beam 20 may be substantially flushed. Preferably, the panels 5 may be substantially flushed with the ends 213, 223 of the walls 21, 22.

In other words, the beam 20 may be substantially recessed so as not to interrupt the visual continuity of the false ceiling even when the beam 20 is without accessories.

This may advantageously allow to install the beam 20 irrespectively of the type of panels 5, or of the type of partitioning wall 10, or, as better explained hereinafter, irrespectively of the type of accessory coupled thereto.

The side walls 21, 22 and the upper wall 23 may thus cooperate with each other to define a compartment 24 open at the lower part to removably receive one or more accessories 100, that carry out one or more functions in the space E.

Suitably, all the accessories 100 may be coupled with the beam 20. Such accessories 100 may be of different type as better explained hereinafter.

This may advantageously allow to manufacture, prepare and install only one type of beam 20 which may therefore carry out different functions depending on the presence or absence of accessories 40, 100, and the type of accessories 40, i.e. the external accessories, and/or the type of accessories 100, i.e. the internal accessories.

The internal accessories 100 may therefore be removably coupled with the beam 20. This will allow to vary the configuration of the space E at will. Furthermore, this will firstly allow to install the beams 20 and only subsequently decide and/or mount the different types of accessories 100 to carry out one or more functions in the space.

Preferably, the beam 20 may be arranged above, i.e. it can be connected to the ceiling C.

The accessories 100 may be of different types, for example, they may be service accessories such as lighting devices, lights, emergency lights, fire safety alarms, cable glands/ducts, smoke and/or presence detection sensor, speakers and/or the like. On the other hand, the accessories 100 may be accessories for supporting a partitioning wall 10.

For example, FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of a beam 20 suitable to house a light 110. In particular, such beam 20 is coupled both with external accessories 40 for obtaining the false ceiling C and with internal accessories 100.

In particular, the compartment 24 internally houses a light 110 and a connection profile 111 coupled with the inner surfaces 210', 220' of the respective side walls 21, 22.

On the other hand, the beam 20 has the wall 21 coupled with a type of panels 5 by means of the connection element 16 and the wall 22 coupled with a different type of panels 5 having a greater thickness.

Preferably, the lights 110, the profile 111 and the panels 5 may all be substantially flushed so that there is visual continuity by the user so as to confer high aesthetic appeal to the space E.

As schematically illustrated in FIG. 13, the beam 20 may be coupled with at least one longitudinal closing profile 120 so that the latter and the panels 5 are substantially flushed. In this manner, even when the beam 20 does not carry out any function in the space E it may be possible to avoid jeopardising the aesthetic appearance thereof.

Generally, the partitioning accessories 100 have different dimensions, in particular with reference to the width LA of the opening 25 of the compartment 24.

As a matter of fact, beams of different dimensions are generally used depending on the dimensions of the accessories to be coupled thereto. Possibly, one or more different profiles are used depending on the dimensions of the beams and/or the accessories to be coupled thereto.

On the other hand, according to a particular aspect of the invention, a pair of longitudinal profiles 130 that can be selectively removably coupled to the beam 20 so as to vary the width LA of the opening 25 of the compartment 24 may be provided for.

For example, in the industry it is known to provide partitioning walls 10 and/or accessories for the space such as lights having standard widths, in particular 71 mm and 100 mm.

Suitably, the opening 25 of the compartment 24 of the beam 20 may have a width LA measuring about 100 mm, while when the longitudinal profiles 130 are coupled with the side walls 21,22 thereof, the opening 25 may have a width LA measuring about 71 mm.

The inner surface 210',220' of the side walls 21,22 same case applying to the faces 133,134 of the longitudinal profiles 130 designed to remain facing the compartment 24 may comprise a plurality of male or female elements 26 to allow the coupling of the different types of accessories 100.

More in detail, the longitudinal profiles 130 may comprise an outer face 131,132 facing the inner surfaces 210',220' of the side walls 21,22 and that can be coupled thereto, and an inner face 133,134 that can be coupled with one or more accessories or profiles as better explained hereinafter.

It is clear that in the absence of the longitudinal profiles 130, the distance between the inner surfaces 210',220' at the lower end 213,223 of the side walls 21,22 may define the width LA of the opening 25, while when the longitudinal profiles 130 are coupled to the area 210 ,220 of the inner surfaces 210',220' at the lower ends 213,223, the distance between the faces 133,134 may define the width of the opening 25.

The profiles 130 may be coupled to the beam 20 in a removable fashion and preferably in a snap- coupled fashion. Suitable male or female elements of the per se known type may be provided for to this end.

In any case, the accessories 130 may be selectively coupled depending on the dimensions and/or configuration of the accessories 100.

For example, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show the beam 20 with accessories 130 suitable to support different embodiments of a partitioning wall 10, while FIG. 12 shows a beam 20 without accessories 130 suitable to support a further embodiment of a partitioning wall 10, in particular a plasterboard wall. FIG. 11 shows a beam 20 without accessories 130 suitable to support a light while FIG. 13 shows a beam 20 with the accessories 130 and a closing element 120.

In other words, the beam 20 may house a different plurality of accessories 100 to carry out different functions in the space E, same case applying to different types of partitioning walls 10.

Essentially, the partitioning walls 10 may comprise at least one fixed partitioning element 50, for example a glazed wall 51 or a transom 52, and/or at least one movable partitioning element 60, for example a door 61 or a slidable door 62. As better explained hereinafter, the partitioning wall 10 may further comprise a support structure 70 for supporting such fixed and movable partitioning elements 50, 60.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the beam 20 may be configured to house partitioning walls 10 comprising planar partitioning elements 12, preferably glass sheets 12 which may differ numerically and/or size-wise, or planar insulating or plasterboard elements as for example schematically illustrated in FIG. 12.

To this end, the side walls 21, 22 may have upper portions 2100', 2200' arranged at a distance d3 and lower portions 2100", 2200" arranged at a distance d4 greater than d3.

As known in the industry, the glass sheets 12 frequently differ from each other slightly in the order of a few millimetres, same case applying to the distance between the floor F and the ceiling C which may vary within the same space E.

Such variations may jeopardise the acoustic insulation same case applying to the aesthetic appearance of the space E which may sometimes also jeopardise the safety of the partitioning system 1.

Although the present text describes planar partitioning elements 12 consisting of glass sheets, it is clear that they may be sheets made of wood, cork or the like.

Suitably, the system 1 may comprise one or more accessories 140 suitable to support a partitioning wall 10 having one or more glass sheets 12.

Such accessory 140, like the other accessories 100, may be removably snap-coupled to the beam 20. Preferably, the accessory 140 may be a longitudinal profile.

In particular, the accessory 140 may cooperate with the beam 20 to internally define at least one seat 145 for housing the glass sheet 12. Preferably, the accessory 140 may be configured to cooperate with the beam 20 so as to form the central seat 145 and a pair of side seats 146.

Such seats 145, 146 may be suitable to house the glass sheet 12, and in particular the upper edge 12' of the glass sheet 12.

It is clear that, in a per se known manner, elastomeric elements 3, 3' interposed between the longitudinal profiles 100 and the glass sheets 12 may be provided for. The partitioning wall 10 may therefore comprise a substantially planar fixed partitioning element 50 which may comprise one or more glass sheets 12.

Suitably, the longitudinal profile 140 is configured so as to be coupled with the beam 20 to house the glass sheets 12 of different types of fixed planar elements 50.

For example, FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 schematically illustrate fixed planar elements 50 respectively comprising a single sheet 12 in a central position, i.e. inserted into the seat 145, a single sheet 12 in an off-centred position, i.e. inserted into one of the seats 146, and a pair of sheets 12 inserted into the pair of seats 146.

The longitudinal profile 140 may partition the compartment 24 into an upper half-compartment 24' and a lower half-compartment 24" superimposed on each other.

More in detail, the profile 140 comprises an upper wall 143 and a pair of longitudinal side walls 141, 142 extending therefrom cooperating with each other to internally define the seat 145.

In other words, the side walls 21, 22 and the side walls 141, 142 may cooperate to define the seats 146 and the central seat 145. In particular, the seats 146 may be laterally delimited by the side walls 141 and 142 and by the inner area 210 and 220 of the side walls 21 and 22 or, if the longitudinal profiles 130 are present, by the faces 133 and 134 of the latter.

Such longitudinal seats 145, 146 may have a pair of portions 144 extending from the upper wall 143 on opposite sides with respect thereto. Such portions 144 may comprise an end 144' which may be coupled to the inner surface 210', 220' of the side walls 21, 22 of the beam 20.

In other words, the profile 140 may be generically shaped to form a "p" shape in which the portions 144 have a portion 1440 substantially inclined or curved with respect to the wall 143.

In particular, the end 144' may be coupled at the surface 2102' and 2202 of the inner surface 210', 220'. Such surfaces 2102', 2202' may be in proximity of the upper wall 23 of the beam 20 so as to define the coupling areas 211, 221.

In this manner, the longitudinal seats 146 may have a particularly high height h2 which may be substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the extension of the side walls 21, 22.

Thanks to such characteristic, the glass sheets 12 may always be inserted into the longitudinal seats 146 without the need to intervene thereon or on the beam 20 even in case of the size variations described above.

Furthermore, the height h2 may be greater than the maximum height hi of the longitudinal seat 145, so that the upper half-compartment 24' has sufficient space for the ducts or cables to pass through.

Flowever, the upper wall 143 may have an overturned "U-shaped" portion 1430, so as to allow compensation of the size of the glass sheet 12.

Furthermore, since the portions 144'are coupled at the upper surfaces 2102' and 2202', and the profiles 130 are coupled at the areas 210 and 2202', the profiles 130 and the profile 140 may be selectively coupled pr de-coupled independently of each other.

Thanks to such characteristic, the system 1 may allow easy configuration variation operations.

Advantageously, when the profile 140 is coupled to the beam 20, the latter may support a partitioning wall 10 with a fixed element 50 as described above and/or with a movable element 60, for example a slidable one.

More in detail, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 8, an additional slider accessory 150 slidable inside the seat 145 so as to support a slidable partitioning wall 10 may be provided for. For example, a seat 146 may house the glass sheet 12 of the fixed element 50 of the wall 10, while the seat 145 can house the slider accessory 150 for the movable element 60 which may be a slidable door 62.

More in detail, the walls 141, 142 may comprise a respective inner face 14 , 142' each comprising a respective longitudinal guide element 147, 147' for slidably supporting the slider accessory 150, and in particular the sliders or wheels 151 thereof.

For example, the longitudinal guide elements 147, 147' may include a guide rail, a projection or the like. Preferably, each of the longitudinal guide elements 147, 147' may comprise a substantially "U- shaped" seat susceptible to at least partially receive one of the sliders or wheels 151 of the slider accessory 150.

Furthermore, the walls 141, 142 may comprise respective longitudinal seats 148, 148' with substantially "C-shaped" portions for the insertion of a respective elastomeric support element 3, 3', and more particularly susceptible to receive the rear coupling portion 3010 thereof opposite the front support portion 3000.

The longitudinal guide elements 147, 147' and longitudinal seats 148, 148' may be arranged at the operative end areas of the walls 141, 142, in particular at portions 1470, 1470' projecting toward the internal of the seat 145 with a respective upper area 1471, 147 defining the respective longitudinal guide element 147, 147' and respective side areas 1472, 1472' facing each other to define the longitudinal seats 148, 148'.

Advantageously, the upper area 1471, 1471' and the side one 1472, 1472' of each of the projecting portions 1470, 1470' may be mutually consecutive and one in proximity of the other.

In this manner, the seat 145 may selectively house a glass sheet 12 or the slider accessory 150.

The system according to the invention may have a high aesthetic value, because all the elements are completely integrated in the compartment 24 of the beam 20 so that nothing protrudes from the plane p defined by the opening 25.

Advantageously, the longitudinal profiles 130 may be susceptible to cooperate with the longitudinal profile 140 to define the seats 146.

To this end, the faces 133, 134 of the longitudinal profiles 130 and the side walls 141, 142 may comprise a respective end portion 1300', 1410' projecting toward the internal of the longitudinal seat 146 which includes longitudinal seats 1300,1410 for the support elements 3 of the glass sheets 12.

Advantageously, the width of the longitudinal profile 140 may be substantially equal to the distance d4, which in turn may be equal to the distance between the longitudinal profiles 130.

Possibly, the partitioning system 1 may comprise at least one beam 20 arranged at the top and a profile 30 arranged at the bottom. For example, if a partitioning wall 10 is present, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 2, the beam 20 arranged at the top to connect the glass sheets 12 and the ceiling F and the profile 30 arranged at the bottom to connect the sheets 12 and the floor F may be provided for.

The profile 30 may be shaped and configured differently in a per se known manner. For example, should the partitioning wall 10 comprise one or more glass sheets 12, the profile 30 may comprise one or more seats 34,35 for the same.

Essentially, a partitioning wall 10 which may comprise the fixed 50 and/or movable 60 elements, and a support structure 70 which may comprise the beam 20 and/or longitudinal profiles 30, may be provided for.

In particular, a plurality of longitudinal profiles 30 cooperating with each other to define a frame 710 may be provided for. For example, the longitudinal profiles 30 may be connected to bearing elements 8 such as the ceiling C, the floor F, or beams 20, walls, uprights 72,73, crosspieces 71 or the like.

For the sake of simplicity, herein described is the modular profile connected to the floor F so as to define a lower support profile, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 15 e in FIG. 16. It is clear that the profile 30 may be similarly connected with any other bearing element 8, for example with the beam 20 or with uprights 72,73.

According to a particular embodiment, the system 1 may comprise a longitudinal profile 31, it may comprise a base wall 313 defining a plane p2 which may be coupled with the bearing element 8, for example the floor F.

The profile 31 may further comprise a pair of side walls 311,312 facing each other and extending from the base wall 313 to form a seat 34 for the plate-like element 12.

Suitably, the side wall 311 may have a height H2 while the side wall 312 may have a height H3.

Advantageously, the height H3 may be particularly small, for example it may be smaller than 15 mm, preferably about 10 mm.

Furthermore, the height H3 may be smaller than the height H2. In other words, the profile 31 may be shaped to substantially form a U wherein the side walls have different heights.

Thanks to such characteristic, the plate-like element 12 may be inserted substantially parallel to the plane p2, and i.e. transversely with respect to the plane p' of the partitioning wall 10.

Thus, this will allow to mount the plate-like element 12 in a simple and quick manner.

For example, should there be a pair of profiles 30 on opposite sides, the plate-like element 12- which may be formed by a single glass plate - may be inserted transversely. The plate-like element 12 may thus remain in position inside the seat 34.

On the other hand, according to a particular embodiment, the partitioning system 1 may comprise a modular profile 30 which may therefore comprise one or more modules 31, 32, 33. The latter may also be longitudinal profiles.

Possibly, a kit comprising one or more of such modules 31, 32, 33 or a plurality of said modules that may be selectively snap-coupled together to form the modular profile 30 as better described hereinafter may be provided for.

Preferably, but not exclusively, the base module 31 of the kit for making the modular profile 30 may be the profile 31 described above having the side walls 312, 311 of different heights.

However, it is clear that the base module 31 of the kit for making the modular profile 30 may also be substantially U-shaped and it may have the side walls 312, 311 of the same height. In particular, the latter may be particularly small, as described above, or it may be high, approximately equal to H3 or higher.

Essentially, the modular profile 30 may be configured to house one or more planar partitioning elements 12, for example one or two glass sheets 12, and it may therefore comprise an area 30' for housing such sheets 12.

More in detail, the modular profile 30 may comprise the base module 31 and a pair of modules 32, 33 that can be selectively alternately coupled to the base module 31 to form a profile 30 having a pair of outer faces 301, 302 designed to remain exposed and one or more seats 34, 35 for the glass sheets 12 interposed between the outer faces 301, 302.

In particular, the modular profile 30 may comprise a single seat 34 for the glass sheet 12 or a pair of seats 34, 35 for a pair of glass sheets 12.

More in detail, the base module 31 may comprise a base wall 313, a side wall 311 and a coupling area 314 opposite the side wall 311. The outer face of the side wall 311 may therefore define the outer face 301 of the modular profile 30.

The modules 32, 33 may comprise a respective area 324, 334 for coupling with the area 314 of the module 31.

The areas 324, 334 and the area 314 are mutually configured so that, once coupled, they define a side wall 312 facing the side wall 311. In other words, the side walls 311, 312, 313 may thus cooperate to define the seat 34.

The module 32 may be substantially planar-shaped and it may therefore comprise a face 325 which includes the coupling area 324 and an opposite face 326 which may define the outer face 302 of the modular profile 30.

In this manner, once coupled with the module 31, the modular profile 30 may have the two faces 301, 302 exposed and a width LA2 substantially equal to or slightly greater than the seat 34 and therefore than the glass sheet 12.

In other words, as schematically shown in FIG. 15, when the partitioning wall 10 comprises only one glass sheet 12, the modular profile 30 with the modules 31, 32 may be positioned at the bottom, so that it has minimum overall dimensions.

Furthermore, this will allow to have a high aesthetic appeal on one or both faces 101, 102 of the partitioning wall 10.

The module 33 may comprise an area 334 for coupling with the area 314 of the base module 31 to define the wall 312 and a shaped portion 36 which includes a pair of facing walls 337, 338 defining the seat 35.

Suitably, the shaped portion 36 is spaced from the region 334 so that the seats 34 and 35 are also spaced from each other.

The area 334 may be substantially similar to the area 324 so that the seat 334 has the same configuration irrespective of the module 32 or 33. Furthermore, this will allow the operator to selectively couple the module 32 or the module 31 with the same basic module 31.

The module 33 may therefore also have the face 336 opposite to the area 334 facing the wall 337 and spaced therefrom. In this case, the wall 338 may have an outer face defining the face 302 of the modular profile 30.

Suitably, a base wall 333 interposed between the seats 34, 35 and in particular between the wall 337 and the face 336 may also be provided for.

The width of the base wall 333 may substantially define the distance between the two glass sheets 12 inserted into the seats 34 and 35.

Possibly, a closing element 33' positioned at the base wall 33 may be provided for. In this manner, the system 1 may have a high aesthetic appeal.

Preferably, the walls 311, 312 and 324 and 337, 338 same case applying to the faces 301, 302 may entirely have a substantially vertical extension, while the base walls 313, 333 may have a substantially horizontal extension.

Thus, the base module 31 may be operatively arranged and coupled with the bearing element 8, for example a wall. The plate-like element 12 may be inserted transversely so that the latter remains in position inside the seat 34.

Should a single plate-like element 12 be provided for, the module 32 may be coupled to the module 31 and thus lock the plate-like element 12 in the seat 34. For example, glass-holding means 3 of a per se known type may be used should the plate-like element 12 be a glass sheet.

On the other hand, should a pair of plate-like elements 12 be provided for, the module 33 may be coupled with the module 31 and thus the plate-like element 12 may be inserted into the seat 35 in which it can be locked in a per se known manner, similarly to the above description. In any case, the partitioning wall 10 may comprise at least one fixed planar element 50 which may include one or more glass sheets 12, but also blind laminar elements or insulating walls or the like, and at least one support structure 70 for the same.

The partitioning wall 10 may comprise several fixed planar elements 50 or fixed planar elements 50 and movable elements 60.

Essentially, the partitioning wall 10 may comprise the fixed 50 or movable 60 elements continuously extending from the lower profile 30 to the upper profile 20, or at least one crosspiece 71 may be present so that the partitioning wall 10 is formed by at least two parts. For example, a first part comprising the fixed element 51 or the door 61 and a second part including a transom 52.

For example, FIG. 2 shows a partitioning wall 10 with the fixed planar element 51 and the upper surface 52, while FIG. 20 shows a partitioning wall 10 with the door 61 and the transom 52.

The support structure 70 may thus include a support frame which comprises the crosspiece 71 and at least one pair of uprights 72, 73. Possibly, the support structure 70 may comprise the beam 20 and/or the longitudinal profiles 30.

The crosspiece 71 and the uprights 72, 73 may have different shapes depending on the characteristics of the fixed 50 and/or movable 60 elements of the partitioning wall 10.

The shapes may be different depending on the presence of one or two glass sheets 12, depending on the presence of fixed planar elements 51, 52 or on the presence of doors 61. In particular, in the latter case the crosspiece 71 and the uprights 72, 73 may comprise at least one abutment area 4033 for the door 61.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, a kit 400 comprising a plurality of accessories 410, 420, 430, 440, 450 for making both the uprights 72, 73 and the crosspiece 71 of the support frame 70 may be provided for. Such accessories 410, 420, 430, 440, 450 may be longitudinal profiles.

In this manner, the manufacturing, procurement and installation of the support structure 70 can be particularly simple, cost-effective and fast.

Furthermore, such kit 400 may allow assembly irrespectively of the dimensions of the fixed planar elements 51, 52 and/or of the doors 61 by cutting the longitudinal profiles 410, 420, 430, 440, 450 to size on site.

Furthermore, the crosspiece 71 and the uprights 72, 73 may advantageously have seats 4021, 4022, 4031, 4032 for the glass sheets 12 and/or the abutment 4033 for the door 61 only when necessary. In other words, the crosspiece 71 and the uprights 72, 73 may have minimum overall dimensions and a pleasant aesthetic appearance, being devoid of portions or profiles not required to support the fixed 50 and/or movable 60 planar elements.

The kit 400 may therefore comprise the base profile 410 and four profiles 420, 430, 440, 450 that can be selectively coupled to the single base profile 410. Preferably, they may all be snap-coupled, and even more preferably removably coupled.

In other words, depending on the requirements, the base profile 410 may be coupled with one or more of the profiles 420,430,440,450 to form a support module 401 which may therefore define the crosspiece 71 or the upright 72, or the upright 73.

The support module 401 may therefore comprise a pair of opposite portions 402,403 which may support the fixed planar elements 51,52 and/or the door 61.

Depending on the profiles 420,430,440,450 coupled to the profile 410, the portion 402 may comprise a seat 4021 or a pair of seats 4021,4022 for the glass sheets 12, while the portion 403 may comprise a seat 4031 or a pair of seats 4031,4032 for the glass sheets 12 or the abutment area 4033 for the door 61.

Some preferred but not exclusive preferred embodiments of partitioning walls 10 comprising different support modules 401 are described hereinafter.

FIG. 20 shows a partitioning wall 10 with the transom 52 having two glass sheets 12, the door 61 and the base profile 410 coupled with the longitudinal profiles 420,430,440 to form a support module 401 defining the crosspiece 71. The support module 401 may therefore have the seats 4021,4022 and the abutment 4033 for the door 61.

FIG. 22 shows a partitioning wall 10 with the door 61 having two glass sheets 12 and the base profile 410 coupled with the longitudinal profiles 420,430,440 to form a support module 401 defining the uprights 72 and 73. Thus, the support module 401 has the seats 4021,4022 and the abutment 4033 for the door 61.

FIG. 25 shows a partitioning wall 10 with the transom 52 having a glass sheet 12, the door 61 with two glass sheets 12, and the base profile 410 coupled with the longitudinal profiles 420,430,440 to form a support module 401 defining the crosspiece 71. Thus, the support module 401 has the seat 4021 and the abutment 4033 for the door 61.

FIG. 27 shows a partitioning wall 10 with the partitioning fixed element 51 having two glass sheets 12 and the base profile 410 coupled with the longitudinal profiles 420,440,450 to form the module 401 for supporting the fixed planar elements 50. Thus, the support module 401 has the seats 4021,4022 and the seats 4031,4032 for the glass sheets 12.

Essentially, the base profile 410 may therefore have a substantially rectangular cross-section and it may comprise two opposite portions 4101,4102.

The base profile 410 may have a coupling area 411 for the accessories 420 and 430. The coupling area 411 may comprise a protuberance 412 which may cooperate with the accessories 420,430 to define the abutment area 4033.

More in detail, the protuberance 412 may comprise two portions 4121,4122 designed to be coupled with respective seats 421 and 431 of the longitudinal profiles 420 and 430. In other words, the portions 4121, 4122 and the seats 421, 431 may define male and female coupling elements.

Once coupled, the outer surface 432 of the longitudinal profile 430 may act as an abutment surface for the door 61 defining the abutment area 4033 of the support module 401.

Furthermore, the base profile 410 may further comprise at least one coupling area 414, 415 for at least one of the longitudinal profiles 440 and 450. Preferably, the portion 4101 may comprise the coupling area 414 while the opposite portion 4102 may comprise the coupling area 415.

As shown in the attached figures, the portion 4102 may comprise both the area 411 and the area

415.

The latter may comprise a pair of seats 4151, 4152 for corresponding protuberances 451, 452 of the profile 450.

The profile 450 may further comprise at least one seat 453 for supporting the glass sheet 12, and in particular the edge 12' of the latter. In other words, the seat 453 may define the seat 4031 of the support module 401.

Possibly, the base profile 410 may be coupled with the profile 450 and the profile 420 to form the seat 4031 as described above and the seat 4032.

As a matter of fact, the portion 4122 of the protuberance 412 of the base profile 410 may cooperate with a planar portion 422 of the profile 420 to define the seat 4032.

In this manner, depending on which of the profiles 450, 420, 430 is coupled to the base profile 410, the portion 4102 may support a sheet 12, two sheets 12 or the abutment 4033 for the door 61.

On the other hand, the base profile 410 may comprise a coupling area 414 for the longitudinal profile 440. Such area may comprise at least one recess defining a seat 4141 for a corresponding protuberance 441 of the profile 440.

The latter may comprise a seat 443 for supporting the glass sheet 12, and in particular the edge 12' of the latter. In other words, the seat 443 may define the seat 4021 of the support module 401.

The upper portion 4101 of the base profile 410 may further comprise a seat 416 which may define the seat 4022 of the support module 401.

Possibly, such seat 416 may be protected by a removable closing element 416'. In this manner, when the seat 4022 for a glass sheet 12 is not required, the seat 416 may remain hidden from view by the closing element 416'.

The seat 4022 and the seat 4021 may be mutually spaced, similarly, the seat 4031 and the seat 4032 may be spaced apart from each other. In this manner, when a single sheet 12 is present, it may be supported by one of the seats 4021, 4022 or 4031, 4032, while when fixed planar elements 51, 52 are present with a pair of sheets 12, the latter can be supported by both the seats 4021, 4022 or by the seats

4031, 4032.

The partitioning wall 10 may therefore comprise the door 61 as described above, which may comprise a support frame 610 or it may be without it.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the partitioning wall 10 may comprise the support structure 70, which may for example comprise the uprights 72, 73, possibly also the crosspiece 71, and the door 61 which may comprise a perimeter support frame 610 of the glass sheet 12.

Preferably, the upright 72 may rotatably support the door 61, while the upright 73 may act as abutment for the latter.

It is clear that one or both of the uprights 72, 73 may be preferably but not exclusively obtained by means of the kit 200.

Essentially, the door 61 may comprise the perimeter frame 610, the glass sheet 12, handles 611 and a lock assembly 63 operatively connected to the latter. Advantageously, as better explained hereinafter, the lock assembly 63 may be arranged inside the perimeter frame 610.

In this manner, the glass sheet 12 may be without pockets or holes. For example, it may be rectangular-shaped with substantially continuous edges 12'.

In this manner, the glass sheets 12 may be made in a simple and cost-effective manner. For example, they may be made of stratified or laminated glass so as to have high acoustic insulation characteristics.

Possibly, the lock assembly 63 may comprise a latch or deadbolt 632. On the other hand, the upright 73 may comprise a corresponding seat 731 for housing the latch or deadbolt 632 when the door 61 is closed.

The perimeter support frame 610 may comprise at least one vertical portion 6101 with at least one longitudinal profile 612. Preferably, the whole vertical portion 6101 of the frame 610 may be obtained by means of the longitudinal profile 612.

The longitudinal profile 612 may have an outer face 6122 designed to come into contact with the upright 73 of the support structure 70 to act as an abutment and an opposite inner face 6121 for supporting the glass sheet 12.

In particular, the face 6122 may comprise a substantially planar area 6122', while the upright 73 may comprise a corresponding substantially planar area 732. The areas 732 and 6122' may therefore mutually abut in order to define the abutment of the door.

The faces 6121, 6122 may be spaced with respect to each other. In particular, the longitudinal profile 612 may have a substantially rectangular cross-section with the pair of faces 6121, 6122 and the pair of opposite faces 6123, 6124 transverse to the first.

Suitably, the lock assembly 63 may remain interposed between the faces 6121, 6122, preferably between the faces 6121, 6122 and the faces 6123, 6124.

The profile 612 may therefore comprise a through hole 616 for the frame 631. On the other hand, according to a particular embodiment, the profile 612 may be substantially hollow and the faces 6123, 6124 may therefore comprise a respective hole 616 for the frame 631.

The inner face 6121 may comprise at least one seat 613 for the at least one glass sheet 12 or at least one pair of seats 613, 613' for the pair of glass sheets 12.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the partitioning wall 10 may have a pair of substantially continuous opposite faces 101, 102.

In particular, the fixed 50 and/or movable 60 partitioning elements and the support structure 70 may cooperate to define the continuous faces 101, 102 of the partitioning wall 10.

For example, as schematically shown in FIG. 2, the door 61, the support frame 70 and the transom 52 may all be aligned so as to define the continuous faces 101, 102. Also the embodiments of the partitioning walls 10 illustrated in FIG. 22 and FIG. 27 show the continuous faces 101, 102.

Such characteristic is not exclusive. For example, FIG. 25 shows a partitioning wall 10 in which the face 102 is continuous and the opposite face 101 has a discontinuity.

This will allow to have a high aesthetic appeal of the partitioning wall 10 and more generally of the partitioning system 1.

FIG. 30 illustrates a door 61 with the support frame 610 and the lock assembly 63 arranged therein. Even in this case, the partitioning wall 10 may have one or both of the substantially continuous outer faces 101, 102.

More in detail, the seats 613, 613' may be configured in a manner such that the plate or the plates 12 remain substantially flushed with the faces 6123, 6124 in a manner such that the outer face 615 or the outer faces 615, 615' of the door 61 are substantially continuous.

Suitably, one or both of the uprights 72, 73 may have a width substantially equal to the width of the longitudinal profile 612, i.e. they may be substantially flushed.

In this manner, when the door 61 is closed, the latter and the support structure 70 may have substantial visual continuity.

More generally, thanks to such characteristic, the partitioning wall 10 may have one or both faces 101, 102 substantially continuous.

Even if not specified, the profiles or modules described above may all have a substantially longitudinal extension and they may be coupled to each other and/or to the beam 20 in a removable manner, preferably snap-coupled.

Male-female elements of the per se known type may therefore be present to this end.

The invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of protection of the attached claims. All details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements, and the materials can be different depending on the technical needs, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.